What is a Lyophilizer?
A lyophilizer is an instrument used for freeze-drying. Freeze-drying, also called lyophilization, is the process of dehydrating a material in order to preserve it.
How does freeze-drying work?
Samples are placed in the lyophilizer in a plastic bag. The samples are frozen and then the pressure is reduced in the lyophilizer to allow the frozen water in the samples to change directly from a solid to a gas. The process of a substance transitioning directly from solid to a gas is called sublimation.
How does freeze-drying work?
Samples are placed in the lyophilizer in a plastic bag. The samples are frozen and then the pressure is reduced in the lyophilizer to allow the frozen water in the samples to change directly from a solid to a gas. The process of a substance transitioning directly from solid to a gas is called sublimation.
What is it used for?
Freeze-dried Ulva lactuca samples,
a green leafy seaweed found
in our marshes.
At the Sotka Lab, scientists use the lyophilizer to preserve seaweed samples used for their research.
Seaweeds, such as Ulva lactuca, are collected in the mudflats outside the Sotka Lab. This particular kind of algae is used for feeding assays.
Seaweeds, such as Ulva lactuca, are collected in the mudflats outside the Sotka Lab. This particular kind of algae is used for feeding assays.
Summertime and the Lyophilizer
Scientists out in the field collecting seaweed samples.
When we think of summer time, we often think of daily outings to the beach or out on the marsh kayaking or boating, right? The sun is shining and the water is nice and warm. It's the perfect condition to be out and about. Scientists at the Sotka Lab also go outside in the marsh and mudflats daily. However, they are on a mission: to collect as much Ulva lactuca that they possibly can.
During the summer, this seaweed disappears. It may be due to temperature change or just that there are more plant-eating herbivores. An abundant amount of animals in our marsh love to eat this seaweed. Because scientists need seaweed to run their research experiments all year, they must collect as much seaweed as possible before it is all eaten up!
During the summer, this seaweed disappears. It may be due to temperature change or just that there are more plant-eating herbivores. An abundant amount of animals in our marsh love to eat this seaweed. Because scientists need seaweed to run their research experiments all year, they must collect as much seaweed as possible before it is all eaten up!