In biology, a common method for carefully culturing certain types of cells is called cell culture. When preparing cell cultures, pay great attention to maintaining sterile conditions. Typically, materials are sterilized prior to use and cell cultures are prepared in a sterile fume hood.
The cell culture is then carefully placed in an incubator to maintain a sterile and controlled environment for optimal cell growth.
For example, mammalian cells are usually cultured in a CO2 incubator with a CO2 concentration of 5-7%, very high humidity and a temperature of 37°C. These settings mimic the conditions in the human body.
However, this is not all that needs to be considered. Recent studies have shown that unwanted vibrations in cell culture incubators can be detrimental. Some vibrations can be caused by the incubator itself, such as circulation of water to heat the incubator or fans. The environment is often the cause of vibration.
Rice. 1. Sample of vibration-induced concentric rings in a 100 mm dish containing chick embryo fibroblasts stained 1 hour post-seeding. Image credit: Bellking Vibration Control
These types of vibration problems have been known in the microscopy, photonics, and semiconductor industries for over 50 years. Therefore, equipment suppliers often specify the vibration characteristics of the equipment for the location where their products will be installed. While this should probably be the case, the incubator is not.
“Incubator vibrations are responsible for some of the strangest growth patterns seen in culture vessels. Its effect occurs primarily when cells initially attempt to adhere to the surface after seeding the vessel. Edges or middle, and sometimes concentric rings of cells. Figure 1 shows this. in cultured chick embryo fibroblasts.
“In fig. 2 shows a typical example of a standing wave in a cell culture flask. In this case, a standing wave has formed in the entire bulb.
Rice. 2. Growth of cell culture in flasks in the presence of standing waves. Image credit: BELLKING Vibration Control
In a typical cell culture laboratory, vibrations can come from a variety of sources. In addition to incubator fans, they can also come from a centrifuge located next to the incubator, a freezer or refrigerator that turns on and off, or even from the climate control system in a cell culture laboratory.
Due to the design of the fan or the location of the fan motor, vibration cannot always be eliminated.
Since the vibration problem is mainly due to frequency resonance, you can try changing the frequency of the equipment (eg incubator), for example by placing a heavy object in one of the corners of the incubator; but be aware of the risk of potential contamination in the incubator and be prepared to take the necessary steps to minimize the risk. “
While these are great helpers for limiting the effects of vibration, there is an even better way to deal with vibration problems in the lab. For example, it is recommended to place the entire incubator on a vibration-resistant platform such as BK-VT® to isolate it from unwanted vibrations.
Rice. 3. Incubator mounted on a Bellking BK-VT vibration isolation platform. Image Credit: Bellking Vibration Control
In this case, two incubators are stacked on top of each other on a BK-VT vibration isolation platform. BK-VT minimizes the transmission of floor vibrations caused by other tools with the Gimbal Piston air isolator feet.
For example, assuming a centrifuge is running near an incubator, vibrations from the centrifuge can be transmitted to the incubator, causing vibrational patterns in the cell culture.
Placing incubators on a BK-VT platform means they are relatively immune to vibrations from HVAC systems, foot traffic, centrifuges, or other sources of vibration commonly found in life science facilities.
This information has been verified and adapted from materials provided by Bellking Vibration Control.
Post time: Feb-17-2023