When it comes to lab work, there is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of your samples.
And this is because there’s a lot more that goes into ensuring careful handling of materials than just checking for leaks or cracks. It means employing devices that have safety baked into their very design and construction, that are strong, reliable and versatile enough to protect delicate samples as well as they protect technicians, lab workers, and workplaces.
OHAUS’ new line of
Frontier FC5513R Refrigerated Micro Centrifuges are designed to handle temperature-sensitive heterogeneous mixtures or samples. Built to be small but impactful, they feature a protective splash-proof interface, and multiple rotor options to treat your samples the way they deserve.
But let’s back up. What exactly is a Centrifuge, anyway?
Integral in DNA and RNA extraction, a centrifuge is an instrument that uses centrifugal force—created by spinning a container at high speed around a fixed axis—to separate components based on their density, size and shape. Centrifuges are used in a variety of scientific and medical fields, including molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry and clinical diagnostics. They are the reason DNA and RNA extraction are possible.
You see, the first step of the DNA and RNA extraction process involves cell lysis, which breaks open the cell to release the nucleic acids. After cells are lysed, the mixture is placed inside a centrifuge. Centrifugal force separates the nucleic acids from other cellular components such as proteins and lipids. After separation, the nucleic acids are typically precipitated out of the solution using alcohol, which causes the DNA or RNA to clump together and become visible. Finally, the DNA/RNA is washed and purified to remove any remaining contaminants. Sometimes spin columns are used to further purify the nucleic acids.
Of course, the use of centrifuges—given their power and speed—comes with its fair share of safety concerns. Which the
FC5513R is built to handle. The speed and power of centrifugal force, for example, can cause rotors or tubes to break or rupture, or sheer off and damage both the sample and the device. The
FC5513R guards against these hazards with multiple rotor options built to guard against sheering or cracking.
There are also biological hazards. When handling biological materials that carry a risk of infection, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times—which is why the
FC5513R’s responsive interface is designed to work even when the user is wearing nitrile gloves. The device’s refrigeration capabilities make careful and deliberate handling of the most sensitive materials a non-negotiable laboratory must.
This is why OHAUS designed its
FC5513R to be easily accessible for users. The controls are as sensitive and responsive as the components are strong and durable.
In other words, a full approach to integrity and safety—for samples, for workplaces, and for lab workers. Without fail.