SubscribeWatson-Marlow: Flies Ahead in Genetic Research
With ongoing, reliable dispensing paramount to Cambridge University's Department of Genetics research, the department turned to Watson-Marlow Bredel to provide an effective dispensing pump, used to prepare food for its Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies.
624Di/L Peristaltic Pump
In the laboratory environment, accuracy and reliability is critical. This is the place of scientific breakthroughs and developments for the future, bringing hope to the millions of people who depend on research work. In such a critical situation, all equipment used must be reliable and efficient.
With this in mind, Cambridge University turned to Watson-Marlow Bredel's 624Di/L peristaltic pump to provide a suitable solution for dispensing the food used to feed the Drosophila melanogaster fruit-flies, which form an integral part of the research programme at the Department of Genetics.
Fruit flies have been used in scientific research for almost a century and are of great importance in the study of human health.
Food Dispensing Pump for Fruit Fly Research
Feeding frenzy
Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies are relatively easy to keep and handle in large numbers, however feeding needs to be regular, and with up to 80 litres of hot, viscous food to be pumped and dispensed each day, the pump used needs to be up to the job.
Made up of cornflour, agar, glucose and yeast, to list just a few ingredients, the food forms a heavy, thick substance. In response to the challenge posed, Watson-Marlow Bredel specified its 624Di/L dispensing pump to perform this function.
The pump is used to dispense the fly food from a steam kettle in which it is cooked, into vials containing doses of between 10 and 15 millilitres, as well as into bottles containing around 50 millilitres of food ready for feeding.
Marprene tubing was recommended for use within this application due to its ability to withstand the high temperature of the fly food when it is dispensed. Pumped at about 80oC, the food increases in viscosity towards the end of the batch as it cools. As it sets it can adhere to the wall of the tubing and it is important that it can be easily flushed out to avoided blockages.
"The fly food is a demanding substance with a porridge-like texture," explains John Roote, Genetics Department, Cambridge University. "Ours' is the largest fly lab in Europe. We need to pump up to 80 litres of fly food each day, over a three hour period, so the pump needs to be able to handle this challenging substance."
Reliable and easily maintained peristaltic pump
The peristaltic pump action is low-shear and smooth, created by compressing the tube between rotating rollers. The restitution of the tube from this compression creates a vacuum, drawing the product through the tubing.
This process requires no seals or valves that could clog or leak, and the pumped fluid is totally contained within the tube, separated from the pumphead. Further benefits of the peristaltic design to Cambridge University Genetics Department are that the fly food is kept contaminant free and that the pump is easily maintained.
Generating Success
Impressed by the capabilities of the Watson-Marlow Bredel 600 series pump in this application, Cambridge University has since opted to introduce a second dispensing pump into the laboratory.
"We opted for a second Watson-Marlow pump to use in the feeding process simply because we were so pleased with the performance and capabilities of the first," explains John.
"The role of these pumps is extremely demanding and they easily cope with the challenge, providing a hassle free solution for feeding the flies. We would definitely choose them again in the future."