Mountain Lake Biological Station
A guide to UVA resources for researchers at MLBS.
Research Librarian
Biology Protocols
In the natural sciences a protocol is a predefined written procedural method in the design and implementation of experiments. Protocols are written whenever it is desirable to standardize a laboratory method to ensure successful replication of results by others in the same laboratory or by other laboratories. Detailed protocols also facilitate the assessment of results through peer review. ("Protocol (science)", Wikipedia) Below are links to several protocol sources.
- Springer Nature ExperimentsSN Experiments hosts Nature Protocols, Nature Methods, and Springer Protocols, as well as Nature Reviews Methods Primers. In total, they host over 70,000 protocols and methods.
- Nature MethodsPublishes novel methods and significant improvements to established techniques in life sciences research.
- Nature ProtocolsPublishes laboratory protocols for bench researchers, providing step-by-step descriptions of procedures.
- Springer ProtocolsSpringerProtocols is a subscription-based online database of 30 years of tested, step-by-step protocols in the biomedical and life sciences. Each protocol is organized in an easily reproducible recipe style that is available for immediate use in the lab. Protocols are written by experts in the field and are reviewed by editors in their specific subject areas, as well as by the SpringerProtocols editorial board.
- Cold Spring Harbor ProtocolsJournal publishes research methods in cell, developmental and molecular biology, genetics, protein science, computational biology, immunology, neuroscience and imaging.
- MethodsJournal that focuses on rapidly developing techniques in the experimental biological and medical sciences. Each topical issue is comprised of invited articles by specialist authors.
- Bio-ProtocolBio-protocol is an e-journal established in 2011 by a group of Stanford researchers. Bio-protocol aims to publish detailed life science protocols with a strong emphasis on reproducibility.
- Protocol ExchangeOpen repository for the deposition and sharing of protocols, from the Nature Publishing Group. Protocols are posted directly by their authors, and are not peer-reviewed or edited. Protocols are free for use and comment.
- JoVE Methods Collections - BiologyJoVE Methods Collections facilitate efficient transfer of techniques within research communities, promote standardization and collaboration, and accelerate scientific progress.
Each collection will include peer-reviewed video articles highlighting different techniques and their applications, unified under a common scope.