Description
The National Physical Laboratory [NPL] requirement is for a floor-standing centrifuge with a set of compatible rotors to be used for biological applications. The purpose is to perform key steps in cell culturing, protein production and DNA purification. These include, for example, collecting bacterial and mammalian cells from large-scale cell cultures, separation of cell debris from the soluble fraction of cell lysate, pelleting of DNA precipitate and removal of excess liquids in centrifugal and binding columns for protein and DNA purification.
The centrifuge needs to be a floor-standing, bio-safe, temperature controlled, and compatible with all selected rotors. The centrifuge must be able to accommodate a range of volumes, up to 6 litres, and run with a variety speeds, up to at least 75,000 relative centrifugal force, when used with suitable rotors. The set of rotors must cover the required speeds, volumes, and bottle/tube requirements.
The centrifuge must allow controlled centrifugation of biological solution and mixtures with following specs:
1) Temperature control of range from at least +0°C to +37°C during run, and continuous cooling feature after a run.
2) The centrifuge must be capable of variable centrifugation times.
3) The centrifuge must be equipped with an operating panel with start and stop buttons, options for centrifuge programming and ability to switch display speeds between revolutions per minute (RPM) and relative centrifugal force (RFC).
4) Equipped with an imbalance detector and automated stop of a run if imbalance is detected.
5) Rotor set-up requirement and respective in build max speed controls.
6) Compatibility with at least 4 different rotors and their possible adapters with the specifications set out below:
7) For pelleting large-scale cell cultures: A fixed-angle (15-25°), bio-certified rotor and with a locking with capacity for at least 6x1000 mL / 95x191 mm reusable centrifugal bottles and at least 15,000 RFC.
8) For pelleting cell debris in solution: A fixed-angle (30-40°), bio-certified, rotor and locking lid with capacity for at least 8x50 mL / 29x104 mm centrifugal tubes and minimum of 75,000 RFC.
9) For pelleting precipitated DNA: A fixed-angle (30-40°), bio-certified, lightweight, rotor with a locking lid with capacity for minimum of 8x50mL standard conical tubes and at least 20,000 RFC.
10) For multipurpose use: Swinging bucket, bio-certified, rotor with anodized aluminium buckets designed for use with adapters to accommodate a wide range of tubes, plates and bottles, and at least 5,000 RFC with compatible adaptors:
a. for at least 6 x 15 mL standard conical tubes per bucket
b. for at least 6 x 50 mL standard conical tubes per bucket
11) The centrifuge and the set of rotors must have a lead time maximum of 6 weeks from when the order is placed. The equipment must be delivered and installed to the lab.
12) The obsolete centrifuge and its rotors must be disposed of by the new equipment supplier.