Laboratory Microplate Shakers
Microtiter plate stirrers, also known as microplate stirrers or microplate shakers, are specialized laboratory devices designed for the simultaneous stirring or shaking of multiple samples in microtiter plates. Microtiter plates, also called microplates, are standardized multi-well plates commonly used in high-throughput screening and various laboratory assays. Microtiter plate stirrers are particularly useful when multiple samples need to be mixed or agitated simultaneously.
Key features of microtiter plate stirrers include:
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Multiple Well Compatibility: Microtiter plate stirrers are designed to accommodate standard microtiter plates with 96 or 384 wells. The design allows for even and simultaneous stirring or shaking of the contents in all wells.
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Compact Design: Microtiter plate stirrers are often compact and designed to fit easily on laboratory benches or within incubators. They are space-efficient to allow for integration into high-throughput workflows.
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Variable Speed Control: These stirrers typically offer variable speed control, allowing users to adjust the agitation speed according to the requirements of the experiment or assay.
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Orbital or Linear Motion: Microtiter plate stirrers may provide orbital or linear shaking motion. The choice of motion depends on the specific requirements of the experiment or assay.
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Digital Display and Controls: Many modern microtiter plate stirrers feature digital displays for monitoring and controlling parameters such as stirring speed and shaking motion.
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Temperature Control (Optional): Some models may have optional features for temperature control, allowing users to maintain a controlled temperature environment during mixing.
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Programmable Functions: Advanced microtiter plate stirrers may have programmable functions, allowing users to create customized shaking or stirring profiles for specific applications.
Microtiter plate stirrers find applications in various areas, including:
- Biological Assays: Stirring or shaking samples during enzyme assays, cell culture experiments, or other biological assays.
- Chemical Screening: High-throughput screening of compounds in drug discovery and chemical research.
- Sample Homogenization: Mixing and homogenizing samples for analytical or diagnostic purposes.
- PCR and DNA Analysis: Preparing and mixing samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA analysis.
- Immunology Assays: Shaking or stirring samples in immunoassays and diagnostic tests.
When selecting a microtiter plate stirrer, it's important to consider factors such as the plate size compatibility, the type of motion required, speed control, and any additional features needed for the specific applications in the laboratory.