Thermo Fisher Specialty Lab Equipment: Freeze Dryers, SpeedVac & PCR Workstations

Specialty lab equipment supports tasks that general instruments can’t easily handle—freeze-drying heat-sensitive samples, concentrating nucleic acids without loss, performing nucleic-acid hybridization with tight temperature control, precision UV crosslinking, and contamination-aware PCR setup. On this page, you can compare options side-by-side and request quotes through Iright.

Featured Categories: Freeze Dryers, SpeedVac Vacuum Concentrators, Hybridization Ovens, UV Crosslinkers & PCR Workstations

Selecting by application is the fastest way to narrow choices. The groups below summarize typical use cases, core specs to watch, and common accessories so you can move from research to purchase with fewer back-and-forths.

• Freeze Dryers / Lyophilizers — For long-term preservation and solvent removal with minimal thermal stress. Watch for condenser temperature and capacity, chamber style (bulk vs manifold), shelf configuration, and compatible glassware/flasks. Typical workflows: proteins, peptides, antibodies, microbiology stocks.

• SpeedVac / Vacuum Concentrators — For rapid solvent removal from DNA/RNA, oligos, proteomics or metabolomics extracts. Key parameters include rotor capacity, achievable vacuum, temperature range, and chemical compatibility. Consider integrated cold traps for volatile solvents.

• Hybridization Ovens — For consistent nucleic-acid membrane hybridizations. Evaluate temperature uniformity, rotation speed, bottle/rack compatibility, and chamber volume. Look for programmable controls to standardize protocols.

• UV Crosslinkers — For UV-mediated nucleic-acid immobilization and other membrane workflows. Confirm wavelength (often 254 nm; some models offer 365 nm), energy/time dosing modes, and chamber uniformity.

• PCR Workstations / PCR Enclosures — For contamination-aware setup of PCR mixes. Distinguish these from biological safety cabinets: PCR enclosures focus on UV decontamination and clean work areas, not personnel or product protection. Check HEPA/UV options and timer cycles.

How to Choose: Capacity, Vacuum/Temperature Uniformity, UV Control & Compatibility

Once you know the application, rank practical constraints: bench space, sample throughput, and required performance windows. Then layer in compatibility—rotors, manifolds, bottles and racks—plus maintenance and documentation needs for your lab’s compliance environment.

• Sample properties — Heat sensitivity, volatility, corrosiveness; choose cooling and material compatibility accordingly.

• Throughput & capacity — Volumes (mL–L) and batch frequency determine chamber sizes, rotor choices, shelf counts, or bottle racks.

• Performance — Verify condenser/cold-trap temp for lyophilizers; vacuum and temperature controls for concentrators; temperature uniformity and rotation for hybridization; wavelength and dose control for crosslinkers.

• Compatibility — Ensure rotors, adapters, manifolds, bottle racks, and seals match your existing consumables.

• Compliance & safety — Consider HEPA/UV cycles, electrical specifications (115/230 V), and product certifications (CE/UL).

• Total cost of ownership — Plan for UV bulbs, gaskets, filters, and service intervals; choose models with accessible maintenance parts.

Compare Models: Lyophilizers, Vacuum Concentrators, Hybridization Ovens & UV Crosslinkers

The table below is an at-a-glance filter to shortlist candidates. Use it to compare capacity, key specs, and control modes before you drill into detailed datasheets. Populate SKUs/MPNs exactly as listed by Thermo Fisher to maintain data integrity.

Applications & Protocol Tips for Freeze Drying, DNA/RNA Concentration, Hybridization & UV Crosslinking

This section bridges marketing specs and real-world SOPs. Use the pointers to avoid common pitfalls and to choose accessories that stabilize performance across batches.

• Freeze drying (proteins/peptides) — Match condenser temperature to solvent mix; for aqueous buffers, lower temperatures increase capture but lengthen cycles. Manifold setups suit flasks and diverse vessels; shelf systems suit vials and trays with repeatable layer thickness. Pre-freeze uniformly to reduce sublimation gradients.

• Vacuum concentration (DNA/RNA/omics) — Keep temperatures modest for heat-sensitive analytes; solvent volatility and rotor geometry drive time to dryness. Use sealed rotors and appropriate chemical traps when concentrating organic phases to protect pumps and maintain vacuum stability.

• Hybridization — Temperature uniformity and gentle rotation reduce edge effects. Bottle size and rack spacing should match membrane dimensions and buffer volumes to prevent channeling. Standardize warm-up times and rinse steps to minimize variability.

• UV crosslinking — Prefer energy-based dosing for consistency across bulb aging. 254 nm is common for nucleic-acid immobilization; 365 nm may be used for specific chemistries. Replace bulbs per manufacturer intervals and validate dose with built-in sensors if available.

• PCR workstations — Plan UV cycles before and after work; UV is for surface decontamination, not sterilization of biological hazards. If you need personnel/product protection or biohazard handling, use a certified biological safety cabinet rather than a PCR enclosure.

Accessories & Consumables: Rotors, Manifolds, Bottle Racks, UV Lamps & Maintenance Kits

Accessories often determine real-world throughput and consistency. Group them with the host instrument in your cart to ensure compatibility and reduce lead-time fragmentation across purchase orders.

• For lyophilizers — Manifolds and multi-port adapters; flask couplings; vial stoppers; shelf kits and temperature probes; moisture/oil filters.

• For concentrators — Rotors (microtubes, PCR strips, deep-well plates), adapters, solvent-rated seals; cold traps and replacement trap media; vacuum pump service kits.

• For hybridization ovens — Bottle racks, hybridization bottles in multiple volumes, roller assemblies, tray kits.

• For UV crosslinkers — Replacement UV bulbs (match wavelength), calibration sensors, protective eyewear, interlock service kits.

• For PCR enclosures — UV bulbs, HEPA filters (if applicable), sash seals, cleaning kits, hour meters for UV lamp life tracking.

FAQs: SpeedVac vs Rotavap, 254 nm vs 365 nm, PCR Workstation vs Biosafety Cabinet

The questions below capture common decision points. Follow the links in this page to jump back to the appropriate section and verify details before ordering.

• When is a SpeedVac better than a rotary evaporator? For small volumes, multi-sample batches, and heat-sensitive nucleic acids where gentle vacuum and moderate temperatures prevent degradation—especially with plate/tube rotors.

• 254 nm or 365 nm for crosslinking membranes? Most nucleic-acid immobilization protocols rely on 254 nm; 365 nm is reserved for certain chemistries. Choose models with energy-based dosing for repeatability.

• Is a PCR workstation the same as a biosafety cabinet? No. PCR enclosures support clean, UV-decontaminated setup but do not provide the personnel/product/containment protection of certified biological safety cabinets.

• Do I need HEPA in a PCR enclosure? Optional HEPA/laminar flow improves particulate control; base UV-only enclosures may suffice for low-risk environments with disciplined workflows.

• How do I size a freeze dryer? Start from batch volume and matrix (vials vs flasks), then pick condenser capacity and shelf area to finish cycles within your target turnaround.

Talk to Iright: Local Thermo Fisher Distributor Support, Lead Times & Quotes

To speed up procurement, share your target workflow, daily/weekly batch size, preferred accessories, and any compliance requirements (CE/UL, validation packages). Iright can verify SKUs directly against Thermo Fisher documentation, confirm compatibility for rotors and manifolds, and quote accurate lead times and service options for your region.