March 1, 2022 By Kewaunee International Group Comments are Off LabContamination, LabEquipment, Laboratory, LabProtocol, LabSafety, LaminarAirFlow, PCRWorkstation

PCR Workstations — What are they & how to use them?

PCR workstations are a much-needed tool in any biological laboratory these days. Often, they’re confused with biosafety cabinets and other laminar hoods. Still, the biggest differentiator is that they’re meant explicitly for PCR purposes. This is to prevent any cross-contamination in critical experiments such as RNA/ DNA identification and amplification.

At Kewaunee International, we have a range of PCR workstations with varying sizes to fit your laboratory needs. If you’re looking to elevate your experiments, you can view the products here.

The W’s	Key Pointers
What are they?	They are a type of workspace which are used explicitly for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) experiments Alternatively known as PCR hoods Specifically made with a three-sided enclosure to allow only a single-entry point
Why do you need to use them?	Since PCR experiments focus on DNA/ RNA amplification, it’s easy for cross-contamination to occur When this happens, you get improper results or amplification of non-target genes, leading to wasted time & effort Air quality within the hood is sustained, providing an aseptic environment
How to use them?	It’s always important to sterilise the entire hood before using it using ethanol Ensure that no open flames must be present within the hood Any material that blocks the air grills must be removed Regular checks must be performed to ensure that the ventilator and HEPA filters are giving optimal performance (99.99% efficiency at 0.3 microns)
What safety standards need to be followed?	PCR hoods are certified using ISO-5 certification ISO-5 is meant for cleanroom certifications only when there is a need for unidirectional airflow PCR hoods need a vertical laminar airflow which is checked for using these guidelines Air velocity must be between 0.3 m/s and 0.5 m/s with 240 – 360 air changes per hour

Kewaunee International Group

Kewaunee, the global leader in total laboratory solutions, empowers organisations to achieve competitive advantage through safe, efficient, and contemporary laboratories. In existence since 1906, Kewaunee powers the laboratories for over 5,000 customers in more than 100 countries.

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PCR Workstations — What are they & how to use them?

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