Parafilm | What is this thing?!

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  • čas přidán 29. 11. 2017
  • What is this thing?! It's parafilm, a beloved lab staple!
    Thanks to Bemis for sending me some Parafilm, and to our summer lab students for being awesome!
    Another giant thank you to my Patreon supporters, including my amazing ribosomes:
    Marcel Ward
    Brad
    Filip
    Edgar Romero
    Armando Tamayo
    George and Diane Dainis
    Thomas Davis
    Alexandra Daly
    Don Burlone
    Tim McNally
    Damian Shaw
    Jose cruz
    Brandon C
    William Pilkington
    Kevin Hardesty
    Peter Cook
    Nick Ramos
    Reddit Parafilm Appreciation:
    / parafilm_appreciation_...
    and:
    / parafilm_fan_megathread
    Trying to document grad school one CZcams video at a time, from lab equipment to genetics lessons to interviews with other scientists! Each week is a new view into life as a grad student, and the rollercoaster that is getting a PhD.
    Twitter: @AlexDainis
    Instagram: Alex.Dainis
    Facebook: BiteSciZed
    Patreon: / alexdainis
    (All thoughts and opinions are my own and do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of my institution.)
    Thank you to DCMP for captioning! www.dcmp.org
  • Věda a technologie

Komentáře • 148

  • @SmarterEveryDay2
    @SmarterEveryDay2 Před 6 lety +115

    I didn't know this. I'm smarter today.

  • @JohnSmith-fj3uf
    @JohnSmith-fj3uf Před 2 lety +6

    Parafilm is often used to wrap plant grafts. The scion, ( dormant twig with desireable fruit or flowers) is cut at the base in a way matching the cut on the rootstock (= tree you are grafting the scion onto). the scion away from the rootstock is commonly wrapped in Parafilm with a strip a few inches long hanging free. Then the cut end is attached and the Parafilm wrapped around it to both mechanically hold the twig in place a little and prevent dehydration before the bark grows together. When the connection is made buds grow through the Parafilm. Best to have it only one layer deep with some two layer overlap and shade graft till buds
    break through so it does not overheat....Many ways to graft this is only one.

  • @azdgariarada
    @azdgariarada Před 6 lety

    Welcome back. It's always a pleasure to see your videos!

  • @mversantvoort
    @mversantvoort Před 6 lety +2

    Glad you’re back!
    I never heard of parafilm before, it seems incredibly useful in the lab.

  • @jonhowardlife
    @jonhowardlife Před 6 lety

    Yay another Alex Dainis video!!! I shall learn something awesome today!

  • @AfdhalAtiffTan
    @AfdhalAtiffTan Před 6 lety

    Thank you for the video and welcome back!

  • @matteowildfishing5066
    @matteowildfishing5066 Před 6 lety +7

    Parafilm is my antistress in the lab! I'm in love with it! :D

  • @gregzebarth4721
    @gregzebarth4721 Před 6 lety

    Nice to see you post something again. I was just going over your old videos the other day as I missed having new ones.

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety +1

      There are more new ones coming! I have a couple already filmed an on their way to being edited. Grad school has been... overwhelming lately, but my videos are coming back :)

  • @pragyaagrawal
    @pragyaagrawal Před 6 lety

    It was nice to know about a thing we use everytime in lab but knew nothing about. Thank you!

  • @luanalangloisfiorotto
    @luanalangloisfiorotto Před 6 lety

    Yayyyyy you're back! We missed you

  • @mellamobob
    @mellamobob Před 6 lety +1

    I'm a software engineer, but my mom used to work in a lab. So I love parafilm. I once used parafilm to mend a violin bow I snapped right before a concert. I still carry a folded piece of parafilm in my wallet.

  • @medcologytutorials2636

    Wow after a long time we are seeing you back.

  • @BushImports
    @BushImports Před 4 lety +1

    The only thing I've ever seen it used for is tree grafting and wrapping the buds on a cutting that is either going to be rooted or grafted to something else to keep them from drying out. I can't believe it's used to all that other stuff. I learned something ,thanks.

  • @ACEyvr
    @ACEyvr Před 6 lety

    As I was got smarter as well today!!!! Thank you so much

  • @sullivannick
    @sullivannick Před 6 lety

    I found my way here because of Smarter Every Day on Patreon. Great video - now I'm checking out your whole channel!

  • @qwmf05gcpt42
    @qwmf05gcpt42 Před 6 lety

    We missed your channel. This is what should be in CZcams rewind. I did not get this in my sub box saw from your reels video.

