Issue 1 - Thermo Fisher
Issue 1 - Thermo Fisher
Issue 1 - Thermo Fisher
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Cell Culture people you<br />
can contact today...<br />
Tina Mclure (Australia)<br />
Product Specialist – Cell Culture<br />
tina.mclure@thermofisher.com<br />
ph: +61 3 9757 4382<br />
Tina has been involved in the sales and product<br />
management of tissue culture products over the<br />
past 5 years and has just returned from visiting<br />
the Nunc and Nalgene manufacturing sites. Tina<br />
is very excited with the introduction of a number<br />
of new and innovative products for tissue culture<br />
work for 2010 and 2011.<br />
Peter Chisholm (Australia)<br />
Product Manager – Cell Culture and BioProcess<br />
peter.chisholm@thermofisher.com<br />
ph: +61 3 9757 4457<br />
Peter has been part of the life science industry<br />
for more than 30 years, and still loves what<br />
he is doing. Peter is always willing to share<br />
his industry-wide experience and expertise<br />
particularly in the Bioprocessing domain.<br />
Peter’s key responsibility is HyClone – the<br />
quality name in cell culture media, sera and<br />
bioprocessing containers.<br />
Jerry Wong (New Zealand)<br />
Product Specialist – Cell Culture<br />
jerry.wong@thermofisher.com<br />
ph: +64 9 980 6768<br />
Jerry completed his Bachelor of Technology<br />
honours degree (Biomedical Science) at the<br />
University of Auckland, and worked at Vialactia<br />
Biosciences Ltd before embarking on completing<br />
his PhD at the University of Auckland. Jerry’s<br />
research was in molecular neuroscience to<br />
investigate novel therapeutic strategies for<br />
Parkinson’s disease. Jerry joined our team early<br />
this year and will bring his extensive knowledge<br />
to our cell culture team.<br />
The <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific Story<br />
Australia & New Zealand<br />
<strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific is the world leader in serving<br />
science, enabling our customers to make the world<br />
healthier, cleaner and safer. In April 2009 <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong><br />
Scientific made a major investment in the Australasian<br />
region acquiring the distribution company Biolab which<br />
in itself has a 150 year history.<br />
By doing so, <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> has taken the first steps<br />
to bringing together worldwide leading products and<br />
brands into the one company. With our continued<br />
commitment and investment into R&D, analysis,<br />
discovery and diagnostics, <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific<br />
today is leading the way with an unparalleled product<br />
portfolio and service offering, combined with a<br />
customer-focused technical sales capability.<br />
Globally, <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific has 33,000<br />
employees from 38 countries all sharing in the same<br />
mission and core values expressed as the four I’s:<br />
Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement. So it<br />
is a great pleasure to have the opportunity to relaunch<br />
the previously known publication Helix, with the aim<br />
of sharing one of those key values by renaming the<br />
publication Bio-Innovation.<br />
Bio-Innovation will be published quarterly and will<br />
provide researchers with the latest updates on new<br />
applications and methodology (including new products<br />
and technologies) with the first issue focusing on<br />
Cell Culture. This issue will also be available at the<br />
forthcoming Australian Society of Immunology<br />
meeting, Perth, 5-9 December 2010. Our next issue<br />
will be focussed on molecular biology.<br />
Christopher Hum<br />
Business Development Manager<br />
Biosciences<br />
2
Application Note<br />
Contents<br />
Articles<br />
Outstanding Observation: A Faster Way To Publish Your Groundbreaking Findings<br />
Stem Cell Promise–Research Brings Autograft Revolution Closer<br />
Choosing the Right Centrifuge for Your Application<br />
4<br />
20<br />
22<br />
37°C<br />
Applications<br />
Technical Bulletin: Cell Adhesion & Growth<br />
5<br />
20°C<br />
UpCell Surface versus Trypsinisation and Scraping in Cell Detachment<br />
Take Your Cell-Based Assays To The Edge / Vita Means Life<br />
A Novel Feeder-Free Embryonic Stem Cell Culture System<br />
Endothelial Progenitors Encapsulated In Bioartificial Niches Are<br />
Insulated From Systemic Cytotoxicity & Are Angiogenesis Competent<br />
Real World Advantages In Breast Cancer Analysis<br />
Water Quality Standards For Research And Analysis Applications<br />
Testing The Efficacy Of The Antimicrobial Treatment – A Study<br />
Preventing Cell Culture Contamination with Copper CO 2<br />
Incubators<br />
6<br />
7<br />
8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
11<br />
18<br />
19<br />
Advancing Cell Culture 12-17<br />
News, Events & Exhibitions<br />
The Next Generation In Automated Liquid Handling<br />
When is a μL not a μL?<br />
Chart MVE for Ultra Cold Storage<br />
Culture Serum Q & A<br />
24<br />
25<br />
26<br />
27<br />
3
article<br />
Outstanding Observation: A faster way to publish<br />
your groundbreaking findings<br />
It is often difficult to publish novel findings if they do<br />
not also include a detailed description of the molecular<br />
mechanisms involved. Researchers may find that the<br />
dissemination of their groundbreaking discoveries is<br />
delayed by months or even years as they try to provide<br />
the in-depth mechanistic data required to satisfy the<br />
submission criteria for their desired journal.<br />
Professor Chris R Parish, Editor-in-<br />
Chief, Immunology and Cell Biology<br />
In an effort to break through this<br />
barrier and to allow immunologists<br />
to publish their paradigm-shifting<br />
results without getting held up<br />
with the mechanistic basis of the<br />
observations, Immunology and Cell<br />
Biology launched the Outstanding<br />
Observation series in 2008.<br />
Owing to the cutting-edge nature<br />
of this type of article, papers are<br />
expedited through the refereeing<br />
process and are therefore published<br />
more rapidly than standard articles.<br />
I would like to invite you to sample 2<br />
recent examples of this article type:<br />
Polyclonal Treg cells enhance the<br />
activity of a mucosal adjuvant<br />
Silvia Vendetti, Todd S Davidson,<br />
Filippo Veglia, et al.Immunology and<br />
Cell Biology (2010) 88, 698-706<br />
CD69 limits early inflammatory<br />
diseases associated with<br />
immune response to Listeria<br />
monocytogenes infection Javier<br />
Vega-Ramos, Elisenda Alari-Pahissa,<br />
Juana del Valle, et al. Immunology<br />
and Cell Biology (2010) 88, 707-715<br />
Access these articles free of charge via the<br />
Scan these tags with<br />
your mobile phone for<br />
instant access to<br />
these articles.<br />
Download the free app<br />
for your phone at<br />
http://gettag.mobi<br />
Immunology & Cell Biology website. www.nature.com/icb<br />
Congratulations to Dr Cindy Ma, Immunology and Inflammation, Garvan Institute of Medical Research,<br />
NSW, Australia, winner of the 2009 Outstanding Observation ICB Publication of the Year award.<br />
The award is a AU$1000 scholarship provided by the Nature Publishing Group.<br />
Also Congratulations to Dr Mark Dowling, Immunology, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, VIC, Australia<br />
as runner-up and will receive AU$500 travel scholarship provided by <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific.<br />
4
Technical Bulletin: Cell Adhesion & Growth. A comparison<br />
of Coated, Modified Glass and Plastic Surfaces<br />
Wendy K. Scholz, <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific<br />
Application Note<br />
Introduction<br />
Historically, glass has been used as the growth<br />
surface for cells since it has superior optical qualities<br />
and is naturally charged. Disposable plastic, especially<br />
polystyrene is now commonly used for cell culture growth.<br />
Plastic culture vessels are of good optical quality, and the<br />
growth surface is flat. However, since most plastics are<br />
hydrophobic and unsuitable for cell growth, they are often<br />
treated with radiation, chemicals or electric ion discharge to<br />
generate a charged, hydrophilic surface. Such treatment of<br />
plastic generates a surface preferred<br />
over glass by many cell types.<br />
The growth of various cell types on plastic, soda lime glass<br />
and borosilicate coverglass was examined. The surfaces<br />
were either unmodified, coated with polylysine, or stably<br />
surface modified with non-biological reagents or electrical<br />
discharge. Glass surfaces were chemically modified in<br />
two ways: using a proprietary procedure and reagents<br />
or as described by Kleinfeld, et al. (1988). All substrates<br />
were assembled into <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Nunc Lab-Tek and<br />
Lab-Tek II Chamber Slide products.<br />
General<br />
Growth substrates may affect the morphology,<br />
differentiation and behavior of various cell types.<br />
A cell’s repertoire on various surfaces is cell type specific.<br />
Epithelial and fibroblast cell lines remain proliferative on cell<br />
culture treated plastic. Biological coatings and chemically<br />
modified surfaces may reduce the proliferation rate by<br />
inducing differentiation into a more mature state. Cells in<br />
a more differentiated state usually function and express<br />
proteins characteristic of the tissue of origin.<br />
Culturing neurons is a particular challenge since they do not<br />
continue proliferating after dissociation. Neuron survival in<br />
culture is dependent on cell adhesion and differentiation,<br />
which can be facilitated by modifying the surface with a<br />
biological coating or chemical modification.This bulletin<br />
examines the correlation between primary neuron adhesion<br />
and differentiation, and surface properties such as surface<br />
energy and available specific substrate molecules.<br />
Selection of a growth surface for cell culture<br />
should also be based on application. While glass and<br />
plastic growth surfaces are flat and optically clear they<br />
differ in many ways that may affect performance in various<br />
applications. Glass surfaces offer optimal optical clarity<br />
with a minimal autofluorescence and are preferred for<br />
most fluorescent applications. Polystyrene can be used for<br />
fluorescein if the proper blocking filters are used in the UV/<br />
blue range and perform well at longer wavelengths. Glass<br />
surfaces are more resistant than plastics to solvents, acids,<br />
bases and heat. Fixative compatibility studies have been<br />
performed on glass and plastic.<br />
Results:<br />
Cells of the fibroblast-like cell line BHK-21 (baby hamster<br />
kidney), which are very adherent, did not distinguish<br />
between these growth surfaces. The less adherent<br />
fibroblast-like cell line L929 (mouse lung) and two epitheliallike<br />
cell lines, HEp-2 (human epidermal) and WISH (human<br />
amnion), grew to slightly higher densities and produced<br />
more uniform monolayers when grown on electrically<br />
modified plastic compared to unmodified plastic or glass.<br />
These cell types also grew very well on both types of<br />
chemically modified glass surfaces.Primary brain neurons<br />
did not adhere to unmodified plastic or glass surfaces.<br />
However, neurons adhered and differentiated on polylysine<br />
coated glass or plastic surfaces and, albeit differently, on<br />
both of the chemically modified glass surfaces. Electrical<br />
modification of the plastic or glass, which significantly<br />
increased the surface energy or wettability, did not produce<br />
