Reagent Reservoirs: Essential Tools for Accurate Liquid Handling

In modern laboratories, precision and efficiency are critical to experimental success. Reagent reservoirs may be simple in design, but they play a vital role in ensuring accurate, repeatable liquid handling across a wide range of applications. From manual pipetting to fully automated workflows, these tools help researchers maintain consistency while minimizing waste and contamination.

What Is a Reagent Reservoir?

A reagent reservoir is a laboratory consumable designed to hold and dispense liquid reagents during pipetting. Commonly available in volumes such as 25 mL, 50 mL, 55 mL, and 100 mL, reagent reservoirs allow researchers to select the appropriate capacity based on experimental needs. They are offered in both sterile and non-sterile formats, making them suitable for aseptic workflows as well as routine laboratory use.

Why Reagent Reservoirs Matter in the Lab

Accurate liquid handling is essential for reproducible results. Reagent reservoirs provide a stable and controlled source of reagents, reducing variability during pipetting. They are fully compatible with multichannel pipettes, making them especially valuable for high-throughput applications where speed and consistency are required. In addition, reagent reservoirs are widely used in automated liquid-handling systems, where reliable reagent delivery is critical for robotic precision.

Types of Reagent Reservoirs

To meet diverse laboratory requirements, reagent reservoirs are available in several configurations:

• Disposable Reservoirs
  Designed for single-use applications, disposable reservoirs eliminate cleaning steps and significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

• Sterile and Non-Sterile Options
  Sterile reservoirs support cell culture, molecular biology, and other aseptic workflows, while non-sterile options are ideal for general laboratory procedures.

• Specialized Designs
  Reservoirs with angled walls or V-shaped bottoms help minimize dead volume, allowing for efficient reagent recovery and reduced waste.

Common Laboratory Applications

Reagent reservoirs are used across many research and clinical settings, including:

• High-Throughput Screening
  When paired with multichannel pipettes, reservoirs enable simultaneous liquid transfer across multiple wells, improving workflow efficiency.

• Automated Liquid Handling
  In robotic systems, reagent reservoirs provide a dependable reagent source, supporting consistent and reproducible pipetting.

• Serial Dilutions and Assay Setup
  Reservoirs offer a convenient vessel for mixing, diluting, and dispensing reagents with precision.

Reagent Reservoirs for Multichannel Pipettors

Reagent reservoirs are especially important when working with multichannel pipettors, where consistency across multiple channels is essential. Designed with uniform depth and wide access, multichannel-compatible reservoirs allow each pipette tip to aspirate the same volume simultaneously, reducing variability between wells.

Many reservoirs feature long trough designs and low dead-volume geometry, ensuring reliable liquid pickup even when reagent volumes run low. This helps minimize waste while maintaining accuracy throughout repetitive pipetting steps. When paired with disposable, single-use reservoirs, multichannel workflows also benefit from reduced contamination risk and faster setup times.

For laboratories performing ELISA assays, PCR setup, plate-based screening, or serial dilutions, reagent reservoirs optimized for multichannel pipettes significantly improve speed, precision, and reproducibility.

How to Choose the Right Reagent Reservoir

Selecting the appropriate reagent reservoir depends on several key factors:

• Volume Requirements – Choose a capacity that supports your assay without excessive dead volume.

• Equipment Compatibility – Ensure compatibility with manual or automated pipetting systems.

• Material and Chemical Resistance – Select materials that are compatible with your reagents to avoid leaching or chemical interactions.

Reagent reservoirs are indispensable tools for accurate and efficient liquid handling in today’s laboratories. Available in multiple sizes, designs, and sterility options, they support a wide range of applications—from routine pipetting to high-throughput and automated workflows.

At Nest Scientific, we design laboratory consumables that help researchers achieve consistent, reliable results. Choosing the right reagent reservoir is a small decision that can make a meaningful difference in the precision and efficiency of your experiments.

