Amid the thousands of researchers, doctors, clinics, and laboratories working daily to develop vaccines for diseases and viruses, like the recent H1N1 virus (Swine Flu), it’s easy to forget how greatly the success of this process depends on having consistent, reliable, and innovative equipment.

An abnormally large request for our laboratory incubators recently came in due to the outbreak of the H1N1 virus. “When I heard of the H1N1 virus crisis in Mexico, I e-mailed my distributors there to let them know that we had units available for immediate delivery.  One of my top dealers, Labtech, has placed an order for all of our on-hand laboratory incubators – over 23 units to be shipped directly to Mexico City at the center of the crisis.” says Rudy Navarro, Latin American Sales Manager.

The incubators, which control environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, are used for the culture of viruses, bacteria, and tissue. This equipment is vital for researching the virus strains, sensitivity to anti-viral compounds, and development of vaccines.  The urgency placed on a vaccine development for the H1N1virus is in large part due to the upcoming Fall flu season, when “the second wave is very likely.” According to Christian E. Sandrock, MD, MPH, deputy health officer of Yolo County in Sacramento, CA, speaking at the American Thoracic Society International Conference (ATS 2009).

Check out all of our SHEL LAB General Purpose or Laboratory Incubators here