To Order Call:
800-852-0102
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To Order Call:
800-852-0102
Stovall Life Science offers the biofilm investigator an affordable, sterile, consumable flow cell apparatus for creation of biofilms, and for direct, non destructive, on-line microscopic examination of biofilms. The gamma irradiated flow cell, bubble trap and connective tubing necessary for experiments is completely assembled in its airtight package, and needs only to be opened and connected to a reservoir of culture medium and a peristaltic pump to start a biofilm experiment. This single use set-up eliminates the possibility of carryover from one experiment to the next, and eliminates time consuming sterilization methods which either require equipment not easily accessible to most researchers (ethylene oxide chambers) or are, in fact, disinfection methods (hypochlorite). Moreover, the bubble trap design creates a low positive pressure on the flow of medium, thus mitigating the undesirable peristaltic pulsation in liquid delivery to the flow cell.
Single 3 Channel Flow Cell with Tubing Attached & Glass Cover Slip.
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The triple channels of the flow cell are covered with a #1 glass cover slip, attached to the cell with acrylic adhesive. The cover slip can be scored & removed for access to the biofilm for further analysis. Each channel measures 1 mm D x 4mm W x 40 mm L. Influent & effluent tubing is attached by barbed fittings. Write-on multicolored flags index the tubing at two junctures. |
Bubble Trap
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The triple cylinder bubble trap with air release cocks captures air bubbles released from the flowing culture medium. Inside the cylinder a "fountain" spout directs the flow of liquid upward for better release of air bubbles. The air release cocks allow the investigator to control the amount of air captured & govern the pressure on the passing liquid to help mitigate peristaltic pulsation. |
Elements of the Continuous Flow Cell System.
a. A three outlet manifold disperses medium to a pump.
b. A triple cylinder bubble trap with air release cocks.
c. Write on flags.
d. PVC tubing connects the bubble trap to the flow cell.
e. Pinch clamps.
f. Luer connectors for collection of effluent.
g. Triple chambers with glass cover slip.
h. Tubing to waste container.
Gamma irradiated flow cells (ACCFL0001) and bubble traps (ACCFL0002) are sold separately as accessories.
Hardware for Start Up Laboratories
Many labs are already adequately equipped to use the Stovall flow cell perfusion system. However, for those labs needing set up equipment, Stovall offers the various elements which can be purchased in part or whole for biofilm experiments:
- 4 liter and 10 liter autoclavable medium containers.
- 4 liter autoclavable effluent container.
- Ismatec peristaltic pumps.
References for the Stovall Flow Cell Apparatus
Prototypes of the Stovall flow cell apparatus have been used successfully for biofilm cultures by numerous scientists over the past 3 years. Below are publications by some of these investigators who have useed the flow cell apparatus:
Christensen BB, Sternberg C, Andersen JB, Palmer RJ Jr, Nielsen AT, Givskov M, Molin S.
Molecular tools for study of biofilm physiology.
Methods Enzymol. 1999;310:20-42. Review.
Heydorn A, Ersboll BK, Hentzer M, Parsek MR, Givskov M, Molin S. Related Articles
Experimental reproducibility in flow-chamber biofilms.
Microbiology.2000 Oct; 146 (Pt 10): 2409-15.
Mathee K, Ciofu O, Sternberg C, Lindum PW, Campbell Jl, Jensen P, Johnsen AH, Givskov M, Ohman DE, Molin S, Hoiby N, Kharazmi A.
Mucoid conversion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by hydrogen peroxide:
a mechanism for virulence activation in thecystic fibrosis lung.
Microbiology. 1999 Jun; 145 (Pt 6): 1349-57.
Nielsen AT, Tolker-Nielsen T, Barken KB, Molin S.
Role of commensal relationships on the spatial structure of a surface attached microbial consortium.
Environ Microbial. 200 Feb; 2(1): 59-68.
Ramos C, Licht TR, Sternberg C, Krogfelt KA, Molin S.
Monitoring bacterial growth activity in biofilms from laboratory flow chambers, plant rhizosphere, and animal intestine.
Methods Enzymol. 2001; 337:21-42.
Sternberg C, Christensen BB, Johansen T, Toftgaard Nielsen A, Andersen JB, Givskov M, Molin S. Related Articles
Distribution of bacterial growth activity in flow-chamber biofilms.
Appl environ Microbiol. 1999 Sep; 65(9): 4108-17.
Tolker-Nielsen T, Molin S.
Spatial Organization of Microbial Biofilm Communities.
Microb Ecol. 2000 Aug; 40(2): 75-84.
Complete Assembled Flow Cell Apparatus, Cat# FLCAS0001
FLow Cell, Cat# ACCFL0001
Bubble Trap, Cat# ACCFL0002