Rocker (laboratory)

A rocker is a device used in laboratories for molecular and biological mixing applications. Rockers are often used in place of shakers when less aggressive mixing is required.

Rockers are commonly used for staining and de-staining gels after electrophoresis, hybridization,[1] washing, blotting,[2] Cell culture[3] and gentle mixing.

Two-dimensional rockers use a platform that moves in a seesaw motion to create waves in liquid laboratory samples. Three-dimensional rockers move a platform in a three-dimensional gyratory motion to create a gentle swirling of samples.

Typical features of laboratory rockers include variable speeds, and tilt angles. Rockers are often designed to accept stackable platforms or may be outfitted with multiple tiers to increase capacity without increasing the footprint.[4] Platform surfaces are usually covered with rubber pads to prevent objects from slipping during operation.

References
  1. Hybridization Protocol. Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, DNA Microarray Core Facility. Retrieved on 31 Jan 2012
  2. Western Blot Protocol. University of Idaho, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Retrieved on 31 Jan 2012
  3. Wise, Clare. (2002). "Cell culture protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology)", p.71. Humana Press, New York. ISBN 0-89603-893-9.
  4. Multi-Tier Rockers. NextAdvance.com. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
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