a surface suitable for these neurons. Adhesion, growth and<br />
differentiation of cells on a surface is cell type specific and<br />
involves more than one mechanism. Many cell lines prefer<br />
surfaces with a high surface energy such as produced by<br />
electrical modification. Other cell types, such as primary<br />
neurons, require a specific interaction with functional<br />
groups provided by polylysine coating or chemical<br />
modification of the growth surface.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The effect of growth surfaces on adhesion, growth and<br />
differentiation of cells is cell-type specific and involves more<br />
than one mechanism.<br />
• Many cells prefer surfaces with high surface<br />
energies (i.e. hydrophilic surfaces).<br />
• Growth surfaces such as CC2 may improve cell<br />
adhesion and induce cellular differentiation<br />
of fibroblastic-like cells.<br />
• High surface energy is not sufficient for<br />
primary neuron growth.<br />
• Biological coatings or chemical modifications<br />
that place amines on the growth surface facilitate<br />
primary neuron adhesion and differentiation.<br />
• Other variables, such as those that differentiate<br />
European and American borosilicate coverglass,<br />
may influence neuron survival on glass surfaces.<br />
For more information or to obtain a full copy of<br />
this technical bulletin please contact:<br />
Tina McLure(AU)<br />
tina.mclure@thermofisher.com<br />
Ph: +61 3 9757 4382<br />
Dr Jerry Wong (NZ)<br />
jerry.wong@thermofisher.com<br />
Ph: +64 9 980 6768<br />
5
Application Note<br />
UpCell Surface versus Trypsinisation<br />
and Scraping in Cell Detachment<br />
This compares the recovery of mouse peritoneal<br />
macrophages harvested from the UpCell Surface<br />
using temperature reduction with those harvested<br />
from traditional cultureware (tissue culture-treated<br />
polystyrene) using trypsinisation or scraping.<br />
37°C<br />
20°C<br />
Methods<br />
Mouse peritoneal macrophages in RPMI 1640 medium<br />
supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) were<br />
seeded in one dish with UpCell Surface and two traditional<br />
cultureware dishes at 2.4 x 10 5 cells/cm 2 . The cells were<br />
incubated at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO 2<br />
in air. After 2 hours of incubation, non-adherent cells were<br />
removed by washing with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).<br />
Cells were then cultured for 2 days in RPMI 1640 medium<br />
supplemented with 10% FBS and harvested using one of the<br />
following procedures:<br />
Harvest of cells from the UpCell Surface using<br />
temperature reduction<br />
• Non-adherent cells were removed by washing with<br />
Ca 2+ – and Mg 2+ –free PBS<br />
• 4.0 mL RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with<br />
10% FBS was added and the dish was incubated<br />
at 20°C for 30 minutes<br />
• Detached cells were harvested<br />
Harvest of cells from traditional cultureware using<br />
trypsinisation<br />
• Non-adherent cells were removed by washing with<br />
Ca 2+ – and Mg 2+ –free PBS<br />
• 1.0 mL of 0.25% trypsin/EDTA was added, and the<br />
dish was incubated at 37°C for 5 minutes<br />
• 3.0 mL RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with<br />
10% FBS was added<br />
• Detached cells were harvested<br />
Harvest of cells from traditional cultureware using EDTA<br />
and scraping<br />
• Non-adherent cells were removed by washing with<br />
Ca 2+ – and Mg 2+ –free PBS<br />
• 4.0 mL of 2.5 mM EDTA/PBS was added and the dish<br />
was incubated on ice for 20 minutes<br />
• The cells were detached by scraping and harvested<br />
Results<br />
The harvested cells were counted and the recovery<br />
ratio was calculated.<br />
Figure 1. Photomicrographs of mouse peritoneal macrophages<br />
on the UpCell Surface before (a) and after (b) temperature<br />
reduction. After temperature reduction, the cells detached from<br />
the surface and became spherical. After harvesting of the cells<br />
by pipetting, only a few cells remained on the UpCell Surface (c).<br />
Recovery ratio (%)<br />
a B C<br />
100<br />
80<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
0<br />
temperature Temperature reductionS Reduction Scraping Trypsinisation<br />
trypsinization<br />
Upcell Surface<br />
traditional cultureware<br />
Figure 2. Recovery ratio of mouse peritoneal macrophages<br />
harvested from the UpCell Surface was compared with<br />
recovery ratios of these cells harvested by either enzymatic<br />
(trypsinization) or mechanical (scraping) methods. The recovery<br />
of cells from the UpCell Surface was significantly higher than<br />
the recovery of cells harvested from traditional cultureware by<br />
trypsinisation or scraping. Mean and SD is shown.<br />
For more information please contact: Tina McLure (AU) Email: tina.mclure@thermofisher.com or Ph: +61 3 9757 4382<br />
Dr Jerry Wong (NZ) jerry.wong@thermofisher.com or Ph: +64 9 980 6768<br />
6
Take Your Cell-based Assays to the Edge<br />
Application Note<br />
In cell culture, a volume loss as<br />
small as 10% concentrates media<br />
components and metabolites<br />
enough to alter cell physiology, in<br />
some cases, severely. With this in<br />
mind, <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific recently<br />
unveiled its latest advancement in<br />
plates for cell culture.<br />
The Nunc Edge 96-well plates for<br />
cell-based assays incorporate large<br />
perimeter evaporative buffer zones<br />
that eliminate well-to-well variability,<br />
while dramatically reducing the<br />
overall plate evaporation rate to<br />
lower that 2% after seven days<br />
of incubation.<br />
And what’s the result? Tests have<br />
shown more viable and healthy<br />
cell yields are obtained.<br />
The unique buffer zones enable<br />
the use of all 96 wells on the plate<br />
and greatly reduce the edge effect<br />
commonly experienced in cell culture<br />
and maintaining data consistency<br />
throughout the plate.<br />
The implications of volume loss can<br />
concentrate media components<br />
and metabolites enough to alter cell<br />
physiology, a phenomena which is<br />
more pronounced in the outer and<br />
corner wells. The Nunc Edge plates<br />
significantly reduce this occurrence,<br />
effectively maintaining sample<br />
concentrations over long periods of<br />
incubation. The prevention of cell<br />
death and toxicity in the plates’ outer<br />
wells allows results to remain more<br />
true to the population phenotype<br />
for more efficient, high throughput<br />
analysis.<br />
In cell-based assays where multiple<br />
targets are simultaneously imaged,<br />
all the fluorescence from a single<br />
location needs to focus at the same<br />
point within the imaging system. The<br />
flatness of the plates eliminates the<br />
occurrence of chromatic aberrations,<br />
enabling efficient automated<br />
imaging. Furthermore, varying<br />
reagent concentrations from assay<br />
washing/aspiration steps are also<br />
dramatically reduced.<br />
Advantages of <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific<br />
Nunc Edge Plate<br />
• Low-evaporation “moat”<br />
• 96 well format - follows ANSI standard<br />
footprint and is amenable to automation<br />
• Simply fill moat with sterile H 2<br />
O and<br />
eliminate edge effects<br />
• Cell culture treated or non-treated<br />
• Low fluorescence<br />
• Custom barcoding available – the safest<br />
way to track your samples<br />
• Designed for both automated<br />
or manual use<br />
• Superior imaging<br />
For more information please contact:<br />
Tina McLure (AU) tina.mclure@thermofisher.com<br />
or Ph: +61 3 9757 4382<br />
Dr Jerry Wong (NZ) jerry.wong@thermofisher.com<br />
or Ph: +64 9 980 6768<br />
Vita means Life : NEW <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific<br />
Nunc Nunclon Vita Surface<br />
Animal component-free surface for growth of stem cells & other fastidious cells.<br />
Nunclon Vita Surface supports<br />
attachment, colony formation and<br />
growth of human ESC, human IPS<br />
cells and other fastidious cell lines in<br />
the absence of feeder cells and matrix<br />
coatings. In media supplemented with<br />
ROCK inhibitor, human ESC can be<br />
cultured on the Nunclon Vita Surface<br />
for at least 10 passages without loss<br />
of pluripotency. Human ESC has<br />
successfully been expanded for more<br />
than 10 passages without changes to<br />
the karyotype.<br />
The unique Nunclon<br />
Vita surface helps<br />
remove variability, requires<br />
less work, and allows for the<br />
treatment surface to be adaptable<br />
to scalable cell expansion.<br />
Human Embryonic Stem Cells<br />
(human ESC)<br />
• No matrix coating or feeder cells necessary<br />
• Expand for more than 10 passages in conditioned<br />
media with a ROCK inhibitor while maintaining pluripotency<br />
• Passage with enzymes or by mechanical selection<br />
• Alternatively, passage by withdrawing ROCK inhibitor followed by<br />
a short incubation and gentle pipetting<br />
7
Application Note<br />
A Novel Feeder-Free Embryonic Stem Cell Culture System that<br />
Supports Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Growth and Proliferation<br />
Kalle Johnson 1 , Robin Wesselschmidt 2 , Mark Wight1, Thomas I. Zarembinski 3<br />
Figure 1: Phase contrast<br />
photographs of mESC<br />
colonies over the course<br />
of the study. Photos<br />
of colonies grown on<br />
HyStem-C (top Row)<br />
and photos of colonies<br />
co-cultured with MEF<br />
feeders (bottom row).<br />
Morphologies bear<br />
slight differences<br />
between HyStem-C<br />
and MEF co-cultures.<br />
However, cultures grown<br />
on both substrates were<br />
able to maintain colonies<br />
that generally exhibited<br />
relatively regular, phasebright,<br />
well defined<br />
borders, characteristic of<br />
undifferentiated mESC<br />
colonies.<br />
HyStem<br />
iMEF<br />
Passage 1<br />
Passage 2 Passage 3 Passage 4 Passage 5<br />
1<br />
<strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific<br />
Inc., 925 West 1800<br />
South, Logan, Utah<br />
84321<br />
2<br />
Primogenix Inc., 165<br />
Missouri Blvd, Laurie,<br />
MO 65038<br />
3<br />
Glycosan BioSystems,<br />
Inc., 675 Arapeen Drive,<br />
Suite 302, Salt Lake City,<br />
Utah 84108<br />
References:<br />
1) Gerecht S et al,<br />
Hyaluronic acid hydrogel<br />
for controlled<br />
self-renewal<br />
and differentiation of<br />
human embryonic stem<br />
cells PNAS 2007 vol 104:<br />
11298–11303.<br />
2) Engler et al, Matrix<br />
Elasticity Directs<br />
Stem Cell Lineage<br />
Specification Cell 2006<br />
vol 126: 677-689.<br />
For more information<br />
please contact:<br />
Peter Chisholm (AU)<br />
peter.chisholm@<br />
thermofisher.com<br />
Ph: +61 3 9757 4457<br />
Jerry Wong (NZ)<br />
jerry.wong@<br />
thermofisher.com<br />
Ph: +64 9 980 6768<br />
Standard embryonic stem cell culture systems require<br />
co-culture with mitotically inactive mouse embryonic<br />
fibroblast feeder cells (iMEFs) to maintain their<br />
undifferentiated proliferative state.<br />
While iMEFs provide a suitable attachment surface<br />
and crucial soluble factors promoting embryonic stem<br />
cell (ESC) growth and proliferation, iMEFs are timeconsuming<br />
to prepare. More importantly, iMEFs vary<br />
from lot-to-lot and contaminate ESCs with carry over<br />
iMEFs from previous culture passages.<br />
These latter shortcomings confound basic research<br />
attempting to dissect the culture components or<br />
underlying gene and protein expression patterns<br />
important for ESC proliferation and differentiation.<br />
Development of a feeder-free system for embryonic<br />
stem cell culture using a synthetic matrix would provide a<br />
