The importance of having an autoclave? - (Jul/06/2015 )
Ok, so I was looking at buying a used desktop autoclave for about 1100 USD a couple of weeks back. It had one programable function, and with some help from helpful forumites here on BioForum - I was able to conclude that I should be able to use it for liquids.
however... my car just cost me that exact amount last week, so my means of investing in an autoclave just plummeted.
So - to my question: Just how important is it to have an autoclave if I want to work with bacterial transformation and DNA analysis? This is purely a hobby. Will the lack of an autoclave make it completely impossible for me to do any experiments? I've read through a few protocols, and every single one of them mentions at some point "..autoclave at XX degrees celcius for XX amount of time...".
Recently I found out I need to get a refrigerated micro centrifuge as well. I've discovered I should be able to modify the one I have though with a peltier based cooling system. But an autoclave... I dont see myselfing making a DIY version of that just yet.
Sincerely, N00b.
An autoclave is very convenient, but you could substitute a pressure cooker. Also, look into some old-school processes such as Tyndallization.
I'm of the opinion that you don't really need a chilled centrifuge. Good, yes, but you can do experiments fine without one. You can chill centrifuge rotors in the freezer, for example, but for most applications, room temperature works fine. You may lose some transformation efficiency with competent cells, but so be it.
a simple pressure cooker will do.
for the centrifuge: well I would prefer one that you can chill. However, maybe you can use it when it stands in the fridge?
You could try it at room temperature for the compentent cells and see if they still work or not.. maybe this is something interesting too to investigate.
Keep in mind that your hobby is really expensive. Restriction enzymes for example are not really cheap.
I also wonder: do they even sell them at people not affiliated with a lab? I guess you can find some online, but if you can trust them? no idea.
you can also sterile filter solutions and aliquot them into presterilized vessels.
pito on Mon Jul 6 14:49:44 2015 said:
a simple pressure cooker will do.
for the centrifuge: well I would prefer one that you can chill. However, maybe you can use it when it stands in the fridge?
You could try it at room temperature for the compentent cells and see if they still work or not.. maybe this is something interesting too to investigate.
Keep in mind that your hobby is really expensive. Restriction enzymes for example are not really cheap.
I also wonder: do they even sell them at people not affiliated with a lab? I guess you can find some online, but if you can trust them? no idea.
I am currently looking into pressure cookers then. :) Something fancy looking so it doesnt cramp the high-tech style of my lab. :P
As for attempting centrifuging at room temp to test out the cells - sure, I can do that. However, I've allready ordered the parts for creating the cooling system. ;) It is going to be a kickass project. I might make a video, or PDF walkthrough with images of the process for other powerty stricken asipring geneticists to follow. :D
As far as restriction enzymes are concerned - I've got a "business" account with Bio-Rad. As long as there are no special restrictions on enzymes - it should be no problem. ;)
Once again - thanks everyone for the feedback. You guys just made my day with the pressure-cooker info. I can spend my money on getting some other gear instead then. I still need a blue LED transilluminator for my gels... Those arent cheap either.. ;)
Dr. N00b on Tue Jul 7 22:13:15 2015 said:
I still need a blue LED transilluminator for my gels... Those arent cheap either..
if you're as handy as you sound (not a challenge, just an observation) then you should be able to build one for a lot less than it would cost to buy one.