Laboratory Incubator Shakers: A Versatile Tool for Life Science Research

Sep 25, 2024 at 12:39 PM

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Laboratory incubator shakers are essential equipment in a wide range of life science research applications.These devices combine the functions of an incubator and a shaker, providing a controlled environment for cell culture, microbial growth, and other biological processes. This article will explore the different types of laboratory incubator shakers, their key features, and their applications in various fields of research.

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Types of Laboratory Incubator Shakers

  1. Orbital Shakers: These shakers create an orbital or circular motion, which is ideal for mixing liquids and promoting cell growth. They are commonly used for applications such as cell culture, enzyme reactions, and protein expression.
  2. Reciprocating Shakers: Reciprocating shakers produce a linear or back-and-forth motion. They are often used for applications that require a more aggressive mixing action, such as cell lysis and protein extraction.
  3. Rocking Shakers: Rocking shakers create a gentle rocking motion, which is suitable for applications that require delicate mixing, such as hybridization and immunoprecipitation.

Key Features of Laboratory Incubator Shakers

  • Temperature Control: Incubator shakers are equipped with precise temperature control systems to maintain optimal conditions for biological processes.
  • Shaking Speed and Amplitude: The shaking speed and amplitude can be adjusted to meet the specific requirements of different applications.
  • CO2 Control: Some incubator shakers have the ability to control CO2 levels, which is essential for cell culture and microbial growth.
  • Humidity Control: Humidity control is important for maintaining the moisture content of samples and preventing evaporation.
  • Stackable Design: Stackable incubator shakers allow for efficient use of laboratory space.
  • Data Logging: Many modern incubator shakers have built-in data logging capabilities to record temperature, humidity, and shaking parameters.

Applications of Laboratory Incubator Shakers

  • Cell Culture: Incubator shakers are widely used for culturing cells, including bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells. They provide a controlled environment for cell growth and proliferation.
  • Molecular Biology: These shakers are essential for various molecular biology techniques, such as DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, and enzyme reactions.
  • Microbiology: Incubator shakers are used for cultivating microorganisms, studying microbial growth, and performing microbial assays.
  • Biochemistry: They are employed in biochemical research for applications such as protein purification, enzyme kinetics, and metabolic studies.
  • Pharmaceutical Research: Incubator shakers are used in drug discovery and development for tasks like cell-based assays, protein expression, and fermentation processes.

Table 1: Comparison of Different Shaker Types


Shaker TypeMotionApplications
Orbital ShakerCircular motionCell culture, enzyme reactions, protein expression
Reciprocating ShakerLinear motionCell lysis, protein extraction, mixing
Rocking ShakerRocking motionHybridization, immunoprecipitation, gentle mixing
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Table 2: Key Features of Laboratory Incubator Shakers


FeatureImportance
Temperature ControlEnsures optimal conditions for biological processes.
Shaking Speed and AmplitudeAllows for customization to suit different applications.
CO2 ControlEssential for cell culture and microbial growth.
Humidity ControlPrevents evaporation and maintains sample moisture.
Stackable DesignSaves laboratory space.
Data LoggingRecords experimental parameters for analysis.
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