ready-to-use substrate which is consistent from lot to lot<br />
without iMEF carry over.<br />
iMEFs make abundant amounts of hyaluronic acid (HA)<br />
which is important for not only embryogenesis but<br />
also for human embryonic stem cell culture (1) . Using<br />
mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) as a model<br />
system, we reasoned that the use of a commercially<br />
available HA-rich matrix would provide a suitable starting<br />
point for preparing a novel feeder-free substrate for<br />
undifferentiated growth.<br />
Here we report the use of a crosslinkable HA-based<br />
substrate (HyStem-CTM) for feeder-free propagation<br />
of mESCs in the presence of FBS. mESCs plated on<br />
HyStem-C maintain excellent morphology and offer<br />
comparable plating efficiency to those grown on iMEFs.<br />
Data from FACS analysis as well as immunocytochemistry<br />
to confirm the presence of key recognised pluripotency<br />
markers will be presented. (Figure 1)<br />
This novel feeder-free cell culture system has potential<br />
uses in proteomic analysis since no carryover iMEF<br />
proteins will be present in embryonic stem cell extracts.<br />
In addition, statistics from high content analysis and<br />
high-throughput screening efforts employing mouse<br />
embryonic stem cells will be improved due to increased<br />
consistency during the screening campaign.<br />
Finally, the possibility exists to alter the stiffness or<br />
composition of the matrix in a manner that may enhance<br />
efforts to drive the pluripotent cells down desired<br />
lineages (2) .<br />
Three types available<br />
• HyStem Hydrogel - Chemically modified<br />
hyaluronan crosslinked with PEFDA<br />
• HyStem-C – HyStem with chemically<br />
modified gelatin added<br />
• HyStem-HP – HyStem-C with<br />
chemically modified heparin<br />
Hydrogels can be easily customised<br />
• by adding ECM proteins<br />
• by varying the Hydrogel compliance to match the<br />
stiffness of the native tissues<br />
• easy control over the amount and type of ECM protein<br />
incorporated<br />
• no autofluorescence<br />
• ideal for non-adherent cells – easy to mobilise<br />
• for adherent cells, simply add choice/selective cell<br />
attachment peptide<br />
• allows encapsulation and implantation of cells<br />
8
Endothelial progenitors encapsulated in bioartificial niches are<br />
insulated from systemic cytotoxicity & are angiogenesis competent<br />
B. B. Ratliff, 1 T. Ghaly,1* P. Brudnicki, 1 * K. Yasuda, 1 M. Rajdev, 1 M. Bank,1 J. Mares, 1 A. K. Hatzopoulos, 2 and M. S. Goligorsky 1<br />
Special Interest<br />
Endothelial progenitors encapsulated in bioartificial<br />
niches are insulated from systemic cytotoxicity and<br />
are angiogenesis competent. First published April 21 st ,<br />
2010—intrinsic stem cells (SC) participate in tissue<br />
remodeling and regeneration in various diseases and<br />
following toxic insults. Failure of tissue regeneration is in<br />
part attributed to lack of SC protection from toxic stress of<br />
noxious stimuli, thus prompting intense research efforts<br />
to develop strategies for SC protection and functional<br />
preservation for in vivo delivery. One strategy is creation<br />
of artificial SC niches in an attempt to mimic the<br />
requirements of endogenous SC niches by generating<br />
scaffolds with properties of extracellular matrix. Here,<br />
we investigated the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels<br />
as an artificial SC niche and examined regenerative<br />
capabilities of encapsulated embryonic endothelial<br />
progenitor cells (eEPC) in three different in vivo models.<br />
Hydrogel encapsulated eEPC demonstrated improved<br />
resistance to toxic insult (adriamycin) in vitro, thus<br />
prompting in vivo studies. Implantation of HA hydrogels<br />
containing eEPC to mice with adriamycin nephropathy<br />
or renal ischemia resulted in eEPC mobilization to<br />
injured kidneys (and to a lesser extent to the spleen)<br />
and improvement of renal function, which was equal or<br />
superior to adoptively transferred EPC by intravenous<br />
infusion. In mice with hindlimb ischemia, EPC<br />
encapsulated in HA hydrogels dramatically accelerated<br />
the recovery of collateral circulation with the efficacy<br />
superior to intravenous infusion of EPC. In conclusion, HA<br />
hydrogels protect eEPC against adriamycin cytotoxicity<br />
and implantation of eEPC encapsulated in HA hydrogels<br />
supports renal regeneration in ischemic and cytotoxic<br />
(adriamycin) nephropathy and neovascularization of<br />
ischemic hindlimb, thus establishing their functional<br />
competence and superior capabilities to deliver stem<br />
cells stored in and released from this bioartificial niche.<br />
INTRINSIC ADULT STEM CELLS participate in tissue<br />
remodeling and regeneration in various chronic diseases<br />
and following noxious cardio- and/or nephrotoxic insults<br />
(30). Failure of tissue regeneration is in part attributed<br />
to the fact that stem cells are not entirely protected<br />
from cytotoxic or genotoxic stress of noxious stimuli.<br />
One of the striking examples of stem cell vulnerability is<br />
represented by the toxicity profile of a commonly used<br />
chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (adriamycin). This<br />
agent leads to severe cardiomyopathy and nephropathy<br />
due to induction of oxidative stress, and stem cells<br />
are equally affected. Similar vulnerability of stem cells<br />
has been reported in other chronic diseases, such as<br />
atherosclerosis, essential hypertension, preeclampsia,<br />
hyperglycemia, smoking, and type I and type II diabetes,<br />
to name a few. Inexorable progression of these diseases<br />
may be in part explained by the reduced ability of<br />
stem cells to participate in tissue regeneration. The<br />
efficacy of stem cell transplantation in some disease<br />
states is the ultimate proof of the concept that stem<br />
cell incompetence developing in the course of chronic<br />
diseases and after exposure to noxious stimuli results in<br />
failed regeneration and progressive tissue degeneration.<br />
Intense research efforts have been mounted to develop<br />
strategies for stem cell protection and functional<br />
preservation. One direction is based on creation of<br />
artificial stem cell niches. The concept of stem cell<br />
niche is 30 years old yet adult stem cell niches remain<br />
elusive. The best-studied niches are represented by<br />
those harboring germline stem cells, bone marrow<br />
hematopoietic stem cells, and stem cells of intestinal<br />
crypts, to name a few. Consensus has been reached<br />
that the stem cell niche provides an umbrella<br />
microenvironment supporting cell attachment and<br />
quiescence by sheltering stem cells from proliferation<br />
and differentiation signals, enhances cell survival,<br />
regulates stem cell division and renewal, and coordinates<br />
the population of resident stem cells to meet the actual<br />
requirements of an organ. Creation of artificial stem cell<br />
niches represents an attempt to mimic some of these<br />
requirements by providing cells with a low-oxygen<br />
environment within avascular scaffolds, but ensuring<br />
their ability to preserve the phenotype, quiescence,<br />
recruitability, and protection from the noxious stimuli.<br />
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have been shown to<br />
participate in regenerative processes. Transplantation of<br />
EPC augments neovascularization of ischemic/infarcted<br />
myocardium, ischemic limbs, or brain. EPC may play a<br />
critical role in the maintenance of integrity of vascular<br />
endothelium and in its repair after injury or inflammation.<br />
EPC are subjected to various stressors, similar to all<br />
somatic cells that could impair their competence.<br />
Hyperglycemia has been reported to reduce survival and<br />
impair function of circulating EPC. There is emerging<br />
evidence that senescence may serve as an important<br />
mechanism mediating EPC dysfunction. Decreased<br />
numbers and increased proportion of senescent EPC<br />
have been reported in patients with preeclampsia or<br />
hypertension. Angiotensin II can induce EPC senescence<br />
through the induction of oxidative stress and influence<br />
telomerase activity. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein<br />
induces EPC senescence and dysfunction. In addition,<br />
EPC dysfunction has been documented in type I and<br />
II diabetes, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis,<br />
vasculitis with kidney involvement, and end-stage renal<br />
disease. Therefore, the goals of studies presented herein<br />
were to expand the knowledge on EPC behavior in<br />
hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, examine the resistance of<br />
thus stored stem cells to noxious effects of adriamycin,<br />
the efficacy of EPC mobilization, and the competence of<br />
encapsulated endothelial progenitors to contribute to the<br />
postischemic organ repair and neovascularization.<br />
1<br />
Departments of<br />
Medicine, Physiology,<br />
and Pharmacology, New<br />
York Medical College,<br />
Valhalla, New York; and<br />
2<br />
Department of Medicine,<br />
Division of Cardiovascular<br />
Medicine, and<br />
Department of Cell and<br />
Developmental Biology,<br />
Vanderbilt University,<br />
Nashville, Tennessee<br />
For the full article<br />
please contact:<br />
Peter Chisholm (AU),<br />
peter.chisholm@<br />
thermofisher.com<br />
Ph: +61 3 9757 4457<br />
Jerry Wong (NZ)<br />
jerry.wong@<br />
thermofisher.com<br />
Ph: +64 9 980 6768<br />
9
Latest news<br />
Real world advantages in breast cancer analysis<br />
Allen M. Gown, M.D. Medical Director and Chief PathologistPhenoPath Laboratories-Seattle, WA<br />
Figure 1 (top right) : SP1<br />
(<strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific rabbit<br />
monoclonal antibodies)<br />
Figure 2: (below right) SP3<br />
(<strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific rabbit<br />
monoclonal antibodies)<br />
References:<br />
1.<br />
Huang Z., at el Appl<br />
Immunohistochem Mol<br />
Morphol. 2005; 13: 91-95.<br />
2.<br />
Gown AM., at el. J Clin<br />
Oncol. 2006; 24: 5626-7.<br />
3.<br />
Gown AM., at el. Mod<br />
Pathol. 2008.<br />
Two <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific rabbit monoclonal<br />
antibodies are poised to have a significant<br />
impact on the immunohistochemical analysis<br />
of prognostic and predictive breast cancer<br />
markers: <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific SP1, a rabbit<br />
monoclonal antibody directed against the<br />
estrogen receptor alpha molecule, and target<br />
of tamoxifen; and <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific SP3, a<br />
rabbit monoclonal antibody directed against<br />
the HER2 transmembrane receptor, the target<br />
of trastuzumab (Herceptin).<br />
SP1 has been demonstrated to have an eight fold higher<br />
affinity for the estrogen receptor compared with the<br />
1D5 mouse monoclonal antibody that has been widely<br />
used in immunohistochemical analyses of breast<br />
cancer. 1 This higher affinity translates into a more robust<br />
immunohistochemical reagent, as was demonstrated<br />
in the paper published by Cheang et al, 2 describing a<br />
collaborative study performed by the British Columbia<br />
Cancer Agency and PhenoPath Laboratories.<br />
In this tissue microarray-based study of 4,150 patients<br />
in which determination of ER status with SP1 was<br />
compared with 1D5, with a median follow-up, of 12.4<br />
years, SP1 was found in multivariate analyses to be a<br />
better independent prognostic factor than 1D5.<br />
Furthermore, determination of ER status using the<br />
SP1 antibody was more precise compared with the<br />
