CURRENT ISSUE | VOLUME 17 - ISSUE 10 | Product Resource Guide 2023
COVER STORY
Product Resource Guide '23
Your go-to source for technology trends and analysis, product offerings, and manufacturers
Business Management
Assembling a well-rounded team is essential to relocating a lab successfully
Outlining the elements of a contract testing partner relationship
Tips and tricks for finding quality alternatives to new equipment for your lab
Outsourcing can result in high-quality, quick, and cost-effective repairs
Lab services involve the same kinds of decisions as other investments
Leadership and Staffing
Staffing services offer a range of benefits but how do you know when you need them?
Asset Management
Protect valuable assets, samples, and time in the lab with lab monitoring services
Surveys
Insight into the purchasing power and decision-making of lab managers
Purchasing Guides
It is very important to purchase assays, kits, and reagents from trusted sources, as the experiments conducted will only be as good as the components in these products
Automated liquid handlers have several benefits, such as reducing the risk of cross-contamination and improving traceability with barcode scanning features
There are many different configurations to choose from with various accessories, compliance features, and settings
One consideration to keep in mind when purchasing a bath or chiller is whether you need a unit with extra features like circulation, ultrasonic cleaning, or shaking
Biological safety cabinets are crucial for the safety of staff and the protection of products, so it’s important to know when these units should be upgraded
There are many different sizes and types of centrifuges available to fit the requirements of a variety of applications
CRMs offer the highest level of accuracy over uncertified reference materials and can be used in the lab as controls
Laboratory cold storage solutions such as freezers, refrigerators, and cryogenic storage tanks are critical to keeping valuable reagents and priceless samples safe
Rotary evaporators are often used to remove low boiling organic solvents, and the addition of vacuum can lower the boiling point. Nitrogen evaporators apply a steady stream of nitrogen to remove moisture. Centrifugal evaporators, ideal for high-volume sample processing, use vacuum centrifugation to evaporate samples
Freeze dryers are used to preserve food, extend the shelf of pharmaceutical products and vaccines, and more via the process of sublimation
These ventilated enclosures enable laboratory personnel to safely work with materials that produce hazardous fumes and volatile vapors
The simplicity and sensitivity of this method means that it is widely used for applications such as drug testing, analyzing essential oils, and breaking down food samples.
This equipment cleans glassware more effectively than handwashing and limits your lab workers’ exposure to potentially harmful substances
Gloves boxes are completely closed compartments ranging in size from a few cubic feet to several hundred cubic feet
There are handheld and bench-mounted configurations available, along with a variety of probes to match various sample types
CO2 incubators allow researchers to create optimal environments for cell and tissue culture, while microbiology incubators provide ideal conditions for growing microorganisms
Laboratory informatics can be used to manage inventory, keep track of maintenance schedules,and more
Furnishing your laboratory with the right countertops, cabinets, seating, and storage can help to improve productivity and efficiency
Lab presses can be floor or benchtop units, can generate from 15 to upwards of 100 tons of compressive force, and have heated platens that can range from 600°F to 1200°F
Vacuum pumps are used in freeze drying, evaporation, and more. Non-vacuum pumps are used in automatic pipetting, titration, and other applications
Before purchasing LC systems, it’s important to consider your application as specific components, including columns and detectors, that are better suited for certain sample types
There are many different configurations of mass spectrometers available depending on the sample type being analyzed and the resolution and speed of analysis required
Because microplate handlers can increase user walk-away time, as well as throughput and efficiency, they are often used in biomarker research, cell biology, and assay development
Optical microscopes offer ease of use but have limited resolving power. SEMs use a beam of focused high-energy electrons to produce information about the specimen including morphology, chemical composition, and crystalline structure
Effective lab monitoring can help improve the reliability and performance of the lab and ensures that lab staff are notified of out-of-specification situations promptly
When purchasing technology for PCR and qPCR, consider the accuracy of the temperature and fluorescence measurements, and the robustness of the instrument as it will be running for long periods of time
Choosing the right pH meter probe (electrode) is important to configure the instrument to your sample type
From basic micropipettes to electronic pipettes, there are a variety of types and volume ranges available to fit your exact needs
Masks, face shields, safety goggles, lab coats, and gloves all limit your staff’s exposure to harmful agents
Automated sample preparation systems have numerous benefits, such as increasing lab throughput, lessening the margin for error, and minimizing risk of staff developing repetitive strain injuries
When purchasing, consider what detection range you will require for your sample type and look for instruments that are sensitive, accurate, and consistent
Stirrers and mixers are used for mixing a variety of samples in the lab, and there are numerous options available depending on what you’re mixing and the volume you’re working with
Supplies and consumables are all the things the lab needs to execute its scientific work. They are a hugely diverse set of materials, ranging from pipette tips to specialty gases
Valves come in a grand array of sizes, materials of construction, controls, and precision.
Depending on your applications and the space you have in your lab, there are many different filtration types, water purification techniques, and system configurations that could work best
Individual sellers, resale vendors, and auctions will have different policies and guarantees, so it is important to ask some quality assurance questions before buying
If done properly, finding the right lab staffing service can make the hiring process more efficient for you
With the right partner, outsourcing can be highly cost-effective and help position your lab for growth
Hiring a laboratory relocation company is one of the best ways to ensure a smooth transition to a new facility
In-house repairs aren’t always possible if none of the lab staff have the expertise needed, and OEM service contracts may not always be the best option. In such cases, third-party service contracts are the best route