  • @jhongfrancisco2974
    @jhongfrancisco2974 Před 5 lety +2

    Cactus collectors love this!

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 5 lety

      Really?! How is it used? I love finding out new ways people use parafilm :)

  • @Soonjai
    @Soonjai Před 6 lety +1

    Until now I didn´t even know that Parafilm exists and I somehow already love it.

  • @alexandrastar2697
    @alexandrastar2697 Před 6 lety

    I have used this very successfully to seal perfume bottles before shipping. I make sure the crystal or glass stopper is turned well in until it stops. Then I take a Parafilm strip about 1" x 3" long, start stretching it at one end, and then holding the stretched end against the perfume bottle, slowly start winding and stretching all the time, round and round the place where the stopper and the neck meet, and even over the top and back around the neck. When I am near the end of the strip, I pull it down against the bottle so that the receiver can find the end. Magic! Even if the bottle leaks a little bit, the Parafilm holds the liquid and it doesn't escape and spoil the bottle's label. I was able to buy precut strips from Germany, but any will do.

  • @MrMawnster
    @MrMawnster Před 3 lety +1

    It's so awesome! Used to use it in the chem lab. I use it now for grafting plants too haha

  • @mcchickenandham
    @mcchickenandham Před 6 lety

    Best teacher ever!

  • @Watchman999
    @Watchman999 Před 3 měsíci

    slowly but surely I am sealing all my closed whisky bottles with an extra layer of protection using this.

  • @ElNietoPR
    @ElNietoPR Před 6 lety

    Last video I saw from you was "DNA In Space." I went to your videos and noticed you've uploaded at least two more videos!? I had no notifications. I guess I'll use that bell thingy. Can't way too see more content from you!

  • @kuronosan
    @kuronosan Před 6 lety

    The research is strong with this one.

  • @AidynNichi
    @AidynNichi Před 6 lety +3

    I love parafilm! I want to get a pack myself for home use cuz it's so handy in the lab 😂

  • @Heimsendir
    @Heimsendir Před rokem

    Hope you are well, just started using parafilm for my mycelium agar plates, so it was interesting to learn more about!

  • @snapdazzlex
    @snapdazzlex Před 6 lety

    Man how exciting - parafilm isn't cheap I reckon you saved your lab some money there ;) i love having a tiny piece and stretching it out as far as possibel!

  • @wellwithmeri8222
    @wellwithmeri8222 Před 5 lety

    That parafilm mixing trick blew.my.mind. Going to use that for my experiments now!

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 5 lety +1

      Right?! One of the other grad students in my lab showed it to me as a way to mix samples with loading buffer before electrophoresis and it blew my mind too! It also ended up saving me so many extra tubes that I was just wasting on mixing.

  • @zsoltsemperger5276
    @zsoltsemperger5276 Před 6 lety +14

    You're finally back!!!

  • @Jpriest13
    @Jpriest13 Před 3 lety +1

    Using as a clearer residue free substitute to tape for masking clear parts prior to painting for plastic models. i.e. Aircraft canopies.

  • @MG2-_-
    @MG2-_- Před 6 lety +22

    About time! You finally uploaded ... Can i get a hallelujah 😂😂

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety +15

      And there are more coming soon (for real this time!!!)

    • @MG2-_-
      @MG2-_- Před 6 lety

      Btw that book " fundamentals of cartography" is indian and sometimes the high school students have a need to refer to books of the same kind because of topography work we have to do in school.

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety +1

      Oh cool! It did seem useful!

  • @qwmf05gcpt42
    @qwmf05gcpt42 Před 6 lety

    I love your use of reels on CZcams. And I love this channel

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety +1

      Thanks! I like the idea of using reels to get more science out there :)

    • @qwmf05gcpt42
      @qwmf05gcpt42 Před 6 lety

      Alex Dainis your doing an amazing job

  • @noorazianahsandi
    @noorazianahsandi Před 3 lety

    What happen if i didnt not stretch the parafilm tape does it affect the gaseous exchange??? im using if to seal petri dish

  • @xja85mac
    @xja85mac Před 6 lety

    I once used parafilm to make a spinning top out of a pipette tip and a ceramic ring from what I think was an inductor (which came from an old computer's power supply)

  • @Mon-nom-noM
    @Mon-nom-noM Před 4 lety

    Is there an alternative for parafilm that you can use for sealing?

  • @katiecupcake101
    @katiecupcake101 Před 6 lety

    I love your videos. I am writing a novel, so your videos are so helpful!