1D5 antibody. The cohort, corresponding to 8% of the<br />
patients, who were SP1+ and 1D5-, i.e., who would have<br />
been classified as negative based on 1D5, were found<br />
to have a good outcome indicative of ER positive breast<br />
cancer. SP1-determined ER status also correlated better<br />
with ligand binding ER assay results. The study concluded<br />
that SP1 may represent an improved standard for ER<br />
assessment by immunohistochemistry in breast cancer.<br />
More recent studies performed at PhenoPath<br />
Laboratories and presented this past spring at the USCAP<br />
meeting in Denver 3 document the potential advantages<br />
of SP3 as an immunohistochemical reagent in the<br />
assessment of HER2 status. In a series of 421 breast<br />
cancers analyzed for HER2 by immunohistochemistry,<br />
comparing the SP3 rabbit monoclonal antibody with a<br />
rabbit polyclonal antibody (Dako A0485), SP3 was found<br />
to be a more robust reagent, producing more consistent<br />
run-to-run immunostaining with fewer run failures.<br />
The study also showed that while both antibodies<br />
produced results that were greater than 95% concordant<br />
with those of FISH, the SP3 antibody was more<br />
“efficient” in yielding fewer 2+ cases. SP1 and SP3 will<br />
undoubtedly be the subject of future studies, but the data<br />
to date suggest that both could well become the new<br />
gold standard for immunohistochemical analysis of breast<br />
cancer markers.<br />
For further information in Australia &<br />
New Zealand please contact:<br />
Julie Bloem, Business Development Manager<br />
Ph: +61 418 385 101 or julie.bloem@thermofisher.com<br />
Heidi Farrow, Product Specialist<br />
Ph: +61 407 844 114 or heidi.farrow@thermofisher.com<br />
10
Cell Culture<br />
Testing the efficacy of the antimicrobial<br />
treatment – a study<br />
ELGA LabWater–Water quality standards<br />
for Research and analysis applications<br />
Advancing<br />
LCP Research Group, <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific, Vantaa, Finland<br />
Type 1+ – Goes beyond the purity requirements<br />
of Type 1 water’<br />
Microbes, such as bacteria, fungi and algae, are found<br />
everywhere around us, and they are also present in the<br />
human skin. Normally they are not harmful, but in some<br />
cases they may cause deterioration of the material<br />
they grow on or cause cross contamination. Even<br />
when strict cleanliness is observed, microbes from<br />
the hands may contaminate any surface. Antimicrobial<br />
treatment protects from microbial growth and adds<br />
additional protection against cross- contamination.<br />
i.e. bacteria from a pipette that could contaminate the<br />
sample.<br />
How does it work?<br />
The active ingredient of the antimicrobial material<br />
tested is silver in the form of silver ions. In a humid<br />
environment the ions are slowly released from the<br />
inorganic matrix via an ion-exchange mechanism.<br />
The release is slow, but fast enough to maintain an<br />
effective concentration on the surface of the material.<br />
Silver ions are taken up by microbial cells and interrupt<br />
critical functions, such as DNA replication, resulting<br />
in the death of the microbes. The antimicrobial effect<br />
of the material used is longterm and silver inhibits the<br />
growth of a broad spectrum of microorganisms.<br />
Testing the efficacy of the antimicrobial treatment<br />
The antimicrobial effect of the material was evaluated<br />
according to ASTM standard E21 80. The standard<br />
describes a test method to evaluate (quantitatively) the<br />
antimicrobial effectiveness of agents incorporated or<br />
bound into or onto mainly flat hydrophobic or polymeric<br />
surfaces. The test organisms used were Escherichia<br />
coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and<br />
conidiospores of Aspergillus niger.<br />
Contamination of the antimicrobial polymer pieces<br />
(from a <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Finnpipette F1 - The handle<br />
and the dispensing button are made of an antimicrobial<br />
polymer) was carried out by pipetting 0.2 ml of the<br />
cell or conidiospore suspension on test pieces that<br />
were stored in a horizontal position throughout<br />
the experiments. After complete drying of the<br />
suspensions, the amount of colony forming units (cfu,<br />
a measure for viable cells) was determined after 4<br />
hours and after 24 hours.<br />
After 4 hours, a reduction of cfu was seen for all four<br />
test organisms. After 24 hours, the reduction was<br />
improved for each microorganism, except in those<br />
cases where 100% reduction was already achieved at<br />
the 4 hour mark, see Figure 1.<br />
These results show that the antimicrobial material<br />
results in a significant reduction of microorganisms,<br />
demonstrating the efficacy of the antimicrobial<br />
polymer.<br />
Please note: The antimicrobial treatment does not<br />
remove dirt and does not protect users or others<br />
against bacteria, viruses or other disease organisms.<br />
Figure 1. Reduction of model microorganisms on an<br />
antimicrobial polymer. The colony forming units were<br />
determined at 4 and 24 hours after inoculation<br />
Scientists perform a vast range of<br />
applications in many different kinds<br />
of laboratories. Therefore, different<br />
grades of water must be purified<br />
and utilised to match the required<br />
procedures or appliances. Water is<br />
one of the major components in many<br />
applications, but the significance of<br />
its purity is often not recognised.<br />
In this section we highlight some common applications<br />
and provide guidance on the water quality required.<br />
We also provide some guidance on what purification<br />
technologies you should be looking for in your water<br />
system. There are many water quality standards<br />
published throughout the world, however only a few<br />
are relevant to specific research applications. This has<br />
resulted in the majority of water purification companies,<br />
including ELGA, adopting broad generic classifications<br />
defined by measurable physical and chemical limits.<br />
Throughout this application note we will refer to the<br />
“Types” of water referred to in this chart (see right).<br />
Type I – Often referred to as ultra pure, this grade is<br />
required for some of the most water-critical<br />
applications such as HPLC (High Performance Liquid<br />
Chromatography) mobile phase preparation, as well<br />
as, blanks and sample dilution for other key analytical<br />
techniques; such as GC (Gas Chromatography),<br />
AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry)<br />
and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass<br />
Spectrometry). Type I is also required for molecular<br />
biology applications as well as mammalian cell<br />
culture and IVF (In vitro Fertilisation).<br />
Type II – Is the grade for general laboratory<br />
applications. This may include media preparation,<br />
pH solutions and buffers and for certain clinical<br />
analysers. It is also common for Type II systems<br />
to be used as a feed to a Type I system*.<br />
Type II+ – Is the grade for general laboratory<br />
applications requiring higher inorganic purity.<br />
Type III – Is the grade recommended for<br />
non-critical work which may include glassware<br />
rinsing, water baths, autoclave and disinfector<br />
feed as well as environmental chambers and<br />
plant growth rooms. These systems can also be<br />
used to feed Type I systems*<br />
Resitivity TOC(PPB) Bacteria Endotoxins<br />
(MΩ-cm)<br />
(EU/ml)<br />
Type I+ 18.2
Growth and Passage<br />
Culture and Experimentation<br />
Characterisation and Analysis<br />
Reagent and Sample Storage<br />
Biological Safety Cabinets<br />
and Clean Benches<br />
Class II, Type A2 biological<br />
safety cabinets that provide<br />
best-in-class safety,<br />
ergonomics and energy<br />
efficiency for today’s most<br />
demanding laboratory<br />
applications. Unique<br />
technologies ensure safe<br />
air filtration, avoiding<br />
sample contamination or<br />
environmental hazards.<br />
Cell culture systems<br />
Our Nunc OptiCell<br />
cell culture system<br />
simplifies cell growth,<br />
monitoring and transport,<br />
while providing optimal<br />
conditions.<br />
C02 incubators<br />
Carbon dioxide incubators<br />
providing in-vitro<br />
environments with proven<br />
contamination control<br />
solutions. Assure that<br />
valuable cultures are<br />
secured, protected and<br />
thriving, delivering optimal<br />
growth and security.<br />
Filtration Products<br />
Filtration products<br />
including bottle-top<br />
filters, cut-disk filters,<br />
filter units and syringe<br />
filters. Rapid sterile<br />
filtration of even the most<br />
difficult to filter fluids.<br />
Centrifuges<br />
From benchtops and<br />
microcentrifuges to<br />
ultracentrifuges and<br />
superspeeds to carbon<br />
fibre rotors. Achieve<br />
unmatched productivity,<br />
versatility, performance<br />
and ease-of-use with our<br />
innovative centrifuges,<br />
rotors and accessories.<br />
High Content Screening & Analysis<br />
Automated imaging instrumentation,<br />
image analysis software, High<br />
Content Informatics, reagent kits,<br />
and screening assays and cell lines.<br />
Fully integrated solutions to improve<br />
the quality and productivity of cellbased<br />
assays for researchers in drug<br />
discovery and systems biology.<br />
Chart MVE<br />
For all your long term cryo<br />
storage (vapour and liquid)<br />
and low temperature<br />
shipping needs<br />
Ultra-low Temperature Freezers<br />
Ultra-low temperature freezers<br />
that combine the highest<br />
reliability & superior performance<br />
with cost-effective operation<br />
and innovative features.<br />
Cell Culture Media,<br />
Sera & Reagents<br />
A complete line of liquid and<br />
powdered media, process liquids,<br />
supplements and reagents to<br />
support cell culture applications<br />
in academia, research and the<br />
bioprocessing industry.<br />
Serological pipettes<br />
Our Matrix CellMate II, for use<br />
with graduated and volumetric<br />
glass and plastic serological<br />
pipettes, offers simple efficient<br />
pipetting performance and<br />
maximum pipetting comfort.<br />
Cell Culture Vessels<br />
& Microplates<br />
A complete line of cellculture<br />
products and<br />
bioprocessing systems<br />
for protein-based drug<br />
development and<br />
production.<br />
Small equipment<br />
Our range of small<br />
laboratory equipment<br />
including homogenisers,<br />
colony counter, ultra<br />
sonic bath, peristaltic<br />
pumps and block heater<br />
& block supports your<br />
laboratories requirement.<br />
Microplate Readers<br />
Photometry, fluorometry,<br />
luminometry, TRF or FP,<br />
dedicated or multimode<br />
- when it comes to<br />
microplate reading, we<br />
have all the answers.<br />
Flow cytometry<br />
Partec offers a wide range of<br />
compact desktop-sized flow<br />
cytometry systems with up to<br />
5 light sources and up to 16<br />
optical parameters, covering<br />
dedicated applications from<br />
scientific and industrial routine<br />
up to high-end research.<br />
Software<br />
The flexible and intuitive<br />
interface of Nautilus<br />
graphically maps laboratory<br />
workflows to meet the needs<br />
of even the most dynamic<br />
environments<br />
Cryopreservation Systems<br />
Cryopreservation systems<br />
designed to meet the rigorous<br />
storage requirements of<br />
cryogenic samples. These<br />
cryogenic storage systems are<br />
engineered and built to ensure<br />
maximum sample protection<br />
and customer peace of mind.<br />
Temperature control<br />
We offer a number of<br />
professional temperature<br />
