Regulating Temperature in the Lab: Applying Heat

Although many experimental assays are performed at room temperature (RT; ~20-25°C), it is not uncommon for experiments, or parts of experiments, to require some type of temperature regulation. This video discusses the different reasons for and temperatures at which a scientist may want to “keep things warm”. For example, sometime, cells need to be cultured in an environment close to body temperature (~37°C), protein structure needs to be modified (>56°C), or reagents and solutions need to be heated (~100°C). Also discussed, is the proper way to handle a thermometer and measure the temperature in stirring liquids. Since it is not always obvious how to regulate temperatures in the laboratory, this video will also talk about what types of equipment one might choose in each situation.

There are many ways to regulate temperature in the lab. Sometimes reagents need to be heated, cell cultures need to be maintained at specific temperatures for optimal growth, and animal body temperature needs to be regulated during or after surgical procedures. This video will take a closer look at some of the ways and reasons a scientist might want to heat things up and the specific temperatures used to warm samples and reagents.

First, it’s important to note that in common labora

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