Niki Spahich

When hunting for variants in the genome, it can be difficult for scientists to decide which approach to choose. Targeted sequencing panels are useful when looking for specific, known mutations in a defined gene set. However, often those studying complex or lesser-known conditions need more information. In these cases, the choice narrows down to whole exome sequencing (WES) or whole genome sequencing (WGS), both of which provide a plethora of data compared to targeted approaches.

Reproducibility is the backbone of good science. For a qPCR experiment to hold up under scrutiny, a laboratory anywhere in the world needs to be able to run it and land on the same result. In a workflow where several components and steps interact, this can be a challenge, as a small error can compound into a much larger problem downstream. Accurate reporting of experimental parameters and analysis methods matters, but it only tells part of the story.

Just like workers need the right environment to efficiently perform their tasks, proteins require placement within specific cellular compartments to function properly. Therefore, understanding where proteins reside within a cell is crucial for unraveling their roles in health and disease.