measuring instruments<br />
to fulfil the individual<br />
requirements of your<br />
temperature measurement.<br />
Antibiotics & Antimycotics<br />
our antibiotics and<br />
antimycotics meet rigorous<br />
quality control tests,<br />
including verification of<br />
potency, purity, and solubility<br />
using microbiological and<br />
chromatographic methods.<br />
Successfully cultivating mammalian<br />
cells requires that you maintain a<br />
safe, contaminant-free environment<br />
for your cells and provide optimal<br />
nutrition for strong, healthy cell<br />
growth. As your cell lines grow and<br />
expand, assuring batch-to-batch<br />
consistency is critical to ensure the<br />
reproducibility of your experiments,<br />
regardless of scale.<br />
Our equipment, consumables<br />
and media products help ensure<br />
productive, efficient cell growth and<br />
passage by providing:<br />
• Stable growth conditions<br />
• Outstanding sample protection<br />
• Optimal nutrition<br />
Our range includes:<br />
• Antibiotics and antimycotics<br />
• Incubators<br />
• Cell culture media, sera<br />
and reagents<br />
• Pipette aids<br />
• Pipettes<br />
• Plasticware<br />
• Shakers<br />
• Temperature control<br />
• Water baths<br />
From key brands:<br />
• <strong>Fisher</strong> BioReagents<br />
• Testo<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific HyClone<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Nalgene<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Nunc<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Heraeus<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Matrix<br />
Pipetting & Liquid Handling<br />
Handheld and automated<br />
pipetting systems are<br />
trusted products that<br />
include <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific<br />
Finnpipette and <strong>Thermo</strong><br />
Scientific Matrix. We’ve<br />
expanded our offering with<br />
additional consumables<br />
from MBP, including ART<br />
Aerosol Resistant Tips.<br />
Water Purification<br />
We have experts in water<br />
purification systems who<br />
can provide information<br />
and advice on the differring<br />
grades and volumes of<br />
purified water required in<br />
meeting the demands of<br />
your applications.<br />
Whether your goal is to explore<br />
the nature of disease, develop a<br />
novel drug, or engineer cell lines<br />
with specific characteristics,<br />
culture and experimentation often<br />
involves complex techniques and<br />
protocols encompassing large<br />
numbers of samples. Transferring<br />
minute volumes of cell samples,<br />
reagents and proteins from flasks to<br />
microplates is a labor-intensive task<br />
that demands absolute precision.<br />
Throughout this stage, care must be<br />
taken to keep cell lines healthy and<br />
contaminant-free. We help optimize<br />
your culture and experimentation<br />
process by enabling:<br />
• Precise sample handling<br />
• Stability and integrity<br />
• Maximum operator comfort<br />
Our range includes:<br />
• Cell culture plates<br />
• Cell culture flasks<br />
• Filtration<br />
• Laboratory water<br />
• Cell culture bottles<br />
• Biological safety cabinets<br />
• Chamber slides<br />
• Single channel, multichannel and<br />
digital pipettes<br />
From key brands:<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Finnpipette<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Heraeus<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Max Q<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Forma<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Nalgene<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Nunc<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific<br />
• Elga LabWater<br />
• Whatman Filtration<br />
Antibodies<br />
Whether you require<br />
antibodies for use in<br />
immunofluorescence<br />
microscopy, high<br />
content assays, ELISAs,<br />
immunoprecipitations,<br />
Western blotting or many<br />
other applications, our<br />
portfolio is now the<br />
best source for highquality<br />
antibodies and<br />
detection reagents.<br />
Balances<br />
Equipment and systems<br />
featuring weighing,<br />
measurement and<br />
automation technology<br />
for laboratory and<br />
industrial applications.<br />
Analysing the results of your cell<br />
culture experiment is the proving<br />
ground for your innovative ideas.<br />
Whether determining the results of a<br />
reporter gene assay, cloning new cell<br />
lines or staining whole populations<br />
of cells for characterisation, you<br />
need efficient, reliable analysis tools<br />
capable of generating high-quality<br />
data that validates the accuracy and<br />
reproducibility of your experiments.<br />
With the large number of results<br />
generated, you also need efficient<br />
sample tracking tools to quickly<br />
identify the samples and results<br />
you want to carry forward. We help<br />
improve the efficiency and quality of<br />
your analysis by enabling:<br />
• Streamlined harvesting<br />
• Efficient, intuitive analysis<br />
• Seamless data integration<br />
Our range includes:<br />
• HPLC<br />
• Cell counters<br />
• Antibodies<br />
• Homogenisers<br />
• Laboratory weighing<br />
• Microplate readers and washers<br />
• Centrifuges<br />
From key brands:<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Heraeus<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Pierce<br />
• Sartorius<br />
• Partec<br />
• Santa Cruz<br />
Cryoware<br />
Products designed to<br />
safely contain and organize<br />
cryogenically preserved<br />
samples. Protect valuable<br />
samples safely and<br />
economically.<br />
Mr. Frosty<br />
Provides the critical,<br />
repeatable -1°C/minute<br />
cooling rate required<br />
for successful cell<br />
cryopreservation and<br />
recovery<br />
Cell line and tissue samples<br />
are precious— in many cases,<br />
unique—representing a significant<br />
investment of time and expertise.<br />
Protecting that investment<br />
throughout the entire cell culture<br />
process requires the utmost<br />
care and precision when storing<br />
samples and reagents.<br />
We address this need with<br />
storage tracking solutions that<br />
work together to protect valuable<br />
samples and streamline sample<br />
retrieval by enabling:<br />
• Precise temperature control<br />
• Accurate sample tracking<br />
• Safe, secure storage<br />
Our range includes:<br />
• ULT freezers<br />
• Cryogenic preservation tanks<br />
• Software<br />
• Cryo tubes<br />
• Storage racks<br />
• 2D barcode scanners<br />
• Tube Picker<br />
• 2D Cryo tubes and plates<br />
• Decappers<br />
• Cryo racks<br />
• Mr Frosty<br />
From key brands:<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Revco<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific ABgene<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Forma<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Nalgene<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Nunc<br />
• <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Matrix<br />
• Chart MVE
Preventing Cell Culture Contamination with Copper CO 2 Incubators<br />
Imam El-Danasouri, DVM, Ph.D., HCLD. Director, California Reproductive Laboratories, 1700 California Street #570,<br />
San Francisco CA 94109 Daniel Schroen, Ph.D. Senior Application Scientist, <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific<br />
Application Note<br />
Introduction<br />
A CO 2<br />
incubator provides an excellent growth<br />
environment for cell cultures. However, the same<br />
warm, humid conditions can also sustain the growth<br />
of contaminating microorganisms. From easy-toclean<br />
design to external water reservoirs and heat<br />
decontamination cycles, <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Heracell®<br />
CO 2<br />
incubators are proven to prevent and eliminate<br />
contamination (1-3) .<br />
Copper in incubators<br />
Copper reduces microbes in a wide variety of equipment, including medical<br />
and scientific devices such as incubators. Years of experience show that<br />
copper wire, copper sulfate or even pennies added to water reservoirs of CO 2<br />
incubators significantly inhibit microbial growth. Even better, solid copper<br />
surfaces clearly reduce the proliferation of contaminants (4) . <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific<br />
Heraeus CO 2<br />
incubators are available with interiors made from solid copper.<br />
Because the copper ions do not become airborne, they pose no threat to<br />
precious cells incubated in culture flasks on copper shelves.<br />
Antimicrobial action of copper<br />
Records from early civilizations demonstrate that copper<br />
can inhibit the growth of many different microorganisms.<br />
Reviews of modern literature (4) indicate that copper slows<br />
or stops growth of many organisms, including bacteria,<br />
fungi, algae and yeast. Copper ions bond to contaminants<br />
and then disrupt key proteins and processes that are<br />
critical to microbial life. For instance, the suppression<br />
of bacterial colonization by solid copper was recently<br />
demonstrated in Porton Down, England by the Centre<br />
for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR) (5) . In<br />
that study, CAMR showed that copper piping reduces<br />
the growth of Legionella pneumophila, causitive agent<br />
of Legionaire’s Disease. This is the same testing facility<br />
that certifies many <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific centrifuge rotors<br />
for biocontainment. CAMR also clearly documented that<br />
the <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Heracell ContraCon heat cycle<br />
effectively kills fungus and bacteria (2) .<br />
There are many examples of copper acting as a<br />
microcide in everyday products, for example:<br />
• Incorporated into cement or paint, it prevents bacterial<br />
and fungal growth (for example, in humid basements)<br />
• It reduces bacteria and algae in cooling systems & towers<br />
• Copper plumbing pipes reduce the threat from the<br />
bacteria Legionella pneumophila<br />
• Brass (copper/zinc alloy) used in machining coolant<br />
filters removes bacteria and algae<br />
• Copper-sulfate and -chelate aquacides control aquatic<br />
pests in ponds and municipal water supplies<br />
• Copper-based pesticides control nematodes and fungi<br />
Dr. Imam El-Danasouri, a longtime<br />
user of copper incubators<br />
was recently interviewed:<br />
“In addition to your position<br />
at California Reproductive<br />
Laboratories, what other<br />
positions have you held?”<br />
Dr. Danasouri “Professor of OB/<br />
GYN, Chieti University, Italy,<br />
Scientific Director of the European<br />
Institute of Reproductive<br />
Endocrinology and Infertility,<br />
Chieti, Italy, and Scientific Director<br />
at the Institute of Reproductive<br />
Endocrinology, Ulm, Germany.”<br />
“Please describe your experience<br />
with CO 2<br />
incubators”<br />
Dr. Danasouri “I have used CO 2<br />
incubators for research as well as<br />
for the culture of cells from different<br />
species for more than 25 years.”<br />
“What is your experience of using<br />
Heracell Copper incubators?”<br />
Dr. Danasouri “I first used copper<br />
CO 2<br />
incubators in 1989 at Stanford<br />
University Medical School. Since<br />
then, I have been using only copper<br />
incubators in all the laboratories I<br />
supervise in the USA, Germany and<br />
Italy. Recently, I ordered two new<br />
copper incubators for the Egypt Air<br />
Hospital in Cairo, Egypt.”<br />
“Why did you choose copper<br />
incubators?”Dr. Danasouri<br />
“Infection within the incubator is<br />
detrimental to the cells. Since copper<br />
inhibits bacteria or fungus growth on<br />
copper surfaces, copper incubators<br />
reduce the possibility for infection in<br />
