When running a successful pharmaceutical lab, the right equipment is essential. Having the right tools in place can make all the difference in producing quality results and ensuring your lab meets safety and industry standards. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of equipment that every pharmaceutical lab needs to invest in for optimal success.
- Biological Safety Cabinets
Biological Safety Cabinets are a critical piece of equipment used in pharmaceutical labs. They create a barrier between the user and hazardous materials, preventing contamination from airborne particles and vapours. Depending on the type of work being performed, there are three types of Biological Safety Cabinets: Class I, Class II, and Class III.
Class I Biological Safety Cabinets provide personnel protection only, as they do not provide product protection. They are ideal for applications such as decontaminating or manipulating culture plates and typically cost less than the other classes.
Class II Biological Safety Cabinets provide both personnel and product protection. They are ideal for performing activities such as conducting experiments with volatile chemicals and can be either static (non-ventilated) or dynamic (ventilated).
Class III, Biological Safety Cabinets, provide personnel and product protection, but with the added benefit of containment of hazardous materials. They are ideal for applications such as working with infectious agents and are typically more expensive than other classes of BSCs.
- Centrifuges
Centrifuges are an essential piece of equipment for pharmaceutical laboratories. They are used to separate mixtures by spinning them at high speeds, resulting in the particles being forced away from each other due to centrifugal force. It allows the substances in the mixture to be separated by their densities, allowing for further analysis and use. Benchtop centrifuges are the most common, and they are used for low-volume samples.
- CO2 Incubators
It is necessary to ensure the optimal growth of cells, bacteria, and other organisms. CO2 incubators are essential equipment for pharmaceutical labs and other scientific settings. These incubators provide a controlled environment where temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels can be precisely regulated.
CO2 incubators come in a variety of models, sizes and styles. They may be used to incubate samples such as cell cultures or bacteria for various laboratory procedures.
When selecting a CO2 incubator for your lab, you must consider the size and features you need. It would help if you also looked for an incubator that is easy to clean and maintain.
- Cryogenic Storage
Cryogenic storage is equipment that is necessary for storing delicate samples or those that need long-term preservation. Cryogenic storage systems store samples, reagents, and other materials at extremely low temperatures. Cryogenic storage systems come in various sizes and capacities, ranging from tabletop versions to large walk-in freezers.
When looking for cryogenic storage equipment, it is important to consider the types of materials you will be storing. Some materials may require specialized temperature controls and containment devices to prevent leakage.
- Double-Ended Scales
Double-ended scales provide precise measurements of both solids and liquids. They have two different weighing pans and are extremely accurate, allowing for precise measurements down to the milligram.
Most double-ended scales also have a digital display with a readout that allows for precise measurements. Allowing operators to accurately measure ingredients more accurately than manual scales.
- Environmental Chambers
Environmental chambers are essential pieces of equipment for pharmaceutical labs. These chambers provide a controlled environment to test samples, with consistent humidity and temperature levels. They are used to simulate the effects of various environmental conditions on pharmaceuticals, including those found in different parts of the world. Environmental chambers can also help researchers understand how their products react under certain temperature and humidity changes.
Environmental chambers provide the ability to simulate various environmental conditions. Providing insight into how a product will perform in the real world. A laboratory can ensure accurate and reliable testing results by investing in quality environmental chambers.
Conclusion
The right equipment in your pharmaceutical labs is essential for efficient and accurate experiments. Investing in the right equipment can help improve your laboratory results’ effectiveness and accuracy. The equipment discussed above is just some of the basics you need to consider when setting up pharmaceutical labs. Make sure you have a reliable supplier who can provide you with quality equipment and additional resources if you need more specialized equipment.