Fake DNA in your qPCR? Comparative evaluation of leaching levels in PCR plates
Rafal Grzeskowiak, Eppendorf SE, Sandrine Hamels, Eric Gancarek, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
This study provides a comparative analysis of UV-absorbing leachables and qPCR fluorescence signals of water samples cycled in PCR plates from several manufacturers. The observed leaching levels and resulting false DNA concentrations were considerably high and varied markedly in the majority of t...

Comparison of the Cytotoxicity and Leaching Effects between different pipette tips
Jana Schmidt, Eppendorf SE
Estelle Deboever, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
Jean-Francois Hoet, Eppendorf Core Test Lab
A pipette and a pipette tip comprise a system which ensures precise results in any laboratory procedure involving liquid handling steps. Whereas the pipette can be used for years, the plastic tip belongs to the single-use consumables which contribute to laboratory waste, and which must be taken i...

Isolation and enrichment of Golgi Bodies from rice seedlings
Kazusato Oikawa, Eppendorf Lab for Biomaterial Chemistry, Kyoto
Shuichi Kani, Eppendorf Himac Technologies, Tokyo
Mark Hünken, Eppendorf SE
The Golgi apparatus of eukaryotic cells was first described more than 120 years ago by Camillo Golgi. Advances in (electron) microscopy revealed the complex structure while further biochemical analysis enlighted various functions of this organelle within the cell [1]. In cells of higher organisms...

Production of recombinant human Phosphoserine Phosphatase
Natascha Weiss, Eppendorf SE, Vincent Dufey, Silvia Tejerina Vargas, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
The production of recombinant proteins by genetically modified organisms is a fundamental biotechnology technique. The goal is to generate a high yield of functional protein which requires largescale cell culture with good cell growth and excellent protein expression. Therefore, a robust shaker i...

Optimizing Plasmid Yields in Shake Culture
Blandine Vanbellinghen, Silvia Tejerina, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
Ines Hartmann, Eppendorf SE
Recombinant plasmid DNA is produced in bacterial cultures, mostly in E. coli. Plasmid yield and quality depend on multiple factors, including the insert, the selection of host strain, the vector design, and the methodology chosen for cultivation and downstream purification. Here, we focus on how ...

The 60th birthday of a pipetting masterstroke
Eppendorf SE
2021 marks a key milestone for anyone working in a lab. Sixty years ago, Eppendorf changed the ways of handling liquids forever by introducing the world's first industrially manufactured piston-stroke pipette. Launched in 1961, the Eppendorf 'Marburg Pipette' featured the same basic elements as t...

Reliable and robust animal-component-free hMSC-BM expansion
Aurélie Tacheny, Wiame Ben El Mostapha, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
Nadine Mellies, Eppendorf SE
In the last decade, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have generated increasing scientific interest. Prior to their use as a powerful tool for research applications, hMSCs must be expanded without losing their phenotypic properties. This requires stable and completely defined hMSC culture s...

Optimization of bacterial culture and plasmid purification
Rafal Grzeskowiak, Eppendorf SE, Sandrine Hamels, Blandine Vanbellinghan, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
Plasmid purification from bacterial culture is a commonly performed protocol in molecular biology and life science laboratories. For medium scale preparations, 15 mL conical tubes with screw caps are typically used which often pose handling drawbacks and don't enable achieving optimal productivit...

Is that really DNA in your tube? Comparative analysis of UV-absorbing leachables in micro test tubes
Rafal Grzeskowiak, Diana Hübler, Eppendorf SE
Bioactive contaminants leaching out of laboratory consumables (leachables) may significantly affect experiments and may pose a likely source of error in many assay systems. Recent scientific evidence provides numerous examples of biological assays, which have been shown to be affected by leachabl...

Reduced PCR runtimes and increased yields
Kerstin Isermann, Arora Phang, Eppendorf SE
PCR is one of the most popular methods in laboratories across the world and is routinely used in research, reference and clinical fields for various applications. Over the years, PCR technology has evolved with the needs of scientists; including developments like real-time PCR and digital PCR. ...

The Tip of the Iceberg: How Pipette Tips Influence Results - How to Save Money at the Wrong End
Muriel Art, Vincent Dufey, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
Ulrike Gast, Eppendorf SE
With some manufacturers' tips it makes a difference if in serial pipetting (e.g. calibration), a new tip is used for each pipetting or if the series is pipetted using only one tip. This influence on the pipetting result is caused by variations in pipette tip quality. Eppendorf pipette tips were ...

The Tip of the Iceberg: How Pipette Tips Influence Results - Not Every Tip Tolerates Every Treatment
Muriel Art, Vincent Dufey, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
Ulrike Gast, Eppendorf SE
The pipetting accuracy of pipette tips by certain manufacturers may suffer after autoclaving. This was not the case for Eppendorf tips. We describe the measures which Eppendorf takes in order to avoid the negative influences of autoclaving. Furthermore, we describe how the interference of biologi...

The Tip of the Iceberg: How Pipette Tips Influence Results - Perfect Geometry Makes a Difference
Ulrike Gast, Laura Koch, Eppendorf SE
We performed a study including standard tips from different manufacturers in order to investigate the tip-related influences on the pipetting result. The study showed a dramatic impact of the tip on the pipetting accuracy. Small volume pipetting accuracy is significantly influenced by the quality...

The Tip of the Iceberg: How Pipette Tips Influence Results
Muriel Art, Vincent Dufey, Eppendorf Application Technologies S.A.
Ulrike Gast, Eppendorf SE
The fact that a tip fits onto a pipette cone does not say anything about the performance of the pipetting system comprising the components "Pipette and Tip". We performed a study including standard tips from 15 different manufacturers in order to investigate the tip-related influence on the pipet...