the humidification water or on<br />
the incubator walls. Studies on the<br />
contamination of cell culture media<br />
with heavy metals have shown<br />
that there are no traces of copper in<br />
media from the copper incubator.”<br />
“What types of cells have you<br />
used with copper incubators?”<br />
Dr. Danasouri “I have used copper<br />
incubators for human and mouse<br />
cultures. I have also cultured many<br />
other cell types in the copper<br />
incubators, such as endometrial,<br />
epithelial and stromal cells, and tubal<br />
epithelial cells from monkeys, cows<br />
and humans. Many other cell lines<br />
have been cultured successfully in<br />
the incubators.”<br />
References – (1)Incubators with Thermal Disinfection Cycles (2000). Genetic Engineering News. 20:37. (2)Eliminate Incubator Contamination with <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Heracell. Application Note AN-<br />
LECO2ELIMCON-1 107 Decontamination Cycles in Heraeus BBD 6220 and Heracell Incubators Completely Eliminate Mycoplasma. Application Note ANLECO2DECONCYC-1 107 (4)Copper Development<br />
Association, 260 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, 212-251-7200 Ph, 212-251-7234 Fax, Staff@cda.copper.org, www.copper.org (5)The Influence of Plumbing Material, Water Chemistry and<br />
Temperature on Biofouling of Plumbing Circuits with Particular Reference to the Colonization of Legionella Pneumophila (1993). ICA Project 437B<br />
19
Feature article<br />
Stem Cell Promise–<br />
Research Brings Autograft Revolution Closer<br />
Stem cells have shown the<br />
promise to revolutionise the<br />
treatment of many diseases,<br />
as noted by George Wolff in his book ‘The Biotech<br />
Investor’s Bible’: “... The damaged brains of Alzheimer’s<br />
disease patients may be restored. Severed spinal cords<br />
may be rejoined. Damaged organs may be rebuilt. Stem<br />
cells provide hope that this dream will become a reality.”<br />
Professor Anthony Hollander, the ARC Professor of<br />
Rheumatology & Tissue Engineering in the Department<br />
of Cellular & Molecular Medicine at the University of<br />
Bristol, UK, is in the vanguard of this groundbreaking<br />
research area. His group has perfected stem cell culture<br />
protocols that provide the consistent starting material<br />
essential for all areas of their bioengineering research.<br />
Furthermore, their knowledge and facilities were<br />
instrumental in the first ever bioengineered tracheal graft.<br />
Stem cells show therapeutic potential<br />
For Professor Hollander and his colleagues, stem cells<br />
provide the basis for their tissue engineering research.<br />
Much has been written and discussed on embryonic<br />
stem cells, but for Professor Hollander’s group, the<br />
main focus has been on adult (somatic) stem cells.<br />
Prof Hollander commented, “Embryonic stem cells do<br />
have the potential to become every type of cell in the<br />
body, but they are very difficult to control fully – they<br />
form tumours relatively easily. Somatic stem cells do not<br />
possess the same breadth of differentiation capabilities<br />
as embryonic stem cells, but are more predictable and<br />
controllable.” Importantly, somatic stem cells are found<br />
in a number of locations, such as the bone marrow,<br />
and can therefore be retrieved directly from patients.<br />
This means that it is possible for grafts to be grown from<br />
these cells and then reimplanted in the same patient – so<br />
called autologous grafts. This removes the need for<br />
immunosuppressive therapies to prevent rejection,<br />
thereby greatly increasing the chance of grafting success.<br />
Research provides foundation for tissue replacement<br />
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)<br />
harvested from the heads of femur bones are the major<br />
source of stem cells in Professor Hollander’s lab. Dr Sally<br />
Dickinson, a research associate in the group explained,<br />
“Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are donated<br />
by patients undergoing hip replacement operations<br />
and are the perfect starting point for our research, as<br />
they are multipotent and can therefore form the major<br />
cell types involved in rheumatology applications.” The<br />
donated cells are suspended in a specialised stem cell<br />
culture medium formulated to promote the growth<br />
and differentiation of BMSCs. To remove any bone<br />
remnants, the cells are washed several times in the<br />
medium and fat is then removed by gently centrifuging<br />
the cells at 1500 RPM for 5 min and recovering the<br />
cell pellet. Once the cells are clean and free from bone<br />
or fat, they are seeded in 175 cm2 culture flasks at a<br />
density of 5-10 million cells. The cells are then placed in<br />
a CO2 incubator (5% CO2, 37 ºC, 95% Humidity), with<br />
media changes after four days and then every other day<br />
until adherent cells have reached 90% confluence.<br />
Differentiation<br />
Once successfully expanded, the BMSCs are further<br />
incubated in specially developed media to enable<br />
differentiation into either chondrogenic monolayers,<br />
osteogenic or adipogenic cultures. Alternatively,<br />
BMSCs can be added to polyglycolic acid (PGA)<br />
scaffolds and incubated for five weeks with regular<br />
media changes to create three-dimensional engineered<br />
cartilage. The majority of research work conducted<br />
in Prof Hollander’s lab focuses on chondrogenic<br />
cultures, either monolayer or 3D, as these are the most<br />
important cell type for osteoarthritis applications.<br />
Analysis<br />
Several analytical techniques are used to assess BMSC<br />
cultures and their differentiation, including histological<br />
staining and real-time PCR. However, the bulk of the<br />
analyses on the engineered cartilage are carried out using<br />
enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISAs), since<br />
they provide quantitative biochemical measurements<br />
for key molecules such as collagen types I and II. All<br />
ELISAs in Professor Hollander’s lab are analysed on<br />
a photometer.A range of laboratory instruments are<br />
used in the research, many of which are from the<br />
<strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Stem Cell Excellence portfolio.*<br />
*Instruments used from this range include the <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Sorvall Legend RT-Plus centrifuge, the <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Cytoperm 2 CO 2<br />
Incubator, and the <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific<br />
Multiskan microplate reader. At every manipulation stage, the cells were handled within a <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Herasafe KS12 Type 2 Class 2 biological safety cabinet.<br />
Cell culture research also requires a large amount of manual pipetting which – if not done properly – can lead to inconsistencies and possibly repetitive strain injuries for<br />
the user. In Prof Hollander’s lab, the group used <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Finnpipettes. Essential reagents, which contribute to the ongoing success of the lab, were stored in a<br />
<strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific Revco freezer, which provides ultra low temperature storage at -86ºC.<br />
20
Clinical collaborations lead to patient therapies<br />
As one of the foremost scientists in the rheumatology<br />
field and the development of chondrogenic cultures from<br />
BMSCs, Professor Hollander works closely with clinical<br />
teams to develop patient-specific cartilage autografts.<br />
These are generated by extracting cartilage cells (rather<br />
than BMSCs) from the patient and culturing them to<br />
provide autologous chondrocytes, which are then seeded<br />
into a three- dimensional biodegradable material (derived<br />
from the total esterification of hyaluronan with benzyl<br />
alcohol and constructed into a non-woven configuration).<br />
These engineered grafts are then placed at the site of<br />
the cartilage injury, often without the need to glue or<br />
suture them in place. Furthermore, the procedure does<br />
not necessitate open surgery since a miniarthrotomy<br />
is usually sufficient. Once in place, the graft quickly<br />
integrates with the patient’s existing tissues, providing<br />
good collagen composition and integration with the<br />
underlying bone. The autograft technique provides<br />
several distinct advantages, namely less stressful surgical<br />
procedures and perhaps more importantly, the lack of<br />
any immune response. This is a major advance over<br />
allografts, which require the use of powerful immunesuppressing<br />
drugs for extended periods post-transplant.<br />
The first ever bio-engineered tracheal graft<br />
Last summer, Professor Hollander received a request<br />
for help from a friend and colleague, Professor Martin<br />
Birchall, a surgical professor at the University of Bristol.<br />
A patient of Dr Birchall’s had suffered serious damage to<br />
her trachea as a result of contracting tuberculosis (TB).<br />
The patient, was a young mother whose only chance<br />
of survival at the time was to have one lung removed,<br />
which would have seriously affected her quality of life<br />
and her ability to look after her children. After much<br />
discussion, Professor Hollander and his team very<br />
quickly set to work adapting their existing osteoarthritis<br />
based protocols to enable Professor Birchall to grow<br />
a large population of chondrocytes derived from the<br />
patient’s BMSCs. A section of human trachea was<br />
donated for use as a scaffold on which the new tissue<br />
could be grown. The trachea was stripped of the donor’s<br />
cells, leaving a trunk of non- immunogenic connective<br />
tissue onto which the chondrocytes were seeded. This<br />
seeding process used a novel bioreactor developed<br />
at the Politechnico di Milano, Italy, which provided the<br />
right environment for the cells to form the cartilaginous<br />
part of the trachea within four days of seeding. The graft<br />
was then lined with epithelial cells and transplanted<br />
into the patient, who responded very quickly to the<br />
new airway section, without any sign of rejection (no<br />
antibodies to the graft were found). Subsequent biopsies<br />
have shown that the new section is fully integrated<br />
with the existing airway and is fully supplied with blood<br />
vessels. She is now able to live life as if she had not<br />
been struck down with TB, a result that would never<br />
have been possible if her lung had been removed.<br />
Discussion<br />
Stem cell based-therapies have promised huge changes<br />
in the treatments of many diseases and disorders, but<br />
much research is still required to ensure safety and<br />
consistency before they can be applied more extensively.<br />
Prof Hollander and his colleagues at the Department<br />
of Cellular & Molecular Medicine at the University<br />
of Bristol have been investigating the fundamental<br />
principles governing the differentiation of bone marrow<br />
stem cells into chondrocytes – the source of cartilage.<br />
Through this research they aim to further improve<br />
the processes used to generate chondrocyte-based<br />
autografts, which have already started to prove their<br />
value in the treatment of cartilage damage. Throughout<br />
their pioneering research, Professor Hollander’s team<br />
has come to rely on the dependability and functionality<br />
of a broad array of standard and advanced laboratory<br />
equipment specifically designed to provide the highest<br />
quality and reliability in the cell biology laboratory. As<br />
a result of their dedicated work, Professor Hollander’s<br />
team was able to take part in the amazing feat of the<br />
