What Is a CO2 Incubator?
A CO2 incubator is a specialized device designed for cell culture under physiological conditions. Controlling temperature, humidity, and pH is crucial in cell culture, as failure to maintain these parameters can lead to cell dysfunction or death. The CO2 incubator precisely controls these conditions to support cell viability and experimentation. Its key feature is the ability to supply carbon dioxide (CO2), maintaining a constant pH in the carbonate-buffered medium.
Uses of CO2 Incubators
CO2 incubators are used to culture cells under near-physiological conditions, vital for various applications:
- In drug screening, where candidate drugs are tested on cultured cells.
- In basic biological research and gene transfer experiments, where maintaining cells under appropriate conditions is crucial for experimental success.
Principle of CO2 Incubators
The CO2 incubator maintains equilibrium between carbonate ions in the culture medium and CO2 gas in the chamber, keeping the pH near 7.4. Most cell culture media, slightly alkaline with added sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), require a CO2 concentration of about 5% to maintain this balance. The incubator uses various sensors to monitor and adjust parameters, maintaining a temperature of 37°C for mammalian cells and humidity above 95%.
Additional Information on CO2 Incubators
1. Oxygen Concentration in CO2 Incubators
Typically, CO2 incubators control CO2 but not oxygen concentration. However, multi-gas incubators or oxygen controllers retrofitted to CO2 incubators can manage oxygen levels, mimicking in vivo conditions.
2. Cleaning a CO2 Incubator
Regular cleaning of CO2 incubators is essential to prevent bacterial contamination:
- Cleaning the Chamber: Wipe interior surfaces and shelves with alcohol cotton. Remove and clean shelves with detergent and water, then dry and reinstall them.
- Cleaning Humidification Vats: Change water regularly and consider adding a preservative. Clean vats with detergent, rinse with sterile water and dry thoroughly.