As part of our online Lab Products Survey series, Lab Manager Magazine has compiled the responses of 172 lab professionals regarding the use of incubators in their labs.
Laboratory incubators are used to grow and maintain cell cultures and are available in a variety of sizes and types. The incubator market is divided into two main categories: the gassed incubators which are the CO2 incubators, and the non-gassed or microbiological incubators. CO2 incubators are mainly used for cell culture and provide control over factors such as temperature, CO2 for maintaining proper pH levels, and humidity, all of which affect cell growth. Microbiological incubators are essentially temperature-controlled ovens that work within the biological range of 5ºC to 70ºC and are mostly used for growing and storing bacterial cultures.
Many vendors are working toward addressing some of the common challenges associated with culturing cells, the most important of which is reducing aerial contamination. As a result, a number of incubators now offer a high-temperature decontamination cycle that works much like a self-cleaning oven.
The application and the lab professional’s comfort level with the technology is what plays a big role in the selection of a new incubator. A majority of the respondents replied that the number one factor in selecting a new incubator is the performance and reliability of the unit in which to grow their cells.
For more information on incubators, please visit www.labmanager.com/incubators
Number of incubators being used in labs.
Category of incubators being used.
Types of incubators being used in the lab.
Options for temperature control used in the lab.
Related incubator components used in the lab.
Primary purpose for these incubators.
Satisfaction with incubators being used.
Annual budget for related equipment, parts, maintenance, service and repairs.
Purchasing plans for a new incubator
Reasons for purchasing a new incubator.
Factors/features that influence the decision-making process when buying an incubator.
Budget range for the purchase of a new incubator.
Respondents’ fields of work.
If you would like to participate in our laboratory equipment purchasing surveys, please visit www.labmanager.com/surveys