first ever bio-engineered tracheal graft. Their work<br />
has enabled this patient to regain an amazing quality<br />
of life following a life-threatening condition while<br />
increasing the drive among researchers and clinicians<br />
to more expansive use of stem cell based therapies.<br />
Feature article<br />
Professor Anthony<br />
Hollander, ARC<br />
Professor of<br />
Rheumatology & Tissue<br />
Engineering in the<br />
Department of Cellular<br />
& Molecular Medicine<br />
at the University of<br />
Bristol, UK. (Image<br />
courtesy of Dr Sally<br />
Dickinson, University<br />
of Bristol).<br />
Figure 1. Adherent<br />
human adult bone<br />
marrow stem cells in<br />
culture. (Image courtesy<br />
of Dr Sally Dickinson,<br />
University of Bristol)<br />
Figure 2. Tissue<br />
engineered cartilage<br />
produced from<br />
bone marrow stem<br />
cells (Macroscopic<br />
Appearance). (Images<br />
courtesy of Dr Sally<br />
Dickinson, University<br />
of Bristol).<br />
21
Article<br />
Choosing the Right Centrifuge for Your Application<br />
Ms. Goodman – Sample Preparation and Separations Applications Product Manager, <strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific Inc<br />
Figure 1–Superspeed centrifuges are an excellent choice for multiuser, multiprotocol environments, offering high capacity, high g-forces, and a broad range of rotors and accessories.<br />
With so many recent advances in both science and<br />
technology, it is wise to educate yourself about the wide<br />
range of centrifuge options now available. Following are<br />
some key questions that can be used to determine the<br />
type of centrifuge that will best meet your needs:<br />
1. What applications and protocols will the centrifuge<br />
be used to support?<br />
2. What are the maximum and minimum g-force<br />
(relative centrifugal force, RCF) and volume<br />
requirements?<br />
3. How many tubes or samples must be processed in a<br />
run, shift, or day?<br />
4. What types of sample formats will the centrifuge<br />
need to support (i.e., microplates, blood collection<br />
tubes, disposable conical tubes)?<br />
5. What type of rotors will be needed to support your<br />
applications (i.e., fixed angle, swinging bucket)?<br />
6. How many people will be using the centrifuge?<br />
7. Is versatility important? That is, do you anticipate<br />
the need for a broad range of protocols and<br />
multiple users, or will you be performing the same<br />
standardized protocol day after day?<br />
8. Do you have any space restrictions, such as benchtop<br />
or floor space only?<br />
9. Do you have special needs such as process<br />
traceability, user lock-out, or biocontainment?<br />
10. What is your budget?<br />
Once you have answered these questions, you should<br />
have a better picture of your centrifuge requirements. It<br />
is also helpful to review the basic types of centrifuges to<br />
make sure you know which category best fits your needs.<br />
Floor model or benchtop?<br />
Centrifuges are generally classified<br />
as either floor-standing or benchtop<br />
models. The style you choose is<br />
typically determined by performance<br />
requirements, available space, and<br />
budget.Floor-model centrifuges<br />
free up bench space and are often<br />
chosen for either high-speed or<br />
high-capacity sample processing.<br />
Within the floor-model category<br />
there are superspeed centrifuges,<br />
ultracentrifuges, and low-speed<br />
centrifuges.Benchtop centrifuges<br />
offer versatility and convenience, and<br />
can be equipped to accommodate a<br />
broad range of needs, making them<br />
a cost-effective solution for many<br />
laboratories. Benchtop platforms<br />
include general-purpose centrifuges,<br />
micro- centrifuges, small clinical<br />
centrifuges, cell washers, and<br />
high-speed models.<br />
Choosing the right floormodel<br />
centrifuge<br />
Superspeed centrifuges – If you<br />
are looking for high capacity, high<br />
g-force and versatility, a super- speed<br />
centrifuge (Figure 1) is probably<br />
the best choice. Many superspeed<br />
models offer a choice of up to 40<br />
rotors, making them an excellent<br />
solution for core laboratories<br />
performing general preparative<br />
applications such as whole cell<br />
separations, protein precipitation,<br />
tissue culture, subcellular isolation<br />
(i.e., Golgi bodies, ribosomes),<br />
plasmid preps, and DNA/RNA<br />
separations. Superspeed centrifuges<br />
are also the best option for multiuser,<br />
multiprotocol environments. Their<br />
versatility enables researchers<br />
to step into new, cutting-edge<br />
technologies without purchasing a<br />
dedicated centrifuge for one specific<br />
application.<br />
Ultracentrifuges – If your<br />
application calls for g-forces of up<br />
to 1,000,000 × g, you will need an<br />
ultracentrifuge. These extremely<br />
powerful centrifuges support sample<br />
volumes up to 250mL. Within the<br />
ultracentrifuge line there are two<br />
platforms: full-size floor models,<br />
which support g-forces of up to<br />
802,000 × g and volumes up to<br />
250mL; and micro-ultracentrifuges,<br />
which support g-forces of above<br />
1,000,000 × g and microvolume<br />
samples up to 13.5mL.<br />
Common ultracentrifuge applications<br />
include the separation of virus<br />
particles; DNA, protein, or RNA<br />
fractionation; as well as lipoprotein<br />
flotation. Density and size gradient<br />
22
Article<br />
separations are also regularly<br />
performed in ultracentrifuges and,<br />
more recently, a number of new<br />
nanotechnology applications have<br />
appeared.<br />
Low-speed centrifuges – These<br />
large-capacity centrifuges have<br />
fairly specific applications due to<br />
the maximum RCF of approximately<br />
7000 × g. The most common lowspeed<br />
application is the separation of<br />
whole cells, for example, separating<br />
red blood cells and platelets from<br />
whole blood. The second most<br />
common application is the whole<br />
cell harvest step in the processing<br />
of large volumes of cultures from<br />
bioreactors in the bioprocessing and<br />
pharmaceutical industries. Lowspeed<br />
centrifuges offer a basic set of<br />
rotors that support volumes ranging<br />
from 1.5mL (with adapters) up to<br />
2000mL.<br />
Choosing the right benchtop<br />
centrifuge<br />
Benchtop centrifuges are<br />
available in a wide variety of<br />
platforms designed for different<br />
application requirements, including<br />
general-purpose benchtops,<br />
microcentrifuges, small clinical<br />
centrifuges, cell washers, and<br />
high-speed benchtop centrifuges.<br />
General-purpose benchtop<br />
centrifuges – These workhorse<br />
units (Figure 2) are the most<br />
common type of centrifuge found<br />
in the laboratory. Their versatility<br />
makes them extremely practical:<br />
They offer a wide range of rotor<br />
types, volumes, and speeds within<br />
a single unit to meet the demands of<br />
many common protocols. Generalpurpose<br />
centrifuges are typically<br />
used for tissue culture, DNA/RNA<br />
research, cell harvesting, subcellular<br />
separations, protein work, and many<br />
other applications. Most generalpurpose<br />
units can be equipped with<br />
a broad range of swinging-bucket<br />
and fixed-angle rotors, making<br />
them an excellent fit in a multiuser<br />
environment where floor space is an<br />
issue and RCFs of up to 24,000 × g<br />
are sufficient.<br />
Microcentrifuges – Like the<br />
general-purpose benchtop models,<br />
microcentrifuges (Figure 3) are a<br />
necessity in every laboratory. These<br />
compact units provide RCFs of up<br />
to 21,000 × g, which is sufficient<br />
for the most common microvolume<br />
applications such as plasmid, DNA/<br />
RNA work, and mini-prep kits.<br />
Designed to spin up to 2mL volumes,<br />
microcentrifuges are typically<br />
equipped with rotors that accept<br />
commonly used 0.2-mL PCR tubes<br />
and 1 .5-mL/2.0-mL disposable<br />
micro- centrifuge tubes and filters.<br />
Clinical benchtop centrifuges –<br />
These compact models are designed<br />
for use in hospitals and clinics that<br />
require a low-throughput unit to<br />
spin blood collection tubes and<br />
urine samples at very low speeds<br />
for diagnostic examination. Most<br />
of these centrifuges spin at RCFs<br />
at or below 3000 × g. The volume<br />
supported by a typical clinical<br />
benchtop unit ranges from 3-mL up<br />
to 15-mL tubes, with throughput<br />
ranging from 4 to 28 tubes per run,<br />
depending on the tube size and unit<br />
selected.<br />
Cell washers – These specialpurpose<br />
centrifuges support very<br />
specific applications in the clinical<br />
and medical industry: washing away<br />
cellular debris, extraneous proteins,<br />
and other constituents of donor<br />
blood from red blood cells.<br />
The washed red blood cells are<br />
used for tests such as crossmatching<br />
prior to blood transfusion.<br />
Cell washers spin at RCFs at or<br />
below 1500 × g and support 3-mL<br />
and 5-mL culture tubes.<br />
High-speed benchtop centrifuges<br />
These powerful and compact units<br />
offer g-forces close to that of a floormodel<br />
superspeed centrifuge, but<br />
with a limited set of rotors. The most<br />
common rotors and applications for this type of centrifuge<br />
include a low-speed, high-volume swing-out rotor for a<br />
whole cell harvest step; a high-speed, midvolume (i.e.,<br />
50–15 mL) fixed- angle rotor for a subcellular pelleting<br />
step; or a high-speed, low-volume (1.5-mL/2.0-mL) fixedangle<br />
rotor for certain DNA/RNA applications. The average<br />
maximum RCF for a high-speed benchtop is 50,000 × g,<br />
with a volume range from 1.5 mL to 200 mL over a range of<br />
swinging-bucket and fixed-angle rotors.<br />
Understanding the different types of centrifuge platforms<br />
and the applications they support is a good first step in<br />
the selection process. Once you have identified your<br />
application needs and the appropriate centrifuge model,<br />
your centrifuge supplier should be able to assist you<br />
in configuring the best system (centrifuge, rotor, and<br />
consumables) to meet your specific requirements.<br />
For further information please contact: Dhru Patel (AU)<br />
dhru.patel@thermofisher.com or Ph: +613 9757 4522<br />
Kris Baker (NZ) kris.baker@thermofisher.com<br />
Ph: +64 9 980 6763<br />
Figure 2 –General-purpose benchtop centrifuges offer versatility and convenience,<br />
and can be equipped many ways to support tissue culture, DNA/RNA research, cell<br />
harvesting, subcellular separations, and many other applications.<br />
Figure 3 –Microcentrifuges are a necessity in every laboratory for everyday microvolume<br />
applications such as plasmid, DNA and RNA work, and miniprep kits.<br />
23
Latest news<br />
The next generation in Automated liquid handling<br />
The new <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific<br />
Versette automated<br />
liquid handler<br />
Compatible with 19 interchangeable,<br />
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Versette provides exceptional<br />
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To further optimize performance,<br />
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With a compact footprint, further facilitated by the unique<br />
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Simple and complex pipetting procedures can be<br />
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LCD user interface or the <strong>Thermo</strong> Scientific ControlMate<br />
software. This advanced instrument control, combined<br />
with precision and versatility, makes the <strong>Thermo</strong><br />
Scientific Versette automated liquid handling platform<br />
ideal whether transitioning from handheld pipetting or<br />
