While humans require oxygen to survive, there is an abundance of bacteria that do not, and in fact, bacteria are classified by their need and tolerance for it. While microaerophilic bacteria require only low concentrations of oxygen (typically 2-10%), obligate anaerobes have no requirement and display varying tolerance to it. This “tolerance” is based on how toxic oxygen is to the organism and ranges from bacteria that can only tolerate ≤ 0.5% oxygen, to those that can only tolerate atmospheric oxygen for a limited timeframe. While you might think “interesting but unrelatable”, microaerophilic and anaerobic bacteria play a huge role in our day to day lives. These bacteria are in fact the heroes (or villains), in everything from our health to our alcohol, environmental and fuel industries.
Considering this, specialized workstations are required in order to culture these fascinating species, and MSC are proud of our partnership with Baker Ruskinn – the leading manufacturer for such workstations for more than 20 years.
The Baker Ruskinn range has been specifically designed to provide the best primary isolation rates and deal with various workloads in a safe and efficient manner, and the following are their current models available.
Bugbox/Bugbox M
The bugbox was first produced over 20 years ago and has evolved over that time to be a well-loved unit for those with a smaller workload looking for a more affordable unit. The Bugbox M includes ICONIC™, the gas mixing system from Baker Ruskinn, that gives Bugbox M unparalleled oxygen control while using up to 40% less nitrogen.
| Bugbox/ Bugbox M Specifications | |
| External Dimensions (w x d x h) | 900 x 660 x 650 (mm) |
| Maximum Capacity | 270 x 90 mm plates |
| Working Capacity | 200 x 90 mm plates |
| Interlock Capacity | 10 x 90 mm plates |
| Interlock Cycle Time | 15 seconds |
| Interlock Door Operation | Manual |
| Petri Dish Holders (standard) | 3 |
| Standard Features | Optional Features and Accessories |
| Detox advanced carbon filtration system Ezee Sleeve™ direct hand entry system Energy saving fluorescent illumination Inspection spot lamp Low gas alarm Automatic humidity control Palladium indicator strips Anaerobic indicator strips Petri dish holders | Vacuum line port Gas sample port Cable gland port Internal electrical outlet Gas tank regulators and filter modules Workstation stand External docking facility for anaerobic jars Power failure back-up system Data logging connection Single Plate Entry System (SPES™) For faculative and microaerophiles, Bugbox M allows user defined control of O2 and CO2 (featuring ICONIC™) ICONIC™ allows for: O2 from 0.0% to 23.0% in 0.1% increments CO2 control from 0.1% to 30.0% in 0.1% increments O2 calibration with one touch Microaerophilic cycling, facilitating up to 4 different O2 and CO2 concentrations through a user-defined sequence of time |
Concept 400/1000 Dual
The Concept units were developed for those looking for more robust processing power and capacity.
| Concept Specifications | ||
| Concept 400/400 M | Concept 1000 Dual | |
| External Dimensions (w x d x h) | 1252 x 1025 x 797 (mm) | 2404 x 1025 x 797 (mm) |
| Working Capacity | 504 x 90 mm plates | 1008 x 90 mm plates |
| Interlock Capacity | 42 x 90 mm plates | 98 x 90 mm plates |
| Interlock Purge Time to 0% O2 | 60 seconds | 90 seconds |
| Interlock Door Operation | ||
| Petri Dish Holders (standard) |
| Concept 400/1000 | |
| Standard Features | Optional Features and Accessories |
| Single Plate Entry System (SPES™) [optional on Concept 400M] Internal HEPA to Class4/Grade A Full width internal shelf Ezee Sleeve™ ports for direct hand access 24 months warranty (only valid if year 1 service pack implemented) Detox sachet (large) Internal power sockets x 3 No bake palladium catalyst Touchscreen feature Real time O2 concentration display (with user defined threshold screen colour indicator) Rolling 3 hr display of temperature, O2 and humidity levels Humidity control (using Aquasorb humidity beads), controlled by touching the screen Temperature control (7°C above ambient to 45.0°C in 0.1°C increments) Alarm settings Light control (on/off, dimming function) | Data log (one data set per minute, each set comprises: time, date, temperature, O2 (set/actual), CO2 humidity) [standard on Concept 400M] Removable front (“pop on/pop off”, with one touch of a button) [standard on Concept 400M] Remote Monitoring/Remote Control hardware module <5ppm O2 Catalyst kit USB port (power only) Internal Monitor for Digital Microscope Vacuum port connector Gas sample port Cable gland Mutli-cable gland (up to 6 individual cables) Stand (choice of Static, Manual adjustable, Electric adjustable) Ezee Cuff™ (Gloveless and Sleeveless Hand Entry) External HEPA containment package with rubber gloves Cooling accessories (min. 15°C) Waste ports Light protective cover for workstation 41L interlock retrofit kit for Concept 400/ Concept 400M RH meter O2 meter Culture rack (wide or narrow) Culture rack (with light protection) Billups modular incubator chamber Aquasorb humidity bead packs |
| Concept 400M | |
| Standard Features | Optional Features and Accessories |
| O2 control (from 0.0% to 23.0% in 0.1% increments) CO2 control (from 0.1% to 30.0% in 0.1% increments) Data log (one data set per minute, each set comprises: time, date, temperature, O2 (set/actual), CO2 humidity) Removable front (“pop on/pop off”, with one touch of a button) Intelligent interlock (automatically sets O2 level to the same level as the main chamber) | Single Plate Entry System (SPES™) Steam Humidity System |
Contact your local MSC sales rep for more information.
