Re: [DIYbio] As a bio-noob, where do I start learning?

I'd like to see more beginner's books as much as the next person.

Until then, there are some books out there that are pretty neat to get
started with the hands-on part. Some of my favourites:

Molecular biology: A Project Approach by Karcher
I, Microbiologist by Sanders-Lorenz and Miller
Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments by Thompson and Thompson
Plant Tissue Culture: Techniques and Experiments by Smith
At the Bench: A Laboratory Navigator by Barker

If you read German, the "Experimentator" series is also pretty great, as
is "Mikrobiologische Methoden" by Bast.

Not quite as hands-on, but a very expansive and accessible read to get
some context and background:

Molecular Biotechnology by Pasternak and Glick

I'm sure there are tons more out there.

Cheers,
Lisa

On 25.02.2014 18:28, Cathal Garvey wrote:
> Well, considering IndieBB is supposed to come with a full-colour
> instruction book for absolute beginners, I'll be writing it up to some
> extent one way or another.
>
> I had intended this to be a total-beginner's kit that teaches
> sterilisation, bacterial handling, and then manipulation, in a one-step
> crash-course. I'd like to know what I can do to make that more appealing
> and less intimidating to you as a beginner?
>
> Of course, I totally understand if it's a simple issue of not having
> enough money to invest in stuff. With any luck if it works out you'll
> have a friend to give you a copy! ;)
>
> Maybe I should put up a new pledge: "buy one, give one"? :)
>
> On 25/02/14 17:23, Alex wrote:
>> I like your current campaign but have been unable to pledge due to funding
>> (fitting Dakota's desc to a T) and, for me, I'm not sure how beneficial it
>> would be, being so new to this all. I mean no disrespect with that
>> statement. I'm just saying that, at my current level of understanding, the
>> experiment would be interesting but I need to start smaller.
>>
>> However, I'd definitely be willing to pledge to a reasonably priced
>> beginner's book! The benefit could easily justify my pledge there, assuming
>> that it's well written!
>>
>> Alex
>> On Feb 25, 2014 11:58 AM, "Cathal Garvey" <cathalgarvey@cathalgarvey.me>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I'd probably have had better luck crowdfunding a beginner's book, it
>>> seems. I've talked about it before but never completed even the
>>> introduction chapter; if I run out of cash and can't do open-source DNA
>>> development anymore, I'll give it another shot.
>>>
>>> Please don't take that as motive to sink my current project, though; I
>>> really do prefer making things to writing about it! :)
>>>
>>> On 25/02/14 16:52, Alex wrote:
>>>> +1 to your entire email.
>>>>
>>>> The only other thing I have to add is that it's difficult to find
>>> relevant
>>>> reading materials. I'm a complete noob, if I were to go read about the
>>>> stuff that is generally discussed on this list, it'd be waaay above my
>>> head
>>>> 80% of the time. At the same time, being interested in plants, I'm
>>> starting
>>>> with a plant biology book. However, it is heavy with a lot of info that,
>>>> without guidance, I'm not sure is relevant at all. For all I know, I'll
>>>> spend 2 months trudging through this data and come out equally clueless.
>>>>
>>>> I'm aware this may also be a flaw on my behalf in someway I'm not saying
>>>> that everyone would have this issue and, for all I know, I may get
>>> through
>>>> this and be much more knowledgeable. I'm simply saying that I can feel
>>> the
>>>> pain here as well!
>>>>
>>>> This group does help immensely though, if not just to continuously peak
>>> my
>>>> interest!
>>>>
>>>> Alex
>>>> On Feb 25, 2014 11:43 AM, "Dakota Hamill" <dkotes@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I don't think lack of enthusiasm or drive is a problem, from where I
>>>>> stand, it's lack of equipment and space that is the biggest issue. Many
>>>>> people, myself included, are in tens of thousands of dollars of debt
>>> from
>>>>> school, and have to balance finding money for food and an apartment with
>>>>> money for consumables and equipment. That being the case, a 9-5 job is
>>>>> needed, which generally ends up being a 9-7 job, which completely sucks
>>>>> your energy during the week and makes weekends the more favorable time
>>> to
>>>>> be in the lab. Couple that with heading to the lab to do an experiment
>>> and
>>>>> realizing you don't have that one extra piece of equipment you need, or
>>>>> that reagent you need but can't get because Sigma won't ship it to you,
>>> and
>>>>> it's really damn frustrating.
>>>>>
>>>>> What's the alternative? Go to grad school and slave for 5 years so your
>>>>> PI can take credit for any work you do?
>>>>>
>>>>> In the end, I guess these are all just excuses. If I wanted it bad
>>> enough
>>>>> I'd sell a kidney and sleep in a van and work 25 hours a day.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
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>>>>> .
>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Please help support my crowdfunding campaign, IndieBB: Currently at
>>> 27.7% of funding goal, with 17 days left:
>>> http://igg.me/at/yourfirstgmo/x/4252296
>>> T: @onetruecathal, @IndieBBDNA
>>> P: +3538763663185
>>> W: http://indiebiotech.com
>>>
>>
>

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