establishing an integrated liquid handling system.<br />
For more information visit<br />
www.thermoscientific.com/versette or call<br />
Mika Mitropoulos (AU) on 9757 4474<br />
Mika.Mitropoulos@thermofisher.com<br />
Kris Baker (NZ) +64 9 980 6763<br />
kris.baker@thermofisher.com<br />
The Versette platform is packed<br />
full of features, it offers two stage<br />
capacity options. These easy to<br />
swap 2 and 6 position stages provide<br />
flexibility for both stand-alone and<br />
robot-friendly use.<br />
24
When is a μL not a μL?<br />
Have you ever picked up your pipette and thought… Is this accurate?<br />
Latest news News<br />
Pipettes are used to measure<br />
and transfer liquids; a simple<br />
enough processes until you<br />
really think about it.<br />
What if it isn’t reliably aspirating<br />
the correct amount of liquid?<br />
What will this do to your results?<br />
Can you rely on the results you<br />
are getting if your pipette is not<br />
calibrated? The answer is…no.<br />
The pipette is one of the most commonly used instruments in labs everywhere. Many pipettes are<br />
shared; they are used with varying liquids and are treated differently by different users. Pipettes<br />
work by creating an air gap to aspirate and then dispense liquid. The air gap is proportional to the<br />
amount of liquid that is being dispensed and it can be affected by many different factors.<br />
Usage over time, damage and general wear can have a major impact on dispensing accuracy and<br />
precision. If your pipette has not been checked and calibrated, the quality of the results obtained<br />
is questionable. It may not seem like a major factor at the time, but repeated incorrect dispensing<br />
can have a cumulative impact on results and can lead to major errors or even test failures.<br />
Next time you use a pipette, think about the quality of the results you want to achieve and whether<br />
the pipette in your hand is going to deliver.<br />
Imagine the peace of mind that comes from knowing that all your valuable<br />
samples are being dispensed reliably every time you pick up your pipette. At<br />
<strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific we know that selecting the right pipette calibration<br />
service is important for the success and efficiency of your laboratory. We also<br />
know that each lab can vary considerably and that’s why we have tailored our<br />
pipette service centre to meet your diverse needs.<br />
We let you choose the services you want<br />
Choose between 3 different modules for your pipettes:<br />
Benefits of our NATA accredited<br />
pipette calibration centre are:<br />
• Nata certified laboratory +<br />
equipment<br />
• Accredited for all pipette<br />
calibrations from volumes<br />
0.2µL to 60mL<br />
• 5 and 6 place balances as per<br />
AS2162.2-1998<br />
• Speedy turnaround times<br />
• Loan pipettes (contract<br />
customers)<br />
• We are the manufacturer of the<br />
Finnpipettes, therefore easier<br />
access to replacement pipettes/<br />
warranty claims plus original and<br />
cost effective spare parts<br />
• Relationships with all the other<br />
pipette manufacturers with<br />
access to their spare parts and<br />
warranties<br />
For further information email :<br />
ServiceAU@thermofisher.com<br />
1. Maintenance & Calibration<br />
• Internal & external inspection, cleaning<br />
and lubrication<br />
• Replacement of seal/o-ring<br />
if necessary<br />
• NATA calibration certificate<br />
• Calibration sticker affixed to pipette<br />
to provide a suggested date for next<br />
calibration/service<br />
2. Training & Education<br />
• Over our many years of experience, we<br />
have developed first rate user training<br />
methods to ensure your staff correctly<br />
use and maintain their pipettes<br />
• Our training workshops include correct<br />
pipetting techniques, maintenance,<br />
servicing and calibration of pipettes<br />
• Workshops also cover AS/ISO standards,<br />
equipment recommendations and<br />
general requirements for setting up<br />
in-house calibration services<br />
• Onsite or depot training options<br />
are available<br />
WARRANT Y<br />
EXTENSION<br />
CONTAINED<br />
SERVICE COSTS<br />
MAINTENANCE &<br />
CALIBRATION<br />
INSTALLATION<br />
INSTALLATION<br />
REPAIR &<br />
INSPEC TION<br />
EMERGENCY<br />
RESPONSE<br />
TRAINING<br />
3. Repair & Inspection<br />
• Internal & external inspection, cleaning and lubrication<br />
• Replacement of seal/o-ring if necessary<br />
• Replacement of worn/broken parts<br />
• Free of charge repair evaluation – economical or<br />
uneconomical to repair?<br />
• NATA calibration certificate<br />
• Calibration sticker affixed to pipette to provide a<br />
suggested date for next calibration/service<br />
25
Latest news<br />
Chart MVE for Ultra Cold Storage<br />
<strong>Thermo</strong> <strong>Fisher</strong> Scientific is proud to announce it is now the distributor of choice<br />
for Chart MVE vacuum insulated products and liquid nitrogen freezers.<br />
Excellence & Innovation<br />
Chart-MVE is the world’s leading manufacturer of<br />
vacuum insulated products and cryogenic systems.<br />
More than forty years ago, we set the standard for<br />
storage of biological materials at low temperatures.<br />
Today, we continue to exceed these standards.<br />
Industries from around the world look to Chart-MVE<br />
for excellence and innovation. Our solutions empower<br />
industries to better utilize cryogenic technology. In<br />
this manner, Chart-MVE continues to make a vital<br />
contribution in today’s biomedical industry.<br />
Chart-MVE has the solution for all of your cryogenic<br />
storage needs. We offer the broadest range of storage<br />
capacities for your biological products, with the most<br />
advanced vacuum technology available today.<br />
Chart-MVE is the market leader in the manufacturing<br />
of Bulk Storage, Liquid Cylinder and Vacuum Insulated<br />
Pipe products. Chart-MVE applied this knowledge<br />
to the development and creation of “Turn Key” liquid<br />
nitrogen supply systems that can provide your freezer<br />
with the most economical use of liquid nitrogen and<br />
the best return on your storage investment.<br />
Every Chart-MVE freezer is designed for optimum<br />
vacuum performance for the duration of its use.<br />
Chart-MVE freezers are engineered to hold and<br />
maintain specific temperatures, whether samples<br />
are in liquid or vapour.<br />
Chart-MVE offers the widest range of storage capacities<br />
and storage options (from -125°C to -196°C) to suit your<br />
biological product needs. By choosing Chart-MVE, you<br />
are installing a secure and viable environment, free of<br />
the noise and heat created by mechanical refrigeration<br />
systems.<br />
Chart-MVE products meet worldwide standards of<br />
excellence such as CE, MDD, UL, IATA, TGA, and ISO<br />
9001. Factory tested to ensure reliability in the field,<br />
Chart-MVE vessels are backed by one of the strongest<br />
and longest warranties in the industry.<br />
Product Warranties<br />
• Standard two (2) year warranty on all equipment.<br />
• Three (3) year vacuum warranty on CryoSystem<br />
Series, Doble Series and Vapor Shippers.<br />
• Five (5) year vacuum warranty on Stainless Steel<br />
Freezers, XC/SC Aluminum Units, and LAB units.<br />
• Static evaporation rate and static holding times<br />
are nominal. Actual rate and holding time will be<br />
affected by the nature of container use, atmospheric<br />
conditions, and manufacturing tolerances.<br />
For further information please contact: David Felici (AU)<br />
david.felici@thermofisher.com or Ph: +613 9757 4396<br />
Kris Baker (NZ) kris.baker@thermofisher.com or<br />
Ph: +64 9 980 6763<br />
26
Culture serum Q & A<br />
Latest news<br />
How should I condition my culture<br />
to new sera & media?<br />
For best results, the process of adapting cells to a novel<br />
culturing milieu should be sequential. Direct migration to<br />
a new serum or media can be detrimental to cell viability<br />
and should be avoided. The most common procedure is<br />
to dilute the culture in a low percentage of new media at<br />
the time of passage, increasing gradually in proportion<br />
upon each subculture (split).<br />
What are the benefits of using<br />
animal-free media?<br />
Animal-free media contain no<br />
animal-derived components and<br />
have defined components which<br />
eliminate any inconsistencies<br />
associated with serum batch<br />
variations. Hence, it is not necessary<br />
to conduct time consuming<br />
lot-testing of serum supplements<br />
in order to acquire reliable and<br />
reproducable results. Media free of<br />
animal components are commonly<br />
used in the production of human<br />
and animal biopharmaceuticals,<br />
diagnostic reagents and<br />
bioagricultural products. It is also<br />
beneficial for cell culture applications<br />
aimed at high-throughput production<br />
of recombinant proteins, monoclonal<br />
antibodies and viral vectors, as<br />
reduced protein content improves<br />
both purification yield and efficiency.<br />
Do I need heat inactivated sera<br />
for general cell cultures?<br />
The heat inactivation procedure<br />
involves warming thawed FBS to<br />
between 45°C to 62°C for 15 to 60<br />
minutes, and was once regularly<br />
performed to destroy components<br />
of the complement cascade and<br />
neutralise mycoplasma in the sera.<br />
However, recent findings suggest<br />
that this practice is often not<br />
essential for many cell culture<br />
applications and may instead<br />
negatively affect growth rates as<br />
vital temperature-sensitive nutrients<br />
are also destroyed in the heating<br />
process. Vigorous sterile filtration<br />
of HyClone FBS through three<br />
consecutive 0.1µm pore-size rated<br />
filters ensures only minuscule level<br />
of complement and mycoplasma<br />
persists in the serum.<br />
To have you questions answered email us at: Bio-Innovation@thermofisher.com<br />
News, Events & Exhibitions<br />
Catch us at the following...<br />
November 8-10<br />
November 14-18<br />
November 19<br />
November 23-24<br />
December 2-3<br />
December 3<br />
December 5-9<br />
February 3-15<br />
ENCT Workshop/Conference 2010 (gold<br />
sponsor) Australian Water Quality Centre<br />
Adelaide, South Australia<br />
AH & MR Congress, Melbourne Convention<br />
Centre, stands 44 and 53<br />
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s<br />
12th International Symposium<br />
Laboratory Managers Conference, Brisbane<br />
Conference and exhibition centre, stand 14<br />
Griffth University Gold Coast Health and<br />
Medical Research Conference, Radisson<br />
Resort, Gold Coast<br />
The 8th Australian Biospecimen Network<br />
Annual Meeting, Brisbane<br />
Australian Society for Immunology 40th<br />
Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth Convention<br />
Exhibition Centre WA, stand number: 11<br />
The 16th Annual Lorne Proteomics<br />
Symposium, 36th Lorne Conference on<br />
Protein Structure and Function, 23rd Lorne<br />
Cancer Conference, 32nd Annual Lorne<br />
Genome Conference, Lorne, Victoria, Stand<br />
No. 39 & 40<br />
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Bio<br />
27
As the world leader in serving science we are uniquely<br />
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application & service expertise with our extensive range of<br />
Scientific, Healthcare, Environmental & Industrial Process<br />
products to provide tailored solutions for each & every customer.<br />
Photo of cardiomyocytes co-cultured with fibroblasts on HyStem-C : The photo was provided courtesy of Adam Engler,<br />
Stem Cell Biology and Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego<br />
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