The previous article introduced the top 5 common instruments and equipment in the cell laboratory. For details, please click "Common instruments and equipment in the cell laboratory (1)" to view. In this article, I will introduce the next five common instruments and equipment, namely: cell freezing storage, centrifuge, balance, sterilizer, and filter.

Common equipment 6: cell cryo storage

The cell freezing storage device mentioned here is a liquid nitrogen container, and its function is to freeze and store the cells required for the experimental project. When choosing a liquid nitrogen container, you need to consider three aspects, namely: volume, easy access and use, and liquid nitrogen volatilization. The size of the liquid nitrogen container is about 25L-500L, and it can store about 250-15000 ampoules of 1ml.

Since the temperature of liquid nitrogen is -196℃, be careful when using it to avoid frostbite. In addition, due to the continuous volatilization of liquid nitrogen, attention should be paid to the situation of liquid nitrogen retention. If the amount of liquid nitrogen is insufficient, it should be supplemented in time to avoid excessive volatilization and cell damage.

Common equipment 7: centrifuge

Cell culture is usually divided into three tasks, namely: preparing cell suspension, adjusting cell density, washing and collecting cells. These three tasks are inseparable from the centrifuge, so it is also an indispensable instrument in the cell laboratory.

If the cell laboratory has no special requirements, a 4000rpm benchtop centrifuge can be configured. If there is a need for cell sedimentation, an 80-00g centrifuge can be configured. If there is a need for gradient centrifugation, a centrifuge with this function can be configured. In addition, a centrifuge with large capacity or adjustable temperature can also be configured as required.

Common instruments and equipment 8: balance

The balance in the cell laboratory includes a torsion balance and a precision balance. As for how to choose, it depends on the amount of weighing and weighing accuracy. If the sampling volume is more than 100 mg, use a balance with a sensitivity of 0.1 mg. If the sampling volume is 10mg-100mg, use a 0.01mg balance. If the sampling volume is less than 10 mg, use a 0.001 mg balance.

Common equipment 9: Sterilizer

As long as the items that come into contact with cells, whether in direct or indirect contact, they must be sterilized by a sterilizer. It is recommended that the cell laboratory be equipped with an autoclave sterilizer—pulsation vacuum sterilizer, which is characterized by the ability to monitor the pressure and temperature in the sterilization container while sterilizing and sterilizing, and to change various parameters through the memory support system To ensure the quality and safety of sterilization.

Common equipment 10: filter

The culture solution used for cell culture needs to be sterilized through a filter. There are 3 kinds of filters that are commonly used at present, namely: Zeiss filter, glass filter, and microporous filter.

I believe that through the introduction of these two articles, everyone has a preliminary understanding of the common equipment in the cell laboratory.