Falcon Tubes - Not Just For Liquids!

Falcon-brand centrifuge tubes are a convenient, sterile, and disposable way to store chemical solutions and other liquids, and are conveniently manufactured to fit into a number of commercially available centrifuges. This has led to their widespread use in laboratory environments, especially those of a biological nature where sterility is desired. Herein, we report alternative uses for these pervasive laboratory doohickies.

Here we use both 15 mL and 50 mL Falcon tubes for a few things, but far and away the most helpful alternative use is for simple storage. Oftentimes these tubes are used to make Tris buffers, or something equally as harmless, and then simply thrown away. Instead, we use these tubes for storage of small things that are easily lost or separated, such as screws for shaker flask holders (Figure 1) or paperclips.

Figure 1 - Shaker flask holder screw storage. (Reading that aloud makes no sense at all)

We also use these tubes for sonication of cells after hacking off the top. (Figure 2) This allows the "big tip" of our sonicator to fit near the bottom of the tube, maximizing exposure to sonicating waves. By cutting off the tube at the 30 mL mark, approximately 25 mL of cells can be effectively sonicated at a time while minimizing the risk of spillage. This also allows the user to keep subsequent rounds on ice to chill while sonicating samples.

Figure 2 - Sonication apparatus

Finally, we also use these tubes for the simple, but constant need to store pens. Falcon tubes can be especially effective because of their ability to be mounted (taped) in almost any location. This is helpful for two primary reasons. Firstly, it allows pens to be placed at the ready wherever the user desires. Secondly, it allows the user to place pens and other writing utensils in a "hidden" location, such as underneath a benchtop, so that other lab members don't easily find and steal them. (Figure 3) Unsupported data shows that 64% of lost productivity in a laboratory is a result of some jerk stealing your pen right as you need to write down a result.

Figure 3 - Pen holder, conveniently placed underneath shelving

In conclusion, we find that Falcon tubes are useful for many things other than centrifugation techniques, and will continue the investigation into their application to alternative methods.

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