Nest Laboratory Bottles: Trusted Storage Solutions for Every Lab Application

Nest laboratory bottles are staple in laboratories around the world. Known for their durability, reliability, and consistent performance, our round storage bottles are trusted across pharmaceutical, academic, clinical, and industrial research environments. At Nest Scientific, we proudly offer a comprehensive range of narrow-mouth and wide-mouth laboratory bottles manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) including specialized amber bottles for light-sensitive applications.

Narrow-Mouth Bottles: Precision Pouring You Can Trust

Narrow-mouth laboratory bottles are designed for controlled, accurate pouring—making them ideal for liquid handling where spills and waste must be minimized. Every bottle comes is leakproof giving researchers confidence during storage, transport, and daily use.

Available options include:

• Rugged lab-quality bottles for demanding applications

• Lightweight, economical bottles for cost-effective storage

• Available in PP and HDPE

• Also available in opaque amber material which reduces UV light transmission, helping safeguard photosensitive reagents during storage, shipping, and packaging

The narrow-mouth design reduces splashing and evaporation, making these bottles a reliable choice for routine liquid storage and transfer.

Wide-Mouth Bottles: Easy Filling for Solids and Viscous Liquids

Nest Scientific wide-mouth laboratory bottles are used throughout laboratories worldwide. Their wider openings make them easier to fill and empty, especially when working with solid, semi-solid, or viscous materials.

Key benefits include:

• Easier access for scooping and filling

• Leakproof performance

• Available in PP and HDPE

• Also available in opaque amber material which reduces UV light transmission, helping safeguard photosensitive reagents during storage, shipping, and packaging

Wide-mouth bottles are an excellent solution when handling powders, gels, media, and thick solutions that require added accessibility.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): The Most Popular Choice

High-density polyethylene bottles are the most popular laboratory bottles due to their versatility, durability, and cost efficiency. HDPE bottles offer reliable leakproof performance, broad chemical compatibility, and excellent impact resistance down to –100°C, making them suitable for both routine and cold storage applications.

HDPE provides very good chemical resistance to a wide range of laboratory reagents, including:

• Most acids and bases

• Alcohols and aldehydes

• Esters

• Aliphatic hydrocarbons

In addition, HDPE bottles are typically lower in cost than many alternative materials, making them ideal for high-volume laboratory use.

Polypropylene (PP): Autoclavable and Cold-Resistant

Polypropylene laboratory bottles are designed to improve low-temperature performance while also withstanding high-heat sterilization. From –40°C to autoclave conditions, PP bottles are suitable for a wide range of laboratory applications where thermal flexibility is essential.

Polypropylene bottles provide excellent chemical compatibility with many commonly used lab reagents, including:

• Most acids and bases

• Alcohols and aldehydes

• Esters

• Aliphatic hydrocarbons

Because of their autoclavability and chemical resistance, PP bottles are frequently used in applications that require repeated sterilization or exposure to temperature extremes.

Premium Materials and Manufacturing Standards

Nest Scientific bottles are manufactured using high-quality plastic resins that meet pharmaceutical, laboratory, and food-grade standards. These resins are carefully selected to minimize additives and reduce the risk of potential leachables, helping maintain sample integrity.

All bottles feature:

• USP Grade VI HDPE and Polypropylene

• Production in ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001 certified facilities

• Molded and packed in ISO Class 7 cleanrooms

Certified for Safety, Purity, and Performance

Each lot of Nest laboratory bottles is rigorously tested to meet the highest quality and safety standards, including:

• Lot tested pyrogen-free (USP 85)

• Lot tested cytotoxin-free (In Vivo USP 88 and In Vitro USP 87)

• Lot tested DNase, RNase, and DNA-free

• Certified BSE/TSE-free

• Certified animal product-free

• Low particulate certification

These certifications ensure our bottles are suitable for sensitive laboratory applications, including cell culture, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical workflows.

A Reliable Choice for Modern Laboratories

Whether your lab requires precision pouring, easy filling, or space-efficient storage, Nest Scientific narrow-mouth and wide-mouth bottles offer proven performance with exceptional material quality and rigorous testing., Nest Scientific bottles are the gold standard in laboratory liquid and sample storage.

