Appendix

Guide to Rigorous and Reproducible Research Experiments at UNMC

1. Consult with the BSL-3 Core Facility staff members in the planning stage, in order to properly prepare for safe, reliable, and reproducible experiments.
2. Design all experiments with sufficient controls for rigor and accuracy, as well as have sufficient technical and biological replicates to verify reproducibility.

For more information, see Enhancing Reproducibility through Rigor and Transparency  and Reproducibility FAQs from the NIH.

Consult with a statistician if help is needed to develop a Power Analysis, in order to ensure that the results will be adequately powered.

3. Ensure that all of your reagents (e.g., cell lines and antibodies) are fully validated.

For antibody validation, always titrate and validate specificity. For more guidance, see https://antibodyregistry.org/, https://www.euromabnet.com/guidelines/articles-about-antibody-validation.php, https://www.euromabnet.com/guidelines/index.php, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26418356/, https://www.euromabnet.com/guidelines/positive-negative-controls.php, and https://www.euromabnet.com/guidelines/articles-about-antibody-validation.php, along with A Proposal for the Validation of Antibodies by M. Uhlen et al. in Nature Methods (2016) 13:823–827

4. Key biological and/or chemical resources (i.e., cell lines, antibodies, specialty chemicals, and other biologics) should be addressed in the application’s authentication plan.
5. Prepare a detailed protocol and document all steps, including reagents, equipment, and data analysis methods that were used in the experiment. Be sure to document any deviations.
6. Have a data analysis plan that can be easily followed.
7. Assure that the individuals performing the experiment are well trained, as well as understand each step and the importance of performing them precisely, in order to ensure rigor.
8. Use only well-maintained instrumentation and make sure that it is used properly, to prevent breakage and to not compromise an experiment. If in doubt on how to properly operate and maintain an instrument the BSL-3 Core Facility, seek advice and/or obtain training with the appropriate BSL-3 Core Facility staff member.
9. Store all documentation and data in a safe repository and be sure to backup this information.
10. For guidance on preparing NIH grant applications, see https://grants.nih.gov/policy/reproducibility/resources.htm

Please always cite the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) BSL-3 Core Facility support in your publications, which is important for continuation of this resource.