Centrifugation

High-sample throughput

Heraeus Multifuges from Kendro Laboratory Products (Hanau, Germany) are high-performance, high-sample capability centrifuges designed to meet the individual requirements of users in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and clinical research. They have up to four times more sample throughput than traditional general purpose centrifuges, can accommodate up to 16 microplates, and have a unique Highplate rotor for the centrifugation of filtration units in microplate format. They are available in tabletop, floor-standing, or kneewell models, in either refrigerated or non-refrigerated versions. http://www.kendro.com

Small spinners

Eppedorf (Hamburg, Germany) offers the MiniSpin and MiniSpin plus personal centrifuges for research and training laboratories. Features on both models include rapid acceleration and braking, low noise levels, a small footprint, and minimal sample heating. The MiniSpin reaches speeds of 13,400 rpm, while the MiniSpin plus can reach 14,500 rpm, with additional short-spin and continuous operation functions. http://www.eppendorf.com

Strength in tubes

COREX high-speed centrifuge tubes from Bibby-Sterilin (Stone, UK) are made from chemically strengthened borosilicate glass, and thus are less prone to breakage. Capable of withstanding centrifugation up to an RCF value of 13,100 and autoclaving up to 300 °C, they are available as rimless tubes of 15 ml and 30 ml capacity and a 25-ml screwcap tube with phenolic cap and PTFE-faced cap liner. http://www.bibby-sterilin.com

Filtration

Filtering viruses

Pall's (Port Washington, NY) Ultipor VF grade DV20 virus filter is designed for the enhanced clearance of viruses as small as 20 nm during biopharmaceutical drug manufacturing. It contains a water-wettable, modified PVDF microporous membrane that provides robust, efficient virus removal from biopharmaceuticals, plasma derivatives, tissue culture media, and buffers. Titer reductions of ≥3 log for 20 nm size viruses and ≥6 log for ≥50 nm size viruses are achievable, while providing 95% product transmission of proteins up to 160 kDa (MW) in size. http://www.pall.com

Quick change

To minimize the time and expense associated with assembling filter cartridges into stainless steel housings, Sartorius (Göttingen, Germany) offers MaxiCaps, a range of pre-sterilized, ready-to-fit polypropylene capsules for process-scale applications. Change out of old filters can be done in minutes, eliminating on-site sterilization and validation procedures. MaxiCaps come in length options of 365, 615, and 865 mm, giving filtration areas from 0.6 to 1.8 m2. http://www.sartorius.com

Filter cassette system

For ultrafiltration applications such as dialysis and the concentration of plasma proteins, monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, vaccines, yeasts, fungi, and algae, Schleicher and Schuell's (Dassel, Germany) ULTRAN range of membrane cassettes combines the benefits of high product recovery and easy cleaning. Characteristics include a low tendency towards concentration polarization, reduced protein binding, and an ideal ratio of water flow rate to protein flow rate. Additionally, the cassettes fit into filter holders of other manufacturers as well as Schleicher and Schuell's stainless steel hardware. http://www.s-und-s.de