Explore the full range of laboratory bottles available at Nest Scientific and equip your lab with storage solutions you can rely on.

How Do I Choose an Injection Pen? 

Injection pens are widely used as primary drug-delivery devices for insulin, GLP-1 therapies, hormones, and biologics. For product managers and pharmacists choosing the right injection pen is a strategic decision that impacts usability, regulatory compliance, manufacturing risk, and long-term cost.

Here's a helpful guide to medical device procurement and development perspective.

1. Injection Pen Platform: Disposable vs Reusable

The first consideration when selecting an injection pen is whether a disposable or reusable platform aligns with your product strategy.

• Disposable injection pens are prefilled, single-use devices that simplify supply chains and reduce user handling errors. They are commonly used for high-volume therapies and commercial launches. Most manufacturers in the US and EU markets use disposable injection pens owing to their ease of use and greatly reduced risk of administering the wrong medication. However they do have significant cost and environmental concerns. 

• Reusable injection pens use standardized cartridges and are often selected for long-term therapies or markets prioritizing sustainability and cost reduction. Nest reusable pens are rated for 3000 cycles, ~60 year of weekly use. This lifespan while lot tested for is probably a bit long, but it's safe to say Nest pens last several years. The cost of the device can easily be amortized across several years of treatment. The cartridges can also be replaced easily by hand at low cost. In developing countries and for cost-sensitive daily drugs like insilin, the reusable pen is the model of choice. 

Buyers should consider therapy duration, regional reimbursement models, and lifecycle management when choosing between platforms.

2. Cartridge and Drug Compatibility

Nest injection pens are standardized to ISO 11608 and use a standardized 3mL cartridge called for in ISO 11608-3. 

Nest 3mL cartridges come in ready to use (RTU) tubs where the cartridges are already:

• Prewashed

• Presterilized
• Presiliconized
• Dyprogenated

3. Injection Force and Human Factors Engineering

Nest has invested significant resources to ensure Nest pens have: 

• Low and consistent injection force - less than 20N

• Ergonomic button geometry

• Predictable plunger travel

• Easy to read dosing display

4. Needle Interface and Compatibility

All injection pens including Nest are standardized to ISO 11608, a standard which also includes the double-sided pen needles - ISO 11608-3. These needles can be purchased in wholesale from medical device manufacturers but can be found at any pharmacy in the diabetes care section for a few cents each. 

These pen needle characteristics have a suprisingly large effect on how the pen perfoms:

• Needle gauge 

• Needle length
• Internal diameter of needle - Especially important for viscous formulations

5. Regulatory Compliance and Quality Systems

In the US market injection pens are a type II medical device and require an FDA 510(k) premarket approval. Both reusable and disposable Nest pens have an FDA 510(k) approval. However this is only the start that allows Nest to import and market them in the US. In most cases the drug device combination is reviewed by CDER and CDRH at the FDA. Both groups will significantly investigate the medical device manufacturer. 

Having a partner with good reguatory compliance is key:

• Design History Files

• cGMP and ISO 13485 Audits by 3rd Parties

• Design verification and validation documentation

• Change control and traceability processes

6. Commercial Scalability and Customization

When considering an injection pen it's also worth considering:

• Tooling and customization costs - The 3mL cartridges are especially difficult to fill. 

• Annual production capacity - Nest can produce 50,000 reusable and 150,000 disposable pens per day

• Manufacturers with capacity to make the cartridges and needles the pens use

• The tooling needed to aseptically fill 3mL cartridges

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Screw-Cap Microcentrifuge Tubes: Essential Tools for Modern Laboratory Workflows

Screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes are small yet indispensable tools found in nearly every modern laboratory. Used across academic research, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and clinical diagnostics, these tubes provide secure, leakproof storage for biological samples, chemicals, and reagents. As laboratory workflows become more automated and data-driven, screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes have evolved from simple storage vessels into critical components of efficient, high-throughput research.

