[DIYbio] Re: Beginner help

The most basic lab equipment  you require depends on the level and type of practical work you want to pursue. In general for most genetic experiments you would need a gel electrophoresis unit, centrifuge (or a tweaked up blender would do the trick), and thermocycler. For microbiology aspects you would need an incubator and a small fermentor, A spectrophotometer would also come in handy for biochemistry and microbiology like  identifying colony density, enzyme activity, etc. For sterilization of media and plates and autoclavable materials you could just use a pressure cooker. It all depends on the level you want to pursue sky is the limit. The best thing to do is check your area for an open lab as Avery suggested or if i were you i would start of with basic microbiology experiments like culturing and isolating out various fungal and bacterial strains.

On Saturday, 12 April 2014 15:52:54 UTC+5:30, Joe Wall wrote:

Hello,

I've been interested in biology and genetics for about a year now and have just stumbled upon DIYbio. I've been reading about the various aspects of DIYbio and decided I want to start experimenting. However I'm not sure what to do. I'm particularly interested in giving/altering a lifeforms functions, such as the recent glow in the dark plant project. So i guess what I'm really asking is where are the best places to learn about the practical side of DIYbio and what equipment I would need or not need (e.g Electrophoresis unit, thermocycler & so on). 

Thanks, Joe

p.s could any equipment suggested please be as cheap as possible due to being 14 years young and having the dismal income of a paper round :)