A simple and efficient method for obtaining urine samples from rats

A method for collection of urine from rats was developed that is simple, reliable, and efficient. A 5 ml. polystyrene beaker is placed over the urethra and the base of the tail is stimulated with the fingers of one hand. Depending on the quality and quantity of urine needed the perineal area may be shaved and the beaker may be held by hand or attached with tape.     

A simple device for collecting root exudates chromatographic studies

Plant and Soil - A simple apparatus is described for the collection of root exudates at different intervals without disturbing the root system of the seedling.     

A simple and inexpensive tonometry system for use with microlitre blood samples

The construction of a blood tonometering system based on the vibrating action of a firebell is described. Its performance has been assessed with human blood at 37 degrees C and in use with Antarctic fish blood (Pagothenia borchgrevinki) at -1.5 degrees C.     

A simple device for intubation of rats

Endotracheal intubation of rats is often necessary for lengthy survival surgeries, but the animal's small size and the lack of suitable equipment may complicate the procedure. The authors describe the construction and use of a simple device for the easy intubation of rats, requiring no expensive, specialized equipment.     

A simple, reliable and inexpensive method for the collection of rat urine.

Aluminum foil attached to the bottom of hanging-type rat cages approximately 10 cm from the front of the cage was used for collecting rat urine. Most urine samples were obtained within 1 hour of placing the rat in the cage.     

A simple, inexpensive electroelution device for the recovery of nucleic acid fragments from agarose gels

A simple, inexpensive apparatus for the electroelution of nucleic acids is described. It is constructed from disposable supplies commonly found in molecular biology laboratories.     

A simple and inexpensive alternative to shell freezing for rapid lyophilization of aqueous samples

Aqueous samples containing labile substances are rapidly lyophilized after the frozen solutions are crushed in Nalgene plastic bottles. Lyophilization time compares favorably with shell-frozen samples, and samples remain frozen at all times.     

A simple and inexpensive dot-blotter for immunoblotting

The concept of specific binding of an antibody to an antigen can be understood easily through immuno-blotting experiments. For dot blotting the protein samples on a membrane, dot-blotters or filtration manifolds are necessary. However, such pieces of apparatus are complex, fragile and expensive. We report the simple and inexpensive construction and use of a dot-blotter using a magnetic rubber sheet.     

A simple, inexpensive, and precise microcell for the exchange dialysis and equilibrium dialysis of small samples

A simple equilibrium dialysis cell may be quickly prepared from common, inexpensive microcentrifuge tubes. The resulting cell is easy to use and precise enough for quantitative dialysis studies of small samples (<50 μl). In addition, by using a portion of the cell, exchange dialysis of small samples can easily be done.     

A simple and inexpensive apparatus for measuring fish metabolism

A simple, noninvasive, and economical home-made respirometer has been used to determine the standard metabolism of goldfish. The apparatus has been tested on several fishes and has proved its accuracy in determining a mass effect on standard metabolism. The apparatus can be made easily by middle school, high school, and undergraduate students and can be used to introduce them to basic concepts in animal physiology and in biological statistics.