Typically available in volumes ranging from 0.5 mL to 2.0 mL, screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes feature a threaded closure that creates a tight seal, protecting samples from evaporation, contamination, and accidental spills. Most are manufactured from polypropylene, a durable material known for its chemical resistance and stability across a wide temperature range. Their compact design supports easy labeling, stacking, and integration into automated systems, making them well suited for today’s fast-paced laboratory environments.

Why Screw-Cap Microcentrifuge Tubes Matter

In everyday laboratory practice, these tubes are commonly used to store DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, and cell samples, as well as buffers and chemical reagents. The screw-cap closure ensures sample integrity during long-term storage, freezing, centrifugation, and transport. As laboratories continue to adopt robotics and automated sample handling, screw-cap tubes are increasingly designed to fit centrifuges, storage racks, and robotic platforms improving consistency while reducing manual handling errors.

Common Applications of Screw-Cap Microcentrifuge Tubes

1. Biological Sample Preservation

Screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes are widely used for the long-term storage of sensitive biological materials such as nucleic acids and proteins. Their airtight seal helps prevent degradation caused by moisture loss or contamination, particularly during freezing or ultra-low temperature storage. In genomics and molecular biology laboratories, these tubes play a key role in maintaining sample integrity and ensuring reproducible results.

2. High-Throughput Screening and Research

In pharmaceutical and biotechnology research, screw-cap tubes support high-throughput screening by allowing precise handling of small sample volumes. Their automation-compatible design enables robotic systems to process large numbers of samples efficiently, reducing reagent waste and improving workflow consistency. This makes them ideal for drug discovery, assay development, and compound screening applications.

3. Clinical and Diagnostic Testing

Clinical and diagnostic laboratories rely on screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes for handling patient samples such as blood, saliva, and other biological fluids. The secure closure minimizes contamination risks and supports compliance with stringent laboratory standards. Reliable sample containment contributes to accurate test results, faster processing times, and improved patient care.

4. Chemical and Reagent Storage

Screw-cap tubes are also commonly used to store enzymes, buffers, and chemical reagents that require precise volume control and chemical compatibility. Polypropylene construction provides resistance to a wide range of laboratory chemicals, while the leakproof design helps prevent spills and exposure during routine handling.

5. Sample Transport and Shipping

When biological samples must be transported between facilities or research partners, screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes offer a lightweight yet durable solution. Their secure seal helps maintain sample stability during transit, making them suitable for domestic and international shipping when used in accordance with biosafety and transport regulations.

Integration Into Modern Laboratory Workflows

Screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes are designed to integrate seamlessly with centrifuges, automation platforms, storage systems, and labeling solutions. Features such as barcode compatibility, writable surfaces, and standardized dimensions support traceability and quality control. Compliance with relevant regulatory and quality standards influences material selection and manufacturing processes, ensuring safety and consistency across applications.

Buyer’s Checklist: Choosing the Right Screw-Cap Microcentrifuge Tubes

When selecting screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes for your lab, consider the following:

• Volume requirements: Choose tube sizes that match your sample volumes and workflow needs.

• Material compatibility: Ensure resistance to chemicals, freezing, heating, or centrifugation conditions.

• Automation compatibility: Confirm fit with robotic systems, centrifuges, and storage racks.

• Regulatory compliance: Verify adherence to applicable laboratory and quality standards.

• Labeling and traceability: Look for designs that support labeling or barcode identification.

Nest Scientific is a trusted manufacturer of high-quality screw-cap microcentrifuge tubes, designed to meet the evolving needs of modern research, clinical, and industrial laboratories. Manufactured from premium polypropylene in controlled cleanroom environments, Nest screw-cap centrifuge tubes deliver reliable performance across a wide temperature range and during high-speed centrifugation. With features such as leakproof O-ring sealing, automation-compatible dimensions, and multiple volume and color options, Nest Scientific combines precision manufacturing with practical design to support secure sample storage, transport, and processing. Each product is produced under strict quality standards to ensure consistency, safety, and confidence in every experiment

Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) for Cell Culture: Benefits, Uses, and Applications

Fetal bovine serum (FBS), also known as fetal calf serum, is one of the most widely used supplements in cell culture media. Trusted by academic researchers and professionals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, FBS provides essential growth factors, proteins, and nutrients that support cell growth, proliferation, and viability in vitro.

