Appleton Woods Shortlisted for Sustainability and Automation Awards at Lab Innovations 2022

As Lab Innovations approaches its 10-year anniversary, we were delighted to receive the news that two of our innovative and ground-breaking products have been shortlisted for awards!
Read on to find out more about the awards Appleton Woods have been nominated for, as well as our previous Lab Innovations successes…

Previous Awards

“Most Impactful Emerging Technology Award”

2 years in a row Appleton Woods were elated to have won the award for the ‘Most Impactful Emerging Technology’. Firstly, in 2019 for the state-of-the-art BioEcho kits which allows a significant reduction in plastic usage in molecular biology workflows and then secondly, for the synthetic ‘Peptigels’ from our partners Manchester Biogel.

Bio Echo Kits

Using the DNA extraction kits from Bioecho is the easiest way to be green in the lab and to use less plastic! The Bioecho range of products uses up to 70% less plastic and no harmful chemicals that require disposal, yet they still achieve fantastic yields of quality DNA in a reduced time

The plastic waste and liquid waste of an EchoLUTION DNA extraction kit (below, right) and a corresponding silica-based kit (below, left) were collected for comparison.
50 DNA extractions each were performed according to the supplier’s protocols. Using the BioEcho EchoLUTION kit results in up to 70 % less plastic waste when compared with the silica-based bind-wash-elute kit.

‘Peptigels’

Last year, Manchester Biogels synthetic ‘Peptigels’ were the star of the show and caused a great buzz at the Awards ceremony with attendees and exhibitors alike wanting to know more about what this product offers.

Peptigels are designed for use in both 2D and 3D cell culture and specifically designed with a range of mechanical properties and chemical functionalities to mimic the native cellular micro-environment to allow growth of any cell type. The fact that they’re synthetic means you won’t see any batch-batch variation and therefore can expect consistent results each time. They’re ready to use, convenient and animal-free so much more sustainable (as well as kinder to our furry friends)!

Appleton Woods - PeptiGel manchester Biogel

Shortlisted awards for this year!

“The Sustainable Laboratory” award recognises the progress made towards Net-Zero and sustainability in the lab.

appCYCLE 2.0

The last part of the puzzle; recycling, has always been difficult in science, with some schemes being very limited both in terms of the products they could accept and being tied to single manufacturers. With the appCYCLE 2.0 those days are over – there is now no reason not to recycle your dry, laboratory plastic waste!

The original appCYCLE accepted gloves, tip boxes, and face masks, crucially, from any supplier which was a step up from other schemes available. The feedback on this scheme from customers was excellent but it always came with the same questions:

Can you accept any other lab waste?
Can you recycle non-hazardous plastic from ANY manufacturer?
Do you offer larger boxes as the 100L fills up quite quickly in large labs?

The answer to all those questions is now YES!

Appleton Woods now has a My Green Lab Ambassador!, Appleton Woods now has a My Green Lab Ambassador!

Click here to find out more!

The appCYCLE 2.0 can accept ANY dry plastic laboratory waste providing it is non-hazardous and it can now be decanted from your 100L box into a 1000L hopper housed in your Goods In area. This is a game-changer in laboratory sustainability and several large organisations have already embraced the scheme as well as ‘My Green Lab’ who’s main mission is to increase sustainability around the world by raising awareness for its members here in the UK.

appCYCLE 2.0 main features:

Accepts gloves, masks and ANY dry plastic lab waste

Available in two sizes- 100 and 1000L

Accepts waste from ANY manufacturer

Your waste can be turned into furniture and garden products!

A tree will be planted for every purchase

“The Lab Automation Award” celebrates innovation in the field of automation and data systems.

flowbot ONE

Why choose automation? Manual work in the lab is tedious and many hours can be spent pipetting. Automation can offload the stress of continuous pipetting so time can be spent doing more valuable lab work! Plus long hours spent pipetting can lead to RSI which can lead to human error.
So what now? With an ever-greater focus on liquid handling automation in laboratories of all types, it was important for us to ensure our product offering evolves as well. Here at Appleton Woods, we are delighted to offer the flowbot ONE from Flow Robotics.

The flowbot ONE is a flexible and intuitive liquid handling pipetting robot that can be used for a variety of different applications such as; PCR, NGS or ELISA preparation. The flowbot ONE’s point and click software allows users to program and automate their processes with ease. We are now also offering the flowbot ONE with a new UV-C and HEPA filter features which is ideal for more sensitive applications. We also have a range of pre-made bundle packages for those working with PCR, qPCR and NGS, complete with a pre-configured unit and all the consumables and reagents you need.

flowbot ONE’s main features:

Higher precision and accuracy. Reducing the rate of human error

User friendly point and click software so you can automate your workflow in minutes

Less time spent pipetting, means more time for great science!

Now comes with a UV-C and HEPA filter options

We are proud to have been nominated for such prestigious awards at Lab Innovations 2022, and look forward to sharing the winning news with you!

