microfuge

A microfuge, also known as a microcentrifuge, is a small, benchtop centrifuge optimized for spinning small volumes of liquid, typically in tubes ranging from 0.5 mL to 2.0 mL. These centrifuges are commonly found in molecular biology, biochemistry, and clinical laboratories. Their primary function is to separate components of a liquid sample based on their density. This is achieved by spinning the sample at high speeds, generating centrifugal force that causes denser substances to settle at the bottom of the tube while lighter substances remain in suspension or rise to the top.

Microfuges operate by placing the sample tubes into a rotor, which is then sealed within the machine. The rotor spins rapidly, creating a force many times greater than gravity. The speed of a microfuge is usually measured in revolutions per minute (RPM) or relative centrifugal force (RCF), often expressed in g-force. Different applications may require different speeds and durations of centrifugation. For example, pelleting cells or DNA often requires higher speeds and longer times than simply collecting liquid from a reaction mixture.

The compact size and relatively low cost of microfuges make them indispensable tools for numerous laboratory procedures. They are used for tasks such as collecting cell pellets from cultures, separating DNA or RNA from reaction mixtures, clarifying solutions, and concentrating samples. The simplicity of their operation and maintenance also contributes to their widespread use in research and diagnostic settings. Microfuges are designed to be user-friendly, with straightforward controls for setting speed and time.