Starting a new lab can be a daunting project to say the least. From determining a budget to leasing or purchasing lab space to hiring personnel, the number of details and decisions to be made can quickly become overwhelming. The good news is that there are only a few basic pieces of lab equipment you need to get started and you can supplement and add to these as your lab expands or your needs widen.
So in no particular order, here are the most basic pieces of equipment that every biotech startup needs to have in place:
A basic microcentrifuge and rotor for spinning 1.5mL or 2mL tubes at high speeds. This is essential for a variety of applications, including pelleting nucleic acids or proteins from solution, microfiltration of small aqueous samples or simply to gather those last precious drops of liquid into the bottom of the tube. A small benchtop unit such as the Eppendorf 5424, Eppendorf 5430, Thermo Legend, or Beckman 22R can serve a wide variety of purposes in any lab.
A larger capacity, lower-speed centrifuge is also a must have, and in all likelihood this will be one of the unsung workhorses in many labs. Most of our customers opt for a refrigerated model in order to keep samples cool and protect from degradation. The Beckman Allegra 6R has been a lab standard for years. We also like the Eppendorf 5810R and 5804R models.
An analytical balance accurate to 0.1mg or more is another must have. While you may also want to invest in a toploading model with less sensitivity and higher capacity, if budgetary considerations restrict you to a single balance you can always have an analytical balance serve double-duty until additional funding comes through. Mettler Toledo consistently makes quality products, and we also have had good experiences with certain Sartorius models, too.
Another basic workhorse. Pipettes are used to transfer liquid from one container to another in precise, measurable, repeatable amounts. We clean and calibrate all of our pipettes prior to shipping. For most lab, a set of something basic single channel Rainin or Gilson units is fine, although some people prefer electronic or digital display models like the Rainin E4 XLS series.
A basic but essential piece of benchtop equipment used for general heating and stirring applications. We prefer analog units with digital displays, such as the Barnstead SuperNuova and IKA models.
Vortex mixers are typically inexpensive and often will be supplemented with a larger orbital platform shakers. The Vortex Genie 2 is still an industry standard. IKA KS501 orbital shakers are quality machines for larger volume shaking needs, as are the very large capacity VWR Advanced series and the New Brunswick Innova models.
For CO2 incubators, the Forma 3110 was an industry standard for years and remains a popular, economical choice. Thermo recently introduced the Thermo Forma Series 3 4110 model which we also like. Other models such as the Thermo Stericycle, Panasonic MCO units, and Binder C150 have decon and sterilization cycles. Large capacity units like the Thermo 3950 and the Sheldon model 2440 are good options for labs that have high volume storage needs.
Some sort of cold storage is a must have and be configured to meet the space requirements/restrictions of any lab. A combination fridge-freezer is a straightforward choice, while some people prefer undercounter models with one fridge and one freezer placed side by side underneath a workbench in order to save floor space. For labs with enough room a dedicated upright refrigerator similar to Fisher Isotemp unit and separate freezer like the Thermo UGL2320 is an option as well.
Water baths to incubate samples at a constant temperature are typically constructed with seamless stainless-steel tanks that are easy to clean and durable. We always have a variety of units in stock in many different volumes, as well as dual tank models.
To sterilize glassware and other equipment, every lab needs an autoclave. Smaller benchtop are a good fit for small labs, while larger Tuttnauer and Market Forge models provide greater capacity and throughput. Portable, vertical load models are good options for labs that are not able to install plumbing fixtures.
Now before you send the “What about…?” and “You forgot…!” emails, we recognize that this is not a comprehensive list. We left off some basics such as fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, thermal cyclers, and other pieces of equipment that most startups consider must haves, along with consumables such as gloves, pipette tips, eyeware, lab coats, etc. And or course there’s also more advanced equipment such as homogenizers, spectrophotometers, microplate readers and washers, imaging systems, and many more than can be considered must haves depending on the application in question.
We can provide all of the equipment listed above along with many other types of equipment for use in biotechnology labs. Check out our website for more information on currently available inventory and as always please feel free to give us a call or email with any questions. Thanks!
American Instrument Exchange has been a reliable source for used laboratory and scientific equipment for over 50 years, buying and selling equipment since 1969. Our surplus lab equipment is reconditioned for many types of laboratories, including biotech, biomedical, medical research, chemical, pharmaceutical, and university and hospital research laboratories. All lab equipment listed on our website is in stock and ships from our 30,000 square foot warehouse in Massachusetts. Our facilities include a fully equipped shop with highly trained technicians who thoroughly test each instrument before it reaches your laboratory. Please visit our website at https://www.americaninstrument.com/.