Biotech researchers: How do I learn proper labeling techniques?

Question

I almost ruin my whole Master's degree, because of poor labeling of my gDNA, Plasmids and PCR products. But luckily it all worked out OK. Now, working on another project as a RA, I have samples going back to 2005 and can't make out head or tail what they are? I need to re-sequence some of them, but can't find the correct blooming samples, because of poor lables and storing. What must I do?? How do I learn to properly lable and store sample? I tend to be lazy with labeling and now it came back to bite me in the ***. I'm overall good with research, but THIS is a @#$^ disaster.. and will get me in deep trouble with my supervisor.

Problem is that I have don't duplicates and some of them failed and other worked. Most of my samples can be identified correctly, but some of the older samples...oi.oi.oi..

Answer 1

I think it's a lesson we all learn in grad school.  To be a good scientist you must be able to keep neat and organized records, including labeling all samples.

How do you learn it?  Practice.  I also double label everything.  For example, I might have a digit system, like RD-22d, but I will also use location of label or color to duplicate my system.  Then, I keep meticulous records of what my codes mean.  This way I don't have to fill my sample container up with exact site, date, and descriptive information.