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety

      Oh cool!!! I don’t know how my videos are novel-helpful, but I’m glad they are! Best of luck 😊

  • @apurvasharma2370
    @apurvasharma2370 Před 2 lety

    is paraflm airtight? will it prevent evaporation of solvents containing alcohol or perfumes if its used to seal the bottle?

  • @markanthonycarlovillanueva1691

    It is good for plant grafting too.

  • @DurayStuffCrafts
    @DurayStuffCrafts Před 2 lety

    Is this used for covered organic solvent in test tube after extraction ???? And is it also good to put tubes in freezer ???

  • @manp1039
    @manp1039 Před 3 měsíci

    i am curious if it is reactive to acids or alcohols(breaks down or dissolved).. or if it is non conducting of electricity

  • @felina_cosmicax
    @felina_cosmicax Před rokem

    Do you know why a number appears on the paper that cover para film?

  • @nubsack6142
    @nubsack6142 Před 2 lety +2

    I'm doing some fruit tree cloning. I went to my local garden center, asked the lady if they had Parafilm and she looked at me like I was crazy lol. Not sure where to get this stuff locally aside from buying it off amazon.

  • @applemauzel
    @applemauzel Před 3 lety +1

    Parafilm is also used in bartending alot just to prevent those pesky alcohol bottles from evaporating away.

  • @itaroxd8214
    @itaroxd8214 Před 3 lety +1

    Se usa también en los viveros de producción de plantas para envolver el injerto

  • @zerg539
    @zerg539 Před 6 lety

    Parafilm is the greatest thing for covering stuff in the lab if they made it in 18 inch wide straps I'd buy it instead of saran wrap. Also great to see a new video out of you I was starting to wonder if you had given up on youtubing

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety

      THEY DO! I didn't know it until this video: Look at the big blue box that Andrew pulls out around 1:35. That's a 20 inch wide roll!

    • @zerg539
      @zerg539 Před 6 lety

      Alex Dainis ash I missed that because I was writing the comment. Also love to see you back on the CZcams I was starting to miss your bubbly personality.

  • @kdawg2468
    @kdawg2468 Před 6 lety

    I usually just use parafilm to cover volatile chemicals so they don't evaporate away when I store them for a while. It's cool to see the uses for it in biology.

  • @doktorkoka
    @doktorkoka Před 3 lety

    Is it normal that my parafilm is separated from the protective layer? When I dispense it, it's already detached.

  • @MrMawnster
    @MrMawnster Před 3 lety

    Oh nice! maps...so kind of like the laminating of paper things with plastic teacher do in school~!

  • @pseudophd1073
    @pseudophd1073 Před 6 lety +3

    I somehow never made the connection between parafilm and paraffin, interesting!

  • @RayAdamsCanada
    @RayAdamsCanada Před 3 lety

    I was looking for piece of information about what parafilm is; but then I become a parafilm school graduate. Thank you 🙏.

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 3 lety

      Hahaha this is one of my favorite comments eve! I hope it was helpful!

    • @RayAdamsCanada
      @RayAdamsCanada Před 3 lety

      Yes. Indeed. Priceless.

  • @bortmaximus
    @bortmaximus Před 6 lety

    Parafilm is magic. I don't remember ever ordering any but there was always plenty there. Instead of, like, a Bag of Holding, Parafilm was like a Box of Giving.

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety

      This is true! I did realize while filming this however that because the rolls they come in are endless, most of the Parafilm in our lab was likely... very old. There was a noticeable difference in "stretchability" between our (likely *decade* old...) Parafilm and the new box that came in!

  • @randymicallef3545
    @randymicallef3545 Před 2 lety

    I've searched high and low for an answer, so I'll try here. I'm trying to find out if wrapping individual batteries in Parafilm to protect them from moisture and the elements when in the field (outdoors) will work... anyone know anything about this or if there is a reason I shouldn't wrap a battery in Parafilm?

  • @juangonzalez9848
    @juangonzalez9848 Před 6 lety

    Yay new vid

  • @FilipSalomonsson
    @FilipSalomonsson Před 6 lety +1

    And now I crave this thing I didn’t know existed five minutes ago. 😮

    • @hugueslefebure9107
      @hugueslefebure9107 Před rokem

      It has that effect. It's the funky stetchable and self sticking properties with chemical and air resistance that naturally appeals to people. Nerdy-biology people that is.

  • @fymchannel3946
    @fymchannel3946 Před 4 lety

    thank you. this is realy help me know what it's.

  • @SpartanLawOnline
    @SpartanLawOnline Před rokem

    