Calibration Services for Research University Labs in the Life Sciences

Research universities in the life sciences are vital in advancing knowledge, training future scientists, and driving innovation in the biological sciences, biochemistry, biotechnology, environmental sciences, genetics, neuroscience, pharmacology, and microbiology. These schools must follow strict regulations to ensure laboratory personnel's safety, protect the environment, and prevent accidents. As part of these regulatory controls, research instruments and equipment require regular calibration for safe use and to ensure the integrity of experimental results. Transcat has the experience to help research university labs comply with regulations through validation and compliance services tailored to their types of test instruments and lab environments.

Specialized instruments are used for research via clinical trials, laboratory experiments, field studies, and environmental monitoring. These analytical instruments require calibration and validation for accurate, reproducible results and compliance. Here is a sampling of instruments and equipment used in common research processes.

• Sample Collection 
  Collecting clean samples is crucial in research testing to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. Sterile swabs, pipettes, spatulas, containers, and other tools are used to collect samples aseptically, especially in biotechnology testing where contamination risks are high. Transcat equipment validation services cover autoclaves, sterilizers, and depyrogenation ovens for effective sterilization and containment for compliance with biosafety regulations.
• Sample Preparation  
  Using calibrated instruments and following sample preparation protocols ensures the test results' quality, integrity, and reproducibility. Transcat Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Laboratory Validation Services cover common instruments used for the preparation of testing samples, including centrifuges, homogenizers, sonicators, pipettes, microscopes, gel electrophoresis systems, balances, scales, incubators, ovens, vacuum concentrators, lyophilization (freeze-drying), and rotary evaporation equipment.    
• Analysis 
  Instruments that analyze prepared biology samples require calibration to ensure proper functioning and accurate results. These include chromatography systems (HPLC, GC), UV-VIS spectrophotometers, osometers, TOC analyzers, dissolution bath, microscopes, gel electrophoresis systems, pipettes, pH meters, and moisture analyzers. 
   
  For physiology and biophysics testing, additional instruments requiring calibration include electrical, and pressure instruments such as tensile testers and force transducers.
• Testing Temperature Control 
  Test samples often require storage within temperature-controlled environments from simulating extreme temperatures to growing cultures. Transcat Equipment Validation Services verifies that laboratory equipment performs to the manufacturer’s specifications. This includes specialized services for incubators, stability chambers, freezers, refrigerators, and cold rooms.  
• Environmental Monitoring  
  Instruments used for environmental monitoring within test lab facilities or in the field such as temperature and humidity loggers, particle counters, and air samplers, require calibration to measure environmental parameters accurately.  
• Quality Assurance and Compliance 
  To maintain eligibility for research funding and to avoid potential legal liabilities, university laboratories involved in life sciences research must follow regulatory requirements such as the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) or the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines. These guidelines include the need to regularly validate and calibrate equipment and instruments. NEXA | EAM, a Transcat Company, provides quality management services to ease the compliance burden so that university researchers can focus on discovering new innovations in the life sciences. 

Instrument Metrology and Repair Services 
Transcat Biomedical is a leading, national provider of quality instrument metrology and repair services. Our services are available on-site or from one of our ISO 17025-accredited biomedical labs.

Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Laboratory Validation Services 
These specialized validation services provide documented evidence that your systems, facilities, and processes perform their intended functions according to specifications set by the FDA or custom protocols. Service options through NEXA | EAM, a Transcat Company, include qualification of new installations, validation, revalidation, and instrument calibration. 

Pipette Calibration and Supplies 
Transcat Pipettes offers 3–5-day turnaround for pipette calibration services and as fast as 24-hour turnaround within defined service areas. We are also a multi-brand distributor of high-quality pipettes, pipette tips, and benchtop equipment.  

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)    
NEXA | EAM, a Transcat Company, provides technical, consulting, and staffing solutions to improve asset management programs for life science labs in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. EAM services include calibration, maintenance and spares, reliability, CMMS, quality, compliance, and commissioning, qualification, and validation services. 

For more information about our accredited calibration and validation services for university life science labs, call one of our calibration professionals at 800-828-1470 or contact us.