WPI Blog

VIDEO: NanoFil Needles Cause Less Tissue Damage

NanoFil™ is a unique low volume syringe developed for improved microinjection in mice and other small animals. NanoFil needles are specially designed with a small outside diameter and spear point for shallow penetration and to cause the least amount of tissue damage. 

VIDEO: NanoFil Microliter Syringes for Accurate Microinjections

NanoFil™ is a unique low volume syringe developed for improved microinjection in mice and other small animals. It comes in both 10 and 100 microliter volumes and can be paired with a UMP3 UltraMicroPump for making accurate microliter injections. NanoFil stainless steel needles range in size from 33 to 36 gauge.

DCAP - Humane Dispatch of Laboratory Rodents

DCAP guillotines are designed for small animal researchers, and they come in three sizes. The DCAP is considered one of the most humane methods of dispatching laboratory animals. With a single downward motion of the handle, you can euthanize a laboratory rodent quickly and without trauma.

How to Mount an Electrode Holder on Your Micromanipulator

The M3301 is a popular micromanipulator used for laboratory research. Here we will show you how to mount a microelectrode holder on the M3301 Micromanipulator. The procedure is very similar for most manual micromanipulators.

Five Factors That Affect the Pulling of Glass Micropipettes

Pulling micropipettes or microelectrodes is a science and an art, requiring some finesse. Here we discuss the five major factors which can affect the shape of a pulled glass micropipette or microelectrode.

VIDEO: How to Extend the Life of Your Micromanipulator

Manual micromanipulators are common equipment in a laboratory, and with proper care and handling they should last many years. Here's a few tips on how to take care of your new manipulator.

How to Adjust for Mechanical Drift in an M3301 Manual Micromanipulator

Over time, you may experience mechanical drift in one or more of the axes of your manual micromanipulator. Here we show you how to adjust for that. The process is similar for other styles of manual micromanipulators. We will look at the process for adjusting all three axes of a KITE micromanipulator.

VIDEO: How to Mount an M3301 Micromanipulator on a Tilt Base

M3301 is a popular manual micromanipulator at WPI. These manipulators are typically mounted on a stand or table to ensure stability. In this video we show you how to mount the manipulator on an Tilt Base (WPI# M-3) with a WPI# 5464 5 lb. weighted base.

VIDEO: How to Adjust for Mechanical Drift in a KITE Manual Micromanipulator

Over time, you may experience mechanical drift in one or more of the axes of your manual micromanipulator. Here we show you how to adjust for that. The process is similar for other styles of manual micromanipulators. We will look at the process for adjusting all three axes of a KITE micromanipulator.

Magnetic Stands for Micromanipulators Give You an Extra Hand

Magnetic stands act as an invaluable extra hand around the laboratory to hold an electrode, digital dials or tools. The base houses a strong magnet which can be activated by turning the switch. Position the magnetic stand on a weighted steel base plate or metal desk and rotate the dial counter-clockwise to engage the magnet. We offer multiple styles of magnetic stands, but these videos show a couple options.

Pre-Pulled Micropipettes, Perfect for Closed Container Integrity Testing

WPI pre-pulled pipettes (MicroTips) are a popular choice for pharmaceutical companies carrying out CCIT (Closed Container Integrity Testing). Each MicroTip is individually tested and inspected and can be shipped with a certificate of compliance.

Microinjection Tool Box

The system depicted includes components often favored by researchers:

  1. MICRO-ePUMP Pneumatic PicoPump with built in MICRO-ePORE™ Cell Penetrator to facilitate microinjections
  2. SU-P1000 Micropipette Puller
  3. M4C Stand
  4. M3301R Micromanipulator
  5. PZMTIII Microscope with Optional Lighted Base with Articulating Mirror and optional PRO-300 HDS Camera and View Screen
  6. E2XX  Micropipette Storage Jar
  7. Z-MOLDS Microinjection and Transplantation Molds
  8. 14003-G Vannas spring scissors
  9. Glass Capillaries
  10. 77020 Glass Tweezers
  11. FluoroDish Optical Grade Glass Bottom Culture Dishes

 

Instruments for Zebrafish Research - Oocytes, Embryos, Larvae and Adults

World Precision Instruments (WPI) offers a broad range of research instruments for zebrafish (Danio Rerio) research, from the time the genetics of the subject are modified through the point where the physiological effects of the change are monitored. Whether researchers are performing microinjection or making cardiovascular measurements, the WPI product line includes instruments for research on oocytes, embryos, larvae and adult zebrafish.

