The Life Scientist Scoop: September 2024

It's time for another round-up of supportive articles, expert advice, science interviews and our latest news, tailored for life scientists!

This month we've published some fascinating articles on expanding your skill set as a postdoc, disability in STEM, and the Cohort Sistas support program for black women & non-binary people in academia. We also interviewed some inspiring life scientists, including Dr Ruth Carmichael of the University of Exeter who told us all about her recent BBSRC Discovery Fellowship award!

We added a new integrated stress response (ISR) inhibitor to our stem cell product range, and were delighted to have a number of our products cited in an innovative glioblastoma study by Giammello et al!

Let's dig into our September round-up to get the scoop on all things life science!

How to expand your essential postdoc skill set

If you’ve reached postdoc level as a life scientist you’ll already have a wide range of skills and academic experience under your belt. But which essential skills are still missing from your set? Could you use some help with grant writing? Perhaps your time management could be improved?

In this article, we took a closer look at some of the vital skills that form the foundations of postdoc life, and consider how building on them will give you the best chance of success as you prepare yourself for a future tenure-track position! Read the full article here: https://hellobio.com/blog/beyond-the-bench-expanding-your-skill-set-for-a-successful-postdoc.html

Trans-ISRIB: Our new low-cost stem cell small molecules

This month we added Trans-ISRIB, an integrated stress response (ISR) inhibitor to our low-cost range of stem cell small molecules - many of which are around half the price of other suppliers! This product promotes pluripotent stem cell survival as part of the CEPT cocktail.

Don't forget that our SB 431542 & CHIR 99021 are now available in handy 10mM solutions, and new pack sizes are available for γ-secretase inhibitors DAPT & DBZ and our 5* rated ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. Browse all of our stem cell products here: https://hellobio.com/products/cell-process/stem-cells.html

Creating a more inclusive future for disabled scientists

In the world of STEM research, disabled scientists are hugely underrepresented, making up just 3% of the workforce. Lack of awareness, inaccessible working environments and archaic stigmas are just some of the issues that can discourage people with disabilities from pursuing careers in science.

In this article, guest author Aurelia Valente of the University of New Mexico, USA, shares her honest experiences of life as a disabled scientist, and looks at some simple accommodations that could drastically improve the working lives of disabled researchers and make STEM more inclusive for all: https://hellobio.com/blog/creating-a-more-inclusive-future-for-disabled-scientists.html

Applying for fellowships & stepping out of your comfort zone

In the next instalment of our Interviews with Scientists series we were lucky enough to chat with Dr Ruth Carmichael of the University of Exeter who is the recent recipient of a BBSRC Discovery Fellowship award! We took the opportunity to ask her about the application process, her career journey so far, and her advice for others hoping to follow a similar path. She also told us why stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for success in life science: https://hellobio.com/blog/interviews-with-scientists-dr-ruth-carmichael.html

Innovative glioblastoma study uses Hello Bio's Anti-GFAP antibody ValidAb?

Our Anti-GFAP antibody ValidAb? was among several Hello Bio products cited in Cell Communication and Signaling this month. Giammello et al used our anti-GFAP,?anti-βIII Tubulin,?anti-GAPDH,?MTT,?TTX?and more in an innovative study showing that modulating voltage-gated sodium channels enhance differentiation and sensitize glioblastoma cells to chemotherapy. We're always proud to see our products used by researchers in such important studies! Find out more about this and other low-cost biochemicals from Hello Bio: https://hellobio.com/anti-gfap-antibody-validab.html

Valuable support for Black women & non-binary people in academia

This month we also caught up with Dr Joanne Kamens who has recently joined the Board of Directors at Cohort Sistas. This unique initiative was founded in 2020 and offers valuable advice, support and mentoring to a membership community of over 3,000 women and non-binary people of color in academia. Joanne told us more about the aims of objectives of Cohort Sistas, and considers why greater diversity and inclusion in doctoral education can benefit everyone: https://hellobio.com/blog/cohort-sistas-support-for-black-women-and-non-binary-people-in-academia.html

More great resources from Hello Bio

If you enjoyed this newsletter, why not check out the other resources available on our blog. We are passionate about supporting life scientists including early career life scientists and PhD students - with really low-priced reagents, antibodies?and biochemicals, early career scientist grants, and resources to help with both personal and professional development. We know how tough it is - so we hope you find these helpful!

Take a look at our website: hellobio.com