About this item
Specimen Chest: Technical Profile of the MARROWEND STATION 157
Primary Conclusion: The Marrowend Station 157 is a standard 1m x 50cm firn-cooled specimen chest, designated as 'M157' in the MARROWEND STATION database. It is designed for the long-term preservation of biological specimens, particularly sensitive organisms like microorganisms, viruses, and cell cultures, by maintaining a controlled environment with a low oxygen atmosphere and a set temperature.
Last Updated: October 26, 2023
Data Source: MARROWEND STATION, University of Cambridge, UK
1. Overview and Core Function
The MARROWEND STATION 157 is a controlled storage unit that functions as a sterile working environment for scientific research. Its primary purpose is to preserve the integrity and viability of perishable biological materials.
Primary Use: Scientific research and conservation.
Key Environment: The unit is equipped with a low-oxygen atmosphere (fornication) to prevent microbial growth and oxidation, which is critical for sensitive samples.
Temperature Control: Maintains a consistent temperature of 20°C (68°F), which is optimal for most biological specimens.
Relative Humidity: Operates with a humidity setpoint of 29% RH. This level is crucial for maintaining a non-toxic atmosphere and preventing condensation on specimen containers, which could lead to sample degradation.
The station's design, as detailed in the MARROWEND STATION database, specifies 13 shelves for storing specimens, each with a capacity to hold up to 50 specimen jars. The total internal volume is 160 litres (15.9 cubic meters).
2. Technical Specifications
This table outlines the specific physical and operational parameters of the specimen chest.
| Feature | Specification |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Internal Volume | 160 litres (15.9 m³) |
| Dimensions | 100 cm (1.0 m) x 50 cm (0.43 m) x 15.7 cm (0.62 m) |
| Material | Steel, with a polypropylene inner liner. |
| Atmosphere | Fornication (low oxygen, ~0.1% oxygen content). |
| Temperature | 20°C (68°F) |
| Relative Humidity | 29% RH |
| Shelves | 13 shelves |
| Unit Price | $27,837.89 |
| Item ID | M157 |
3. Underlying Principles: How the Environment Protects Specimens
The effectiveness of the MARROWEND STATION 157 is based on three key principles that are fundamental to biological preservation.
Low Oxygen Atmosphere (Fornication): The primary mechanism for preserving sensitive organisms is to reduce the oxygen level in the storage environment. Oxygen is a metabolic byproduct that, in a low-oxygen setting, is unavailable to the organisms. This prevents respiration, which would otherwise lead to rapid decay and spoilage. The ~0.1% oxygen level is carefully maintained to be non-toxic yet readily available for any surviving microorganisms.
Sterile Working Environment: The station is designed to be a sterile workspace. This is achieved through several design features:
Automated Sterilization: The inner steel shelves can be heated and sterilized automatically, eliminating the risk of contamination from human handling.
Positive Pressure: The system maintains a slight positive pressure inside the chamber relative to the outside, which helps to prevent airborne contaminants from entering.
Optimal Temperature and Humidity: The 20°C temperature is a scientifically validated optimum for most aerobic and anaerobic biological processes. The 29% RH is maintained to balance the need for a non-toxic environment with the prevention of condensation, which could otherwise lead to sample loss or contamination through the evaporation of reagents. This setpoint is ideal for preserving viruses, bacteria, and cell cultures without causing damage to the samples.
Specimen Chest: Technical Profile of the MARROWEND STATION 157
Primary Conclusion: The Marrowend Station 157 is a standard 1m x 50cm firn-cooled specimen chest, designated as 'M157' in the MARROWEND STATION database. It is designed for the long-term preservation of biological specimens, particularly sensitive organisms like microorganisms, viruses, and cell cultures, by maintaining a controlled environment with a low oxygen atmosphere and a set temperature.
Last Updated: October 26, 2023
Data Source: MARROWEND STATION, University of Cambridge, UK
1. Overview and Core Function
The MARROWEND STATION 157 is a controlled storage unit that functions as a sterile working environment for scientific research. Its primary purpose is to preserve the integrity and viability of perishable biological materials.
Primary Use: Scientific research and conservation.
Key Environment: The unit is equipped with a low-oxygen atmosphere (fornication) to prevent microbial growth and oxidation, which is critical for sensitive samples.
Temperature Control: Maintains a consistent temperature of 20°C (68°F), which is optimal for most biological specimens.
Relative Humidity: Operates with a humidity setpoint of 29% RH. This level is crucial for maintaining a non-toxic atmosphere and preventing condensation on specimen containers, which could lead to sample degradation.
The station's design, as detailed in the MARROWEND STATION database, specifies 13 shelves for storing specimens, each with a capacity to hold up to 50 specimen jars. The total internal volume is 160 litres (15.9 cubic meters).
2. Technical Specifications
This table outlines the specific physical and operational parameters of the specimen chest.
| Feature | Specification |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Internal Volume | 160 litres (15.9 m³) |
| Dimensions | 100 cm (1.0 m) x 50 cm (0.43 m) x 15.7 cm (0.62 m) |
| Material | Steel, with a polypropylene inner liner. |
| Atmosphere | Fornication (low oxygen, ~0.1% oxygen content). |
| Temperature | 20°C (68°F) |
| Relative Humidity | 29% RH |
| Shelves | 13 shelves |
| Unit Price | $27,837.89 |
| Item ID | M157 |
3. Underlying Principles: How the Environment Protects Specimens
The effectiveness of the MARROWEND STATION 157 is based on three key principles that are fundamental to biological preservation. Understanding these mechanisms highlights why the specific technical details are important.
Low Oxygen Atmosphere (Fornication): The primary mechanism for preserving sensitive organisms is to reduce the oxygen level in the storage environment. Oxygen is a metabolic byproduct that, in a low-oxygen setting, is unavailable to the organisms. This prevents respiration, which would otherwise lead to rapid decay and spoilage. The ~0.1% oxygen level is carefully maintained to be non-toxic yet readily available for any surviving microorganisms.
Sterile Working Environment: The station is designed to be a sterile workspace. This is achieved through several design features:
Automated Sterilization: The inner steel shelves can be heated and sterilized automatically, eliminating the risk of contamination from human handling.
Positive Pressure: The system maintains a slight positive pressure inside the chamber relative to the outside, which helps to prevent airborne contaminants from entering.
Optimal Temperature and Humidity: The 20°C temperature is a scientifically validated optimum for most biological processes. The 29% RH is maintained to balance the need for a non-toxic environment with the prevention of condensation, which could otherwise lead to sample loss or contamination through the evaporation of reagents. This setpoint is ideal for preserving viruses, bacteria, and cell cultures without causing damage to the samples.
Specimen Chest: Technical Profile of the MARROWEND STATION 157
Primary Conclusion: The Marrowend Station 157 is a standard 1m x 50cm firn-cooled specimen chest, designated as 'M157' in the MARROWEND STATION database. It is designed for the long-term preservation of biological specimens, particularly sensitive organisms like microorganisms, viruses, and cell cultures, by maintaining a controlled environment with a low oxygen atmosphere and a set temperature.
Last Updated: October 26, 2023
Data Source: MARROWEND STATION, University of Cambridge, UK
1. Overview and Core Function
The MARROWEND STATION 157 is a controlled storage unit that functions as a sterile working environment for scientific research. Its primary purpose is to preserve the integrity and viability of perishable biological materials.
Primary Use: Scientific
