What is vortex mixer in microbiology?

A vortex mixer, or vortexer, is a simple device used commonly in laboratories to mix small vials of liquid. It consists of an electric motor with the drive shaft oriented vertically and attached to a cupped rubber piece mounted slightly off-center.

Why do we vortex in DNA extraction?

Vortexing with phenol (sometimes heated) is often effective for breaking down protienacious cellular walls or viral capsids. The addition of a detergent such as SDS is often necessary to remove lipid membranes. DNA associated proteins, as well as other cellular proteins, may be degraded with the addition of a protease.

Can you vortex cells?

Vortexing of cells may well damage them, but the amount of damage and the amount of cells damaged by vortexing is very much dependent on the cell type. We however never vortex cells as our primary cell are quite sensitive to mechanical stress.

What is Pulse vortex?

Pulse vortexing is a very brief vortex for just giving a pulse. It is done only for mixing. Longer vortexing can damage and even fragment genomic DNA since it is fragile.

Is it OK to vortex cells?

Vortexing of cells may well damage them, but the amount of damage and the amount of cells damaged by vortexing is very much dependent on the cell type. Certain cells do not mind a short round of vortexing (also dependent on the speed!).

What is vortex formation in mixing?

Vortex formation in a stirred-tank improves the sinkability of powders in liquids and consequently allows the mixing of powders in liquids to form higher solids content dispersions and solutions.

What is the advantage of a vortex pump?

The benefit of a vortex impeller over a channel impeller is the minimised risk of clogging. A vortex impeller is also a better choice when the pumped liquid has a high content of sand. The efficiency of a pump with a vortex impeller is typically lower than a pump with a channel impeller.

Is vortex centrifugal force?

The centrifugal force generated within the vortex is related to the tangential velocity. This means that separation can be enhanced through increasing the tangential velocity, but this will increase the energy demands and headloss of the system.