An orbital plate shaker is a laboratory device used to mix liquids in containers, such as flasks, bottles, or microplates, by moving them in a circular or orbital motion. This type of shaker is essential for experiments that require gentle mixing or agitation without causing too much turbulence or disruption of samples, such as cell cultures or certain biochemical reactions.
Key Features of an Orbital Plate Shaker:
- Orbital Motion: The shaker moves in a circular or orbital pattern, which provides consistent and gentle mixing. The orbit radius (usually 1-3 cm) determines how vigorous the mixing will be.
- Speed Control: Adjustable shaking speed, typically ranging from 50 RPM to 300 RPM or more, allowing for gentle or vigorous mixing based on the experiment’s needs.
- Platform Size: Available in various platform sizes to accommodate different types of labware, such as microplates, flasks, beakers, or test tubes.
- Digital Timer and Speed Display: Most modern orbital shakers feature digital controls to precisely set the speed and time for reproducible results.
- Non-Slip Surface or Clamps: The platform often has a non-slip rubber surface or adjustable clamps to securely hold containers in place during shaking.
- Temperature Control (Optional): Some advanced models come with heating or cooling features for experiments requiring temperature regulation.
Common Applications:
- Cell Culture: Used to mix and aerate cell cultures in flasks or dishes, ensuring even distribution of nutrients and oxygen.
- Biochemical Reactions: Gentle mixing of reagents in assays to keep solutions homogeneous, such as in enzyme reactions or DNA hybridization.
- Protein Studies: Shaking proteins in solution to prevent sedimentation during incubation steps.
- Microplate Assays: Mixing samples in 96-well or 384-well plates for applications like ELISA, PCR, and drug screening.
Benefits:
- Uniform Mixing: The orbital motion ensures consistent mixing without creating large bubbles or disrupting sensitive samples.
- Versatility: Can handle a variety of lab containers and plate formats, making it useful across multiple disciplines, including microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
- Time Efficiency: Eliminates the need for manual shaking, freeing up lab personnel for other tasks.
- Reproducibility: Adjustable speed and timer settings allow for controlled and repeatable experimental conditions.
An orbital plate shaker is a key tool in many laboratory settings, particularly for experiments that require gentle, even mixing over a period of time, without excessive turbulence.