As the gold standard serum supplement for eukaryotic cell culture, FBS continues to play a critical role in biological research, biomanufacturing, and therapeutic development.

What Is Fetal Bovine Serum?

Serum is the amber-colored liquid fraction of blood that remains after coagulation. Following clot formation, the serum is further refined by centrifugation to remove residual blood cells, fibrinogens, and low-solubility proteins.

Fetal bovine serum is derived from the blood of a bovine fetus and collected using a sterile, closed-system process. Due to its unique biological composition, FBS is especially effective at supporting a wide range of mammalian cell types in vitro.

Why FBS Is Used in Cell Culture

FBS is the most commonly used serum supplement for in vitro cell culture because it provides an exceptionally rich growth environment. It supports both primary cells and established cell lines and offers advantages over adult or calf bovine serum, including:

• Higher concentrations of growth and attachment factors

• Lower levels of antibodies

• Reduced complement protein activity

• Fewer growth-inhibiting components

These characteristics help promote consistent cell growth while reducing the risk of cell lysis or immune-mediated interference.

Composition of Fetal Bovine Serum

Fetal bovine serum contains more than 1,000 biologically active components, making it one of the most complex supplements used in cell culture media. Key components include:

• Growth and cell attachment factors

• Lipids and hormones

• Vitamins and sugars for cellular energy

• Electrolytes and trace elements

• Transport and binding proteins

• Enzymes and buffering agents

• Protective factors against toxins, proteases, and pH fluctuations

This complex composition allows FBS to support cellular metabolism, proliferation, and long-term viability.

Functions of FBS in Cell Culture Media

When added to basal growth media, fetal bovine serum plays several essential roles:

• Stimulates cell proliferation and growth

• Supplies hormones and essential nutrients

• Supports cell adhesion and spreading

• Stabilizes culture conditions

• Detoxifies harmful metabolic byproducts

• Promotes consistent cell differentiation

FBS also protects cells from environmental stressors such as shear forces, proteases, toxic agents, and large pH shifts, helping maintain healthy monolayers and suspension cultures.

Applications of FBS in Research and Industry

Due to its versatility and effectiveness, fetal bovine serum is used across a broad range of research and industrial applications, including:

• Cell culture and tissue engineering

• Stem cell research

• Cell and gene therapy manufacturing

• Biopharmaceutical production

• Immunotherapy development

• Viral vector and vaccine production

• Synthetic protein expression

• Cryopreservation

• In vitro fertilization and cloning

• Animal diagnostics

FBS supports rapid, reproducible cell growth, making it essential for both discovery research and large-scale production workflows.

Advantages of FBS Over Other Bovine Sera

Compared to calf or adult bovine serum, fetal bovine serum offers several key advantages:

• Low gamma globulin content

• Higher growth factor concentrations

• Reduced complement activity

• Minimal antibody interference

These properties reduce the likelihood of cell binding, lysis, or growth inhibition, making FBS the preferred serum supplement for sensitive cell culture applications.

History of FBS in Cell Culture

The foundations of cell culture date back to 1882, when Sydney Ringer developed one of the first solutions for maintaining animal tissue in vitro. Advances in the early 20th century led to the development of synthetic basal media and stable cell lines.

In the late 1950s, Theodore Puck introduced fetal bovine serum as a supplement to enhance cellular proliferation. Researchers soon discovered that FBS also supplied essential hormones, vitamins, and growth factors necessary for cell survival and differentiation. Since then, FBS has become a global standard in cell culture laboratories.

Why Choose Fetal Bovine Serum from Nest Scientific?

For decades, fetal bovine serum has remained an indispensable tool in cell and tissue culture. Its unmatched biological complexity, consistent performance, and ability to support a wide variety of cell types make it a trusted choice for researchers worldwide.

At Nest Scientific, we understand the importance of reliable, high-quality cell culture reagents. Our fetal bovine serum is designed to support reproducible results, advanced research, and scalable bioprocessing applications.