MicroscopesBlog: Expert's reviews, news, notes on Microscopes, Centrifuges, Lab Coats, Pipettes, Lab Safety, & more Lab Products!

Often when we think about setting up a new lab, we think about all the laboratory items that are used inside the lab. Such as, beakers, gloves, centrifuge tubes, test tubes, wipes, safety glasses, lab coats, face masks, etc..However; we need to start with the lab first. What style of laboratory are you looking for? You will need to begin to look for laboratory furniture before you start with all the fun things we listed above. Things like cabinets, a work surface, cupboards, and storage drawers. Are you going to want double doors, or single doors? Do you want steel or wood? What color are you interested in? My what choices you have to make. Work Top material selections are among the most critical of the laboratory furniture decisions. The intended applications for your work tops dictate material choice. I can help make it better. Have you ever heard of Kewaunee Laboratory furniture? Kewaunee makes selecting laboratory furniture easy. Kewaunee can recommend and furnish materials fabricated to your individual needs, complete with appropriate sinks, drains and accessories.

There are many different types of centrifuge tubes. Depending what sample you are spinning and what centrifuge you are using will be dependent on what type of centrifuge tubes you will need. I am going to help you determine what tubes are best suited for you. There are glass tubes, plastic, round bottom, conical bottom, and flat bottom tubes. The two most common sizes are 15ml tubes and 50ml tubes. For a DNA application you will want to use PCR tubes. Conical bottom glass tubes allow for maximizing sample recovery. Conical bottom tubes meet bioanalytical-grade requirements and provide unsurpassed performance in critical research applications. Round bottom tubes are widely used in the laboratory, they are also widely referenced in published procedures and protocols. Most types of centrifuge tubes are offered in glass, polystyrene, polypropylene, with screw caps or snap caps which makes handling easy. Polypropylene tubes are best suited for applications requiring greater thermal and chemical stability. Polystyrene tubes are best suited for procedures requiring high optical clarity. Dual-position snap caps, heavier gauge walls, and unique construction provide a secure, positive seal.

What is a protein? Most people would say that proteins are required for strength and muscle building. While this is true proteins have a structural purpose as well a functional one. Proteins speed up chemical reactions, fight bacteria, tranpsort substances such as oxygen, and they build other proteins to name a few of their functions. A protein is a compound made up of amino acids arranged in a linear chain. This is known as primary structure. The amino acids interact with each other via hydrogen bonding to form secondary structure. Tertiary structure is the overall shape of the protein molecule which involves the spatial relationship of the alpha helix and the beta sheet. The next level of protein structure is quaternary structure which refers to the interaction of multiple protein subunits. Many physiological responses are the result of protein interaction such as insulin binding to its receptor in the cell membrane. Serum proteins are proteins that exist in the plasma portion of blood. Immunoglobulin G is a serum protein involved in the response of the immune system to allergens. Researchers perform what's called a protein assay to dermine protein concentrations of fluids like blood. Once the protein concentration has been determined doctors can more accurately diagnose a patient. Protein electrophoresis or gel electrophoresis is used to identify proteins by comparing samples to standards of known molecular weight. Promega and BD are well known for their protein reagents and assays.

There are at least five types ofcentrifuges. Preparative , analytical, fixed angle, swing head, and haemacrotic centrifuges. Industrial centrifuges may be classified according to the type of separation of the high density fraction from the low density one. Simple centrifuges are used in chemistry, biology, and biochemistry for isolating and separating suspensions. Each one will vary widely in speed and accuracy. Centrifuges are made up of a rotor, containing two, four, six or many more numbered wells, and adapters within which the samples containing centrifuge tubes may be placed.

The density of the particles being separated are greater than the density of the solvent. Separation is based on Mass. For example larger particles will sediment faster. Sedimentation is the tendency for particles in suspension or molecules in a solution to settle out of the fluid in which they are entrained and come to rest against a wall. Isopycnic Centrifugation is when solvent density encompasses density of particles. The separation is based upon particle density.