title: Modification of a French pressure cell to improve microbial cell  disruption.
abstract: A procedure for modification of the valve stem of a 40 K French pressure cell is described. The modification should be done by a machinist and requires a metalworking lathe. After modification of the valve stem, a torlon 4203 plastic ball is used between the valve stem and valve seat to control the pressure within the cell. The torlon plastic ball is a key component needed to obtain the high pressures required for efficient disruption of microbial cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Jaschke
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: J Thomas
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Beatty
mesh_terms: D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012242:Rhodobacter sphaeroides / Q000166:cytology*