4 replies to this topic

[Mullet]

our group is moving labs, and we are going to lose access to the laminar flow.. so we are in the market for a new one.

We are primarily molecular biology lab doing pcr, so only use a laminar flow for preparation of agar plates now and again for cloning.
Looking around on the net, I found some PCR cabinets that appear to be OK - UV sterilised filtered air flow, and lower price/weight/size of a conventional laminar flow.

By my reasoning, if a cabinet is sufficient for preparing PCR rxns (and is not the passive dead-air type), then surely it is sufficient for poring plates etc too?

Or am i missing something?
An example of what i am talking about can be found here:
http://www.lamsyst.c...ts/pcr-cabinets

[microgirl]

I have worked in a number of dirty, old labs and have never had a problem just pouring plates (and cloning) on my lab bench. As long as you're not under an air vent for your heating or air conditioning, I don't think you need any type of hood or cabinet.

[lab rat]

It's better to pour in a hood. Pouring on the bench can be acceptable--unless you're streaking for isogeneity--but you run the risk of environmental contaminants such as fungal spores dropping in your agar.

Even though the fungus will grow more slowly than your bugs, it's better to keep spores out if you can. It's frustrating to redo a plate because, two weeks later, it's covered in mold.

[snoopyx]

Mullet, on Feb 19 2010, 04:07 AM, said:

our group is moving labs, and we are going to lose access to the laminar flow.. so we are in the market for a new one.

We are primarily molecular biology lab doing pcr, so only use a laminar flow for preparation of agar plates now and again for cloning.
Looking around on the net, I found some PCR cabinets that appear to be OK - UV sterilised filtered air flow, and lower price/weight/size of a conventional laminar flow.

By my reasoning, if a cabinet is sufficient for preparing PCR rxns (and is not the passive dead-air type), then surely it is sufficient for poring plates etc too?

Or am i missing something?
An example of what i am talking about can be found here:
http://www.lamsyst.c...ts/pcr-cabinets

Basically a PCR-cabinet is something as a Clean-bench, just smaller kinda bench-top. It blows HEPA filtered air over your sample towards the user. So you have optimal sample protection and no user protection.
A class 2 laminar flow offers both. So your sample is protected. Through specific air flow aerosol contaminated air doesn't get to the user. It is HEPA filtered and released in the room or the ventilation.
So for your needs a PCR cabinet should be just fine. You can pour your plates w/o any problems. Just never do any infectious work in their!

[Mullet]

Thanx snoopy - thats what i thought
we only really use the existing laminar (Class 1 type) for pouring/setting plates- at the moment we prepare PCRs on the bench without problems anyway!

The difference in price between PCR cabinets and Class 2 laminars doesn´t really compare....