NEED A CENTRIFUGE?

A centrifuge is a laboratory device that is used for the separation of fluids, gas or liquid, based on density. Separation is achieved by spinning a vessel containing material at high speed - the centrifugal force pushes heavier materials to the outside of the vessel. This apparatus is found in most laboratories, from academic to clinical to research, and used to purify cells, subcellular organelles, viruses, proteins and nucleic acids.

There are multiple types of centrifuges, which can be classified by intended use or by rotor design. From the large floor variety to the micro-centrifuge, there are many varieties available for the researcher.

Types of centrifuges: Benchtop centrifuges are a broad class of centrifuges characterised by their small bench space footprint. Depending on the research need, a variety of different aspects can be considered. Maximum speed in RCFs can range from as low as a few hundred to over 50 000 x g. Tube volumes can range from under 1mL (such as with PCR tubes) to a few litres. Different types of rotors, such as fixed angle, swinging bucket and continuous flow, are also typically interchangeable. Discover our diverse listings of benchtop centrifuges.

Refrigerated benchtop centrifuges are compact instruments ideal for centrifugation of samples that may be temperature sensitive, such as live cells, animals or proteins. Many feature interchangeable rotors and adaptors to accommodate a wide range of sample volumes, from under 1mL to a few litres. Speeds can also vary, and some models can reach up to 60 000 x g. Look at the different refrigerated benchtop centrifuges currently on the market.

Clinical benchtop centrifuges are compact, low-speed centrifuges ideal for the separation of whole blood components, such as serum, plasma, buffy coat, red blood cells, as well as other bodily fluids. Their speeds may range between around 200 rpm to 6 000 rpm. Most clinical centrifuges can accommodate common blood draw tubes. However, be sure to check with each vendor for specific tube sizes or tube adaptors.

INSTRULAB A DIVISION OF AIR & VACUUM TECHNOLOGIES (PTY) LTD

Tel: (011) 318 3241 burnm@vactech.co.za www.vactech.co.za