ResourceLife Sciences
Optimize Your Life Sciences Assay with 10 Easy Tips
11 Aug 2016This Infographic from Vitl Life Science Solutions offers advice on the top ways to enhance your assay, from optimizing your temperature to using the best consumables. Read to find out the fundamentals of planning any life science assay.
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Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.GlycobiologyGlycobiology encompasses research into the biological functions, synthesis and structures of glycans, including glycoproteins, glycolipids, proteoglycans and free oligosaccharides. Mass spectrometers and their software are commonly used in the study of glycobiology, along with structure predicting tools, chromatography and NMR.MicroplatesMicroplates are multi-well plates used to increase the throughput of biological investigations. The number of wells microplates contain can range from 6 to 3243 wells, with the 96-well format being the most commonly used. Microplates can come tailored for a range of applications including cell culture, PCR, filtration, storage, non-binding surface, protein crystallization, as well as pre-coated, deep well and normal Standard microplates. Additionally, options for microplate colors include clear , black, white or black with clear bottom and white with clear bottom for absorbance microplate reader applications. Find the best microplates for your lab in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ProteomicsProteomics is the systemic bioinformatics study of proteins and amino acids, including their structure, size, function and identification. Tools used in proteomics include chromatography, blotting and gels, protein arrays, mass spectrometry and ELISA and associated analysis software. Analyzers and proteomic systems should be sensitive, high resolution, fast and may be automated for high-throughput.Cell Lines Stem Cells and Primary CellsPrimary cell cultures, established cell lines and stem cells are vital for <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> experimentation. High-quality cells, optimized for your applications, alongside optimized cell substrates, growth medium and supplements, are critical for experimental success. Explore a range of cells suitable for your applications, including isogenic cell lines, competent cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines, fungal/bacterial/mammalian cell lines, stem cells and cancer cell lines. Find the best cells for your research in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Refrigerators Freezers and CryogenicsRefrigerators, Freezers & Cryogenics can be used for preservation or experimental purposes. Types of freezers include deep freeze, -80C°C, ultra-low temperature, explosion proof, cryogenic and controlled rate freezers. Freezing is also used in freeze-drying equipment for dehydration processes. Feature to consider in freezers include temperature control and recorders, failure alarms and self-closing mechanisms.Heating EquipmentA range of heating equipment is available for different laboratory applications including furnaces, ovens and hotplates. Furnace systems include vacuum furnaces and ultra-high temperature furnaces and ovens comprise of convection and vacuum ovens.IncubatorsLaboratory incubators are used to provide a stable environment to cultivate and store samples in, giving you optimal control of temperature, humidity, oxygen and CO<sub>2</sub> levels. Incubators are necessary equipment for cell culture and microbial research. Control temperature with heated or refrigerated incubators, or the levels of CO<sub>2</sub> and oxygen with CO<sub>2</sub> incubators. Using environmental chambers, create a humid climate for testing samples. Find the best incubators in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Shakers, Stirrers and MixersShakers, stirrers and mixers are used for mixing liquids and solids for laboratory applications. There is a wide range of laboratory mixing equipment available, including magnetic stirrers, orbital shakers, linear shakers, microplate shakers, 3D gyratory rockers, rotators & vortexers. Additional platforms and clamps can also be attached to shakers to increase capacity. Find the best shakers, stirrers and mixers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Labware and Lab SuppliesLabware and lab supplies include various forms of glassware, plasticware, reagents and personal protective equipment (PPE) and are used across all scientific laboratories, enabling daily tasks to be performed. Explore a range of flasks and beakers, petri dishes, carboys and storage bottles. Labware such as condensers, desiccators and burettes are also available for more specific tasks. Find the best labware and lab supplies in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.CentrifugesCentrifuges are used to separate particulates suspended in a liquid via the application of a centrifugal force including cells, macromolecules, nanoparticles and precipitates. Centrifuges come in three sizes: microcentrifuges, benchtop and floor-standing centrifuges, depending on the volume and number of samples that require separation. When choosing a centrifuge, consider its maximum separation power indicated by its relative centrifugal force (RCF) value. Low force centrifuges reach a maximum RCF of 8,000 g, high-force centrifuges can reach maximum RCF values of 80,000 g. For extremely high forces, consider ultracentrifuges (up to 800,000 g). Refrigerated and vacuum centrifuges also known as concentrators are available for more specialized applications. A range of volumes are available for centrifuge tubes and microfuge tubes, depending on sample sizes. Find the best centrifuges in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Flow Cytometry / Cell CountingFlow cytometers are used to count, sort and examine multiple characteristics of cells. Other cell analysis equipment includes image cytometers, cell counters, fluorescence-activated cell sorters (FACS), magnetic-activated cell sorters (MACS), and a range of flow cytometry assay kits. Flow cytometers can reveal information on cell viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle progression, as well as identify cell populations and intracellular or cell-surface molecules. Additionally, some flow cytometers, known as FACS, have an additional sorting function after analysis. Cell counters and image cytometers count live and dead cell populations and can also conduct cell proliferation assays. Find the best flow cytometers, cell counters and cell sorters in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Assay AssemblyAssay Assembly is technique used in drug discovery to develop assays to test the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or other activities of a compound on a cell. Assay assembly requires chip assembly, a delivery system and a detection and analysis method. Beneficial features of assay kits or automated systems include high-throughput, high speed and sensitivity and low signal to noise ratio.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.