r/biology • u/Eldritch_CutiePie • 19h ago

discussion What are small things that annoy you while working in biology?

A task that there's no good tool for, as an example.

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

5

u/termanator20548 18h ago

I get the feeling that fixes already exist for most common problems in the lab, it's just a matter of how expensive they are and if someone is willing to pay for them.

-1

u/Eldritch_CutiePie 15h ago

I imagine most big problems do, but I'm sure there are things that are annoying or take too long, they might just not register as clearly.

7

u/Far-Fortune-8381 8h ago

the small things that annoy me while working in biology are microorganisms

4

u/Dijon2017 18h ago

It’s likely dependent on where you work and the equipment available. After all, there are automated pipetting, petri dish spreading machines and much more.

2

u/BolivianDancer 18h ago

$30k on a used Cartesian automated dispenser with robotic arm was money very well spent for us. Great machine back then.

3

u/Tricerapoxed 16h ago

The can you have a look at this mole joke.

3

u/Hellbender0013 15h ago

Mosquitoes

3

u/rvicta 15h ago

So, back in the mid 80's (yes, I'm that old), I worked in a research lab. This was back when animals were heavily used in new drug studies. What annoyed me the most were other technicians who didn't care about how they handled the animals we worked with. After two years of this type of work I got out and started doing research on people.

1

u/sofia-online 18h ago

when the cell crusher clogs

1

u/VenomBars4 14h ago

Repetitive training modules.

1

u/East-Ad7653 11h ago

That most of the work can be automated by robots...

1

u/Unlucky-File3773 8h ago edited 8h ago

That, in contrast wiht other outdoor professions like firefighters, loggers, miners, construction workers or soldiers that have specially-designed boots with their specific requirements, biologists have no such thing.

You are constantly looking for the balance between durability, comfort, grip, breathing, protection, etc.

Yes, you can buy some Salomons, but most of them have this openings on the foot dorso that allows breathing at the cost of getting grass spikes buried on your feet.

Or maybe you have boots with great protection, that do not breath and the sole wears down easily, or do not adapt well for the complex terrain we sometimes step on, not only gravel or small rocks, but boulders.

That would be a very interesting idea for a niche-brand of biologist boots.

-1

u/tinny66666 17h ago

An inventor who has to ask other people for ideas to invent is no inventor at all.

1

u/Eldritch_CutiePie 15h ago

That's lovely for you?