Plastic cell culture dishes are a common but overlooked source of fluorescence imaging problems. Polystyrene introduces two compounding issues: optical distortion from refractive index inconsistencies and autofluorescence from the material itself. These degrade image clarity, reduce signal-to-noise ratio, and compromise quantitative measurements. These problems are most damaging in low-expression reporter assays, multiplexed panels, and live cell time-lapse experiments. This article explains the science behind both mechanisms, identifies which workflows are most vulnerable, and provides a practical troubleshooting checklist for confirming whether your dish is the source of the problem.

Scalpel injuries in research and teaching laboratories are often preventable with the right sharps handling procedures and instrument choices. This article explores the most common causes of laboratory scalpel injuries, including blade changes, improper disposal, and unsafe instrument passing. It explains how disposable and safety scalpels help reduce sharps exposure while improving workflow efficiency in educational and research environments. The guide also covers best practices for safe scalpel handling, sharps disposal compliance, teaching lab safety protocols, and injury prevention strategies for students, educators, lab managers, and research staff.

When imaging is part of the science, dish material matters. Glass bottom dishes outperform plastic across every optical metric relevant to fluorescence microscopy, confocal, TIRF, and live cell imaging. Plastic polystyrene introduces autofluorescence that degrades signal-to-noise ratio, falls outside the optical correction range of high-NA objectives, and conducts heat poorly, creating temperature gradients during long time-lapse experiments. Glass eliminates these variables: it has negligible autofluorescence, matches standard coverslip thickness (~170 µm) for full objective compatibility, and equilibrates thermally for stable live cell conditions. Plastic remains practical for routine culture, but glass is the correct choice whenever imaging quality affects your conclusions.

When your research depends on delivering extremely small, highly controlled volumes,
precision isn’t optional. It’s essential. Micro syringe pumps are designed to meet this
challenge, enabling accurate and repeatable injections at the microliter and nanoliter
scale. In this guide, we’ll explore how these systems work, when they’re needed, and
what features matter most for reliable microinjection results.

WPI will be exhibiting at ARVO 2026 in Denver (Booth #6002), showcasing TEER measurement systems, organ-on-chip technology, and microinjection tools for ophthalmology research.

With over 1,380 peer-reviewed citations, the UMP3 Microinjection Syringe Pump has become a trusted standard for precise, repeatable fluid delivery at the micro- and nanoliter scale. This article highlights how researchers across neuroscience, ophthalmology, pharmacology, and microfluidics rely on the UMP3 to ensure consistent dosing, reduce variability, and produce reproducible results in demanding experimental environments.