CO2 INCUBATOR RESOURCE GUIDE

2018

CO2 INCUBATOR
RESOURCE GUIDE

INTRODUCTION BEST PRACTICES FOR CO2

by Rachel Muenz
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN
BUYING A CO2 INCUBATOR
by Ryan Ackerman
6 SIGNS YOU SHOULD SERVICE
OR REPLACE YOUR CO2
INCUBATOR
by Lab Manager
INCUBATOR CARE AND USE
by Erica Tennenhouse, PhD
HOW TO AVOID
CONTAMINATION IN CELL
CULTURE
by Angelo DePalma, PhD

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 Introduction
by Rachel Muenz

CO2 incubators are designed to copy a cell’s natural

environment with a relative humidity of around
95 percent, a temperature of 37°C and a pH of
7.2 to 7.5. They are most common in biology labs
performing tissue or cell culture and are used in
any process where cells need to be cultured for
a few hours or many weeks or where cells need
to be expanded or maintained. Applications of
CO2 incubators include cancer research, protein
synthesis, stem cell research, in vitro fertilization,
vaccine development, and genetic engineering.

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CO2 INCUBATOR RESOURCE GUIDE
Questions to Ask When Buying a
CO2 Incubator
by Ryan Ackerman
How will the number of users and experiments
affect the type of CO2 incubator required?
The number of workers utilizing the incubator and the
scope of tests being run can strongly affect the type of CO2
incubator used. If the requirements are for personal use and
for isolating a small number of cultures, a benchtop unit
may be the best fit. Alternatively, if there are many users
and multiple cultures being isolated, a floor standing unit—
which is typically larger—can be used. As well, stackable
floor standing units are available to allow for isolation of
different cultures.
How does the sensitivity of the cultures influence
which type of CO2 incubator is ideal?
Depending on the temperature sensitivity of cultures, many
different heating methods can be used. Direct heat units
have larger internal capacity and also allow for temperature
uniformity for a lower price point. For units that are
constantly opened, a water jacketed unit would be ideal.
Water acts as a natural insulator to better keep in heat, even
during a power outage. For samples where drying out is a
concern or there’s a need to ramp up to temperature quickly,
an air jacketed model may be best.
Lab Manager 2018
What incubator should be used for cell lines that
are sensitive to O2 levels?
When culturing cells that are sensitive to O2 levels such as
animal or human cell lines, the ability to control O2 levels
can increase throughput as well as create healthier cell
cultures. Ambient air is typically 20-21 percent O2 whereas,
in the body, O2 levels can range from 1-14%. The ability to
create hypoxic conditions will help cultures live longer, grow
more quickly, and will not induce excessive stress.
What is the total cost of ownership?
Calculate the total cost of ownership on the product over
one year including product price, install, regular cleaning
labor, and material like HEPA filters.
TO P 8 Q U E ST I O N S YO U S H O U L D
AS K W H E N
BUYING A CO2 INCUBATOR
1. What measures have been taken in the design to
avoid contamination and what features are included
to remove contamination?
2. What capacity and orientation of incubator does
your lab require?
3. Which temperature control will you need? Direct
heat, water jacketed, or air jacketed?
4. How does the CO2 sensor contribute to optimal
cell growth?
5. How does the humidity contribute to optimal cell
growth?
6. Ask for the uniformity and accuracy data versus
asking for a water jacket or air jacket.
7. Do you need O2 control to simulate the
environment for your experiment accurately?
8. Calculate the total cost of ownership on the
product over one year including product price,
install, regular cleaning labor, material like HEPA
filters, etc.
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CO2 INCUBATOR RESOURCE GUIDE

6 Signs You
Should Service
or Replace Your
CO2 Incubator
by Lab Manager

1. If your CO2 incubator is older than 5 years, chances

are there have been improvements to CO2 incubator
technology such as IR sensor monitoring of the
CO2 levels, which improve the accuracy of CO2 level
monitoring and the reliability of the incubator.

2. Parts of your CO2 incubator are obsolete and

impossible to get, which could result in excessive down-
time. It is better to replace the unit early and reduce the
risk.

3. The warranty period is expired. Repairs on units that

are out of the warranty can be costly. It may be more
economical to buy a new unit.

4. The unit is having CO2 calibration issues.

5. The unit is having frequent contamination issues.

6. If your application has changed, it might be time for a

new CO2 incubator or an upgrade.

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CO2 INCUBATOR RESOURCE GUIDE

Best Practices for CO2 Incubator

Care and Use
by Lab Manager

Use the Right Water

One common mistake users make is to use highly pure

water rather than sterile, distilled water. Water types such as
deionized or highly pure Type I have few ions so they will
actually pull ions from the materials in the incubator like the
stainless steel and, over time, that will cause corrosion.

