AG Hauck - LabWiki

Gruppenfoto - September 2023

Welcome!

This is the LabWiki – your central reference for all methods, rules, and protocols in our laboratory!

This wiki is designed to help you work safely, efficiently, and reliably. Here you will find guides on various work techniques, important safety regulations, and documentation on equipment and materials.

The data and protocols have been curated and carefully prepared over a long period of time. Nevertheless, there may still be errors in a few areas. Please let us know in the discussion section of the respective article.

Knowledge grows when shared. That's why we appreciate it when you contribute your knowledge here and help us continue developing it.

⚠️ The most important thing you can find here?

• Lab Rules: Correct behaviour in the lab - from deadly sins to too much blotto. First port of call for every lab novice!

🧪 Protocols & more

Documentation of all laboratory experiments and test procedures.

• All protocols from the VTK script and beyond. Important - Some protocols may still be out of date. Please let us know if you recognise an error:
  Methods and Protocols
  
• Recipes for basic buffers and solutions in the laboratory
  Rezepte
  

Only together can this wiki be useful and effective. If you have a protocol for a method that is worth implementing here, please contact ESO.

⚡ Lab Devices

Operating instructions, tips, and maintenance information for our lab equipment.

• Bio-Rad ChemiDoc Touch: Device for detecting Western blots
• Bio-Rad GelDoc: Device for analysing agarose gels
• Thermo Scientific Varioskan Flash: Multifunctional microplate reader
• PeqLab Thermocycler:
• Eppendorf Thermocycler
• Photometer
• S1 Inkubator

📋 Security & Safe Behaviour

Safety regulations, emergency plans and protective measures.

• All About Safety: Be sure to read our internal laboratory information for more safety in the laboratory.
• Basic principles and guidelines can be found in the so-called laboratory guideline – Official web content of the University of Konstanz ([1]) and official DGUV information on biology laboratories ([2])

In case of emergency:
I-Point phone no.: 2222

💡- Supporting things for your time in the lab

• Laboratory Bookkeeping Guide: How to keep written lab notes up to Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN).
• How to write a Paper in 9 Steps: A guide on how to approach publishing a great paper someday.
• Software: Free programmes that are useful or indispensable in the lab.
• Forms and official documents: Important documents and corporate design template.

🖨️ How to Print Pages from the Wiki

Quick Print Access

Windows

• Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + P
• Alternative: Right-click on page → "Print"
• Menu: Browser menu (⋮) → "Print"

Mac

• Keyboard shortcut: ⌘ + P (Command + P)
• Alternative: Right-click on page → "Print"
• Menu: Safari/Chrome menu → "Print"

Optimizing Print Settings

📄 Save as PDF

1. Open print dialog (Ctrl + P / ⌘ + P)
2. Destination: Select "Save as PDF"
3. Click Save
4. Choose filename and save location

📏 Adjusting Scale

Problem: Text too small or cut off?

Solution:

• Scale: 100% (default) → Reduce to 85-90% if needed
• More settings: Click for advanced options
• Paper size: A4 (default) or Letter
• Margins: Default or narrow for more space

🎯 Optimal Print Settings for Lab Protocols

Setting	Recommendation	Why
Orientation	Portrait	For standard protocols
Scale	85-90%	Prevents text cutoff
Margins	Narrow	More space for content
Background graphics	Off	Saves ink
Headers/Footers	Optional	Print URL and date

💡 Pro Tips

Before printing:

• Check print preview: Is everything fully visible?
• Consider page count: Split long protocols?
• Images/Tables: Are they displayed correctly?

For large tables:

1. Choose landscape orientation for wide pipetting schemes
2. Reduce scale to 70-80%
3. Check page breaks in preview

Save ink/toner:

• Disable background graphics
• Use draft mode for internal protocols
• Black & white for color printers

Text gets cut off

• Reduce scale (85-90%)
• Set margins to "narrow"
• Use landscape for wide content

Page too long

• Check page breaks in preview
• Use "Print selection" for specific sections
• Create multiple PDFs for different sections

Images/formulas missing

• Enable "Print background graphics"
• Refresh browser before printing
• Take screenshot as alternative

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💡 Tip: For important protocols, always save as PDF first, then print!

🫱🏻‍🫲🏾 - Collaboration is key!

Knowledge grows when shared. That's why we appreciate it when you contribute your knowledge here and help us continue developing it.

Getting started

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