Team:UNIPV-Pavia/Instruments

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UNIPV TEAM 2011

Instruments

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TECAN Infinite 2000

Tecan Infinite F200 is a multifunctional microplate filter-based reader with injector option, that provides high performance for the vast majority of microplate applications and research. It has been designed as a general purpose laboratory instrument for professional use, supporting common 6 to 384-well microplates. This instrument allows long incubation of the microplate, the chance to set the shaking movements, the duration of all operations, including cycles, and the dispensation of liquid material in the wells. These actions are managed by a user interface operated by i-Control software, ranging from scheduling experiments to the cleaning of injectors. We used this instrument for the following measurement techniques:

  • fluorescence intensity;
  • absorbance.
  • TECAN Infinite 2000
    TECAN infinite 2000


    NanoDrop ND 1000 spectrophotometer

    The Thermo Scientific NanoDrop™ 1000 Spectrophotometer (v 3.7) is a full-spectrum (220 - 750nm) spectrophotometer. This instrument is a really helpfull instrument that elimante the needs of cuvettes and is capable to measure highly concentrated samples without dilution. We use NanoDrop to measure:

  • concentration of DNA in a micro-volume of sample (1 microliter);
  • and OD in cell cultures (2 microliter).
  • Nanodrop
    NanoDrop ND 1000


    PCR thermocyclers

    The laboratory is equipped with:

  • Gene Amp PCR System 9700 (Applied Biosystem) thermal cycler: used to amplify segments of DNA via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process;
  • MiniOpticon Real-Time PCR Instrument (BIO-RAD): this machine combines the functions of a thermal cycler and a fluorimeter. It is able to amplify and detect DNA.
  • Real time
    MiniOpticon Real-Time PCR
    thermocycler
    Gene Amp PCR System 9700


    Instruments for electrophoresis

    Gel electrophoresis apparatus - Agarose gel is placed in this TBE buffer filled box and electrical field is applied via the power supply to the rear. The negative terminal is the black one while the positive is the red one. In this way DNA, that is naturally negatively charged, migrates to the positive pole.

    Instruments for electrophoresis
    Large, medium and small electrophoresis apparatuses


    Gel image acquisition system

    It is a UV system with camera used to acquire gel run snapshots.

    Gel image acquisition system
    UV system and camera


    Incubator for plates

    In order to grow bacteria a culture media is needed, together with plates (petri-dishes), some laboratory supplies and incubators. The incubator is an oven able to keep bacteria at the desired temperature; the typical temperature needed to allow a rapid growth of bacteria is 37 °C.

    Incubator for plates
    Incubator for plates


    Incubator and shaker for liquid cultures

    Shaking incubators, also known as environmental shakers, are often used for cell culturing, cell aeration and solubility studies. In addition to stable temperature conditions, they use an orbital agitation at variable speeds to affect the growth of cell cultures, displaced in a liquid media. All major functions (temperature, RPM and time) have alarms that alert the user to deviations from set parameters. Overtemperature protection is provided via a safety thermostat. Digital keypad operation offers the ability to calibrate the temperature controller to a reference thermometer.

    Incubator and shaker for liquid cultures
    Incubator and shaker for liquid cultures


    Laminar flow cabinet

    The lab is equipped with laminar flow cabinet. It is a carefully enclosed bench designed to prevent contamination of biological samples. Air is drawn through a HEPA filter and blown in a very smooth, laminar flow towards the user. The hood is provided of UV-C germicidal lamp for the sterilization.

    Hood
    Laminar flow cabinet


    Autoclave

    An autoclave is a self-locking apparatus used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam. It allows steam to flow around each article placed in the chamber. The vapor penetrates cloth or paper used to package the articles being sterilized. Autoclaving brings to the destruction of all types of microorganisms, including spores. Therefore, autoclave is widely used in microbiology, medicine, veterinary science, mycology or chiropody; its size varies on the media it is sterilizing. The amount of time and degree of temperature necessary for sterilization depend on the articles to be sterilized and whether they are wrapped or left directly exposed to the steam. Typically the process is run at 121°C or more for 15 to 20 minutes and it is essential to ensure that all the trapped air is removed, because hot air is less efficient than steam to achieve sterility.

    Autoclave
    The autoclave


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