Although we won’t be exhibiting at Lab Innovations we will still be attending, so get in touch with us today if you would like arrange a meeting (in person or via teams)

Contact Atqiya, our Product Development Executive!

I am pleased to support Appleton Woods partnership with ZEISS. I recently purchased from Appleton Woods a ZEISS Axiolab 5 compound microscope with a range of bright field and phase contrast objectives and a camera attachment. The service has been excellent. This included a prompt home demonstration by a very knowledgeable representative who also provided some very practical advice with regards to ZEISS objectives.

Dr John S. NoyesScientific Associate

Our account manager Harriet has always been extremely helpful and proactive, helping supply critical items where others have failed. The service is extremely friendly and I always feel the matter is being dealt with behind the scenes, so no need to chase. Always available and responsive to any enquiries we have. Reliable delivery dates in an extremely difficult time for logistics, due to COVID-19, Brexit, and many other factors. Would always be happy to recommend Appleton Woods to other companies in the industry for lab consumables and equipment.

AdamProcurement Officer

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have found Appleton Woods to be extremely responsive and reactive to the needs of the University, which is greatly appreciated. Appleton Woods were especially supportive in providing essential supplies for the University PPE Store at a time when it was needed the most.

E. CorkishPurchasing ManagerUniversity of Oxford

I have been ordering from Appleton Woods for a number of years now after our lab started using their molecular reagents. Pricing of most items is very competitive, and delivery has usually been exceptionally quick, even for quite large orders. The local sales reps are also very helpful and responsive, and frequently pay us visits to check on our needs. I will certainly be continuing to order from Appleton Woods.

Dr D. ClarkSenior Research Officer University of Essex

I have been dealing with the company Appleton Woods for several years now and have been extremely satisfied with their level of service. The local representative regularly makes contact with various members of the department with information on new products and special offers that he considers would be of interest and I also receive email updates for circulation. Quotations are sent promptly and orders dealt with efficiently with personal follow ups to ensure we are satisfied with the products. I look forward to a continued association with the company.

T. ClarkeChief TechnicianOxford

Appleton Woods is always the first company I consult when ordering laboratory equipment or consumables. They stock an extensive range of products to suit all needs at prices for every budget. Having liaised with both the customer services team and sales representatives I can say they are always professional, knowledgeable and happy to help. Delivery of items is always very prompt and their regular e-newsletter provides updates of the latest offers and product information. I would definitely recommend this company

Dr R. DavidResearcherLondon

I have been happily working with Appleton Woods for over 7 years in the capacity of laboratory manager encompassing the role of procurement of laboratory consumables and equipment. The product range has always met my needs; there are usually different brands/manufacturers available which either cater for specific needs or small equipment to fit with the available funds - pertinently they offer a much needed budget priced range of items. I have always found them competitive on pricing, which along with their attention to detail, good communication and prompt response time makes them a personal preferred supplier

Alex MartinLab ManagerLondon

The fact that I've been dealing with Appleton Woods for many years says it all - I've never felt the need to take my business elsewhere. The company sells quality products at competitive prices and the service is very reliable. The staff are well informed, helpful and friendly. An excellent organisation

S. ButlerTechnicianOxford

I have found that Appleton Woods are able to provide a wide range of laboratory consumables and equipment at competitive prices. The staff are always very friendly, helpful, and quick to respond to requests. Their reliability means that they are often a first port of call when we need to source new items

K. LangfordResearch TechnicianManchester

Appleton Woods provides an extensive range of laboratory consumables and equipment - both large and small - and on request they make every effort to source spares and replacement parts. The customer service is excellent and the local representative extremely helpful, professional and quick to respond to queries and requests. In addition, Appleton Woods listens to and acts upon customer feedback. This company is on my list of top suppliers of good quality, competitively priced laboratory goods.

Dr S. ShawcrossUniversity of Manchester

Appleton Woods is one of my favourite companies to deal with. The sales staff are always friendly and efficient, providing us with competitive prices on a quote tailored to our needs, as well as regular communication about all current offers, which we have often taken advantage of. Our area sales manager is extremely helpful, sourcing many consumable items for us in the past and is a pleasure to deal with. I would definitely recommend using this company.

J. WoodSenior Technician Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool

Overall, very pleasant to deal with. Very efficient and competitively priced. I would always recommend this company to anyone.

Dr K. ChamInstitute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool

Appleton Woods have supplied my lab with a wide range of quality consumables and equipment at competitive prices for many years now and the fact that we continue to use them speaks volumes

J. RobinsonSenior TechnicianInstitute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool

I've been using Appleton Woods for purchasing laboratory consumables and equipment for a number of years now. The reasons for this are quite simple; an excellent local sales representative who has an in depth knowledge of products, who is always available by telephone or e-mail when further information is required for a particular product and when quotations are required. In addition, prices are competitive and delivery is prompt. Overall, an excellent service. I would definitely recommend this company!

Dr D. HowarthTechnician

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