Affordable New Injector: Setup the PV850 System

The PV850 Injector is designed to simplify intracellular injection and a variety of other microinjection tasks. The PV850 uses regulated air pressure for injecting cells with fluid. Injected volumes range from picoliters to nanoliters. The port supplies positive pressure for high-pressure ejection maximum of 87 PSI.

Affordable New Injector: Configure the PV850 Software

The PV850 Injector is designed to simplify intracellular injection and a variety of other microinjection tasks. The PV850 uses regulated air pressure for injecting cells with fluid. Injected volumes range from picoliters to nanoliters. The port supplies positive pressure for high-pressure ejection maximum of 8 7PSI.

VIDEO: Setting up the WPI PicoPump

Designed to simplify intracellular injection and a variety of other micro­in­jec­tion tasks, WPI’s PicoPumps (PV830 and PV820) use precisely regulated pres­sures for se­cur­ing cells and injecting them with fluid. Injected volumes range from picoliters to nanoliters. Separate ports supply positive and negative pressure—pos­i­tive pressure for high-pressure ejection, and suction for supporting the cell or for filling the pipette from the tip. In this quick series, you can see how to setup a PicoPump.

How to Retrieve a Post that Slipped Inside an SP/SPLG Syringe Pump

It is not difficult to retrieve the syringe post that has slipped inside the SP or SPLG syringe pump.

Popular UMP3 Injector is Not Your Ordinary Syringe Pump

The UMP3 UltraMicroPump is easy to configure using the SMARTouch interface. It is pre-programmed for popular microsyringes and allows for user-defined syringe parameters, too. This ensures nearly universal compatibility. You can control up to two pumps, either simultaneously or independently, and the optional foot switch means hands-free operation. You can instantly verify actual injection volume on the graphical display. You can even use the touch screen while wearing gloves.

VIDEO: Protect Cell Survival and Improve Research Results with Fluorodishes Cell Culture Dishes

WPI's FluoroDish™ tissue culture dishes provide exceptional imaging quality for many applications requiring the use of inverted microscopes such as high-resolution image analysis, microinjection and electrophysical recording of fluorescent-tagged cells. We have a 50 mm diameter dish and two types of 35 mm diameter dishes.

VIDEO: Sensor Calibration for WPI's TBR4100 Free Radical Analyzer (NO, HPO & H2S)

When using a TBR Free Radical Analyzer, accurate measurements of an analyte requires an accurate calibration. The calibration of nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen sulfide sensors is similar. WPI oxygen and glucose sensors require different methods which will not be discussed here.

 

Versatile Microinjection Syringe Pump (UMP3T) for Injections in the Nanoliter to Milliliter Range

The UltraMicroPump3 is a versatile microinjection syringe pump designed to support the needs of a busy lab. The UMP3 Microinjector is suitable for delivery of media from nanoliters to milliliters. the UMP3 injecotor’s user interface and system design enables delivery of highly accurate and repeatable injections. The choice for thousands of scientists, it is widely cited in research papers.

VIDEO: 7 Reasons to Love the New EVOM3 for TEER Measurement

The NEW EVOM3 Epithelial Volt/Ohm Meter delivers improved workflow efficiency, increased stability and more repeatable measurements than traditional Trans Epithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) meters. Here are seven things you will love about the new EVOM3.






Significance of Transepithelial/ Transendothelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) Measurement in Lung In vitro Models 

Epithelial and endothelial cells are known for their barrier function like selective permeability. Lung tissue is comprised of epithelial cellular layers, residing adjacent to endothelial layers and allowing exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between lung and blood. Currently, the biomedical research community’s major focus area is to understand the details of the infection caused by this novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or by similar viruses. This new virus can disrupt the lung’s normal cleaning ability to get rid of foreign particles in the lung, and the selective permeability or barrier function of the lung may become severely impaired. The adverse physiological effect may be sustained once the inflammatory cascade is initiated.

Genetic Transfer (viral or non-viral vector) Using Microprocessor-Controlled Injector

With the first approved human gene therapy trial in 19891 (Rosenberg, et.al.), gene therapy has come a long way in modern medicine and is making inroads in clinics and the market in general.2,3 2017 was an important year for gene therapy when Luxurna, the first human gene therapy drug for an inherited retinal dystrophy, was approved by Food and Drug Administration (USA).