Water for Cell & Molecular Biology
Water purity is crucial in cell biology and molecular techniques as contaminants can significantly affect experimental outcomes and reproducibility. In cell culture, impurities can disrupt cell growth and function. In protein research, water quality may impact protein structure and affect enzymatic activity. Water impurities may also affect the quality of protein analysis or purification. Nucleases are often present in water and may degrade DNA or RNA samples and lead to false results in PCR and other genomic research techniques.
Understanding the impact of specific water contaminants on these sensitive techniques is critical to ensure experimental reliability and consistency. Below you will find products and information to support you in selecting the optimal water quality for your sensitive biological applications.
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Milli-Q® systems offer innovative water purification technologies engineered to support lab research needs, sustainability goals, and other major requirements.
From a single lab to an entire building, Milli-Q® central water purification systems are connected, high-performance instruments that can reliably feed all purified water needs.
Find the cartridges, UV lamps, filters and polishers for your water system. Advantages of using genuine Milli-Q consumables: guarantee water quality, sustainability features (new Drain Cap, Hg-free lamps). Designed for perfect fit.
Milli-Q® water system accessories support lab-specific needs, improving safety, water quality, and productivity while conserving bench space.
Impact of Water Quality on Cell Culture
As water is the largest component in any culture media formulation, its quality is critical for reliable and reproducible methods. Correct water quality is important when preparing cell culture media as impurities can affect media performance or cause abnormalities, such as changes in pH or color, or cause precipitates. Water should be free from substances, such as bacteria, heavy metals, endocrine disrupters, and endotoxins (pyrogens), which can effect cell growth and function. Using ultrapure water purified by ultrafiltration ensures the removal of these contaminants and supports the integrity and reproducibility of cell culture experiments.
Impact of Water Quality on Protein Research
High-purity water is crucial in protein research and proteomic studies. Water impurities can affect protein folding, stability and activity. Using optimal water purity is also essential for techniques like ELISA, Western blotting and protein purification techniques, where contaminants can compromise accuracy and lead to erroneous conclusions.
Impact of Water Quality on Genomics Research
The inherent sensitivity and specificity of many genomic techniques, such as PCR and sequencing, demands very high purity reagents. Nucleases, even in trace quantities, can degrade DNA and RNA samples, impacting processes like nucleic acid extraction, PCR, gene editing or sequencing. Organic contaminants (e.g. humic acid, polysaccharides) may mimic the structure of nucleic acids or interact with them, while inorganic contaminants, like some metals, can interact with polymerases and reverse transcriptase, compromising the results of PCR-based techniques. These sensitive techniques require the use of nuclease-free ultrapure water to prevent degradation of DNA/RNA and to maintain results reliability and consistency.
Visit our document search for data sheets, certificates and technical documentation.
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- Nuclease-free water (or PCR water) is needed in molecular biology to avoid sample degradation during PCR, sequencing, etc. Ultrafiltration provides a quicker, safer, and more sustainable alternative to DEPC treatment when preparing RNase-free and DNase-free water.
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