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The ways that cells are cultured have evolved significantly over time due to advancements in technology. Cell culture techniques were originally very limited and depended heavily on basic conditions. As research has progressed, the variety of methods for cell culture has also increased, including hypoxic workstations, and bioreactors. These advancements offer greater precision, improving experiments and facilitating a wide range of applications.
What did scientists use before hypoxic workstations?
Up until 1972, when it was discovered by Alan Richter and his colleagues, it wasn’t known that culturing certain cell types in low oxygen increased the number of cells that could successfully grow in a plastic dish. Later in 1977, Packer and Fuehr found that 10% oxygen drastically increased the lifespan of human fibroblasts.
The hypoxic chamber that we know today, with its sophisticated design and precise gas control, was not introduced until the 1990s. Prior to this, scientists would have had to manually adjust environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. This was achieved by using basic incubators equipped with temperature controls and water pans. The process of manually creating low oxygen levels, however, would have been even more complex, requiring a specific mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide to dictate the amount of oxygen. The alternative to this would be to place cells in a sealed container before flushing with nitrogen gas to displace oxygen.
What does the modern hypoxic workstation offer?
- A controlled environment: Control gases from the switch of a button
- Safety: Hypoxic cabinets provide safer working conditions for researchers
- Research flexibility: More consistent and reliable results
- Customisation: Workstations can be tailored to the individual needs of research
The Whitley Hypoxystation
The Whitley Hypoxystation is a state-of-the-art hypoxic chamber that allows for precise control over oxygen, carbon dioxide, humidity and temperature. In total, Don Whitley Scientific (DWS) offers 10 models of the Whitley Hypoxystation, each with their own set of unique advantages, all available with HEPA filtration to ensure atmospheric cleanliness. Although DWS sold their first hypoxic workstation in 2008, we have since become a staple in the field of hypoxic research, widely recognised for reliability and advanced technology.
Some applications of the Whitley Hypoxystation include:
We love seeing the endless research possibilities that the Whitley Hypoxystation provides, especially when we can help facilitate research that has the potential to treat illnesses and save lives.
If you’re interested in our hypoxic range, please view the products below or contact us at sales@dwscientific.co.uk
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