Change HEPA Filters

Many users forget to change the HEPA filters on incubators

that use them. Filters should be changed every six months
or so.

CO2 Incubator Maintenance Checks Performed by Lab Manager readers:

Maintain Optimal Temperature
Inspect humidity pan and to make sure pan is at
62.41%
CO2 incubators are typically maintained at 37°C. Attach a proper level
calibrated thermometer to the inside of the glass door to Inspect display temperature with internal
enable temperature readings from the outside when the door 58.16%
thermometer
is closed. Check periodically that the temperature sensor
matches the thermometer reading, and recalibrate the sensor Inspect pressure gauges on CO2 tank regulator 57.45%
if the readings differ. Disinfect interior and autoclave all removable parts
57.45%
if so desired
Monitor CO2
Inspect gas lines and CO2 regulator for leaks 45.39%
The CO2 concentration should be kept around 5 percent to Inspect CO2 with independent analyzer 41.84%
match physiological conditions and to maintain a constant
pH. While most CO2 incubators are equipped with a CO2 Use factory procedures to calibrate CO2
and temperature 37.59%
sensor, an external gas analyzer will help to ensure the
readings are accurate. Inspect power cord for wear 30.50%

Keep Humidity High Inspect CO2 tank switcher for proper operation 29.79%

If the humidity inside of the incubator falls too low, the Inspect CO2 tank switcher for proper operation 24.82%
cell culture can evaporate or growth media can become too
Inspect all filters for discoloration. Replace if discolored 24.11%
concentrated. To keep humidity around 95%, make sure that
there is always water in the tray under the incubator. Inspect air flow or fan blade for rotation and discoloration 16.31%

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CO2 INCUBATOR RESOURCE GUIDE

Product Spotlight
InVitroCell CO2 Incubator NU-8600

NuAire’s New InVitroCell CO2 Incubator NU-8600 series

models use Water Jacketed technology for greater temperature
uniformity to ensure optimal cell growth. The NU-8600 series uses
heated water to surround the growth chamber so that uniform
temperature conditions for cell culture growth are reached. This
product also uses a single source dual wave IR sensor to maintain
accurate CO2 gas levels that are impervious to other elements
such as water vapor. The NU-8600 series also features Constant
Contamination Control systems. This system includes a Closed
Loop HEPA Filtration system, Coved Interior Corners, and copper
surfaces to provide a reliable growth environment.

Learn More

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CO2 INCUBATOR RESOURCE GUIDE

How to Avoid Contamination in

Cell Culture
by Angelo DePalma, PhD

• Follow good pipetting practices: When in doubt, throw

• Wipe hands, work areas, and anything that enters the
work area with 70 percent ethanol.
• Avoid pouring media and reagents directly from their
factory containers, and reseal bottles immediately after use.
it away.
• Keep flasks, bottles, and dishes covered until use; rest
caps with their tops down.
• Use only sterile glassware and equipment.
• Eliminate gratuitous exhalation (singing, whistling)
while working, and perform experiments as rapidly as
possible.
• Keep the CO2 incubator away from windows that are
opened, doors, and air vents.
• Clean other cell-culture equipment, such as centrifuge
chambers and rotors, microscope stages, and water
baths.
• Do not use the top of an incubator as a shelf for storing
gloves or other items.
• Only add sterile water to the humidity pan.

LINDA Says...
Labs on a budget can share incubator space, buy a used incubator, or simply select their size of incubator
and features to fit their price point. It may also be worthwhile to look into getting grant money—
sustainability departments sometimes offer grants for low power consumption products.

Meet LINDA
LINDA is a lab manager. Her job is to balance the
scientific needs of her staff with the business needs
Linda
of her lab. LINDA stands for:

Leadership
Informed
Negotiator
Decision-Maker
Accountable

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CO2 INCUBATOR RESOURCE GUIDE

Featured
Manufacturers

NuAire
For more than 40 years, NuAire has been committed to bringing you the highest-quality, most dependable laboratory
products on the market. We are recognized as one of the world’s leading providers of reliable equipment including Biological
Safety Cabinets, CO2 Incubators, Centrifuges, Laminar Air Flow workstations, Ultra Low Temperature Freezers, Animal
Transfer Stations, Pharmacy Compounding Isolators, Polypropylene Fume Hoods, and Polypropylene Casework. As a NuAire
customer, you can also rely on us for outstanding value and dependable service - the cornerstones of our reputation as the
leading provider of laboratory products internationally.

www.nuaire.com

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world
healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges,
improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. We offer an unmatched
combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services.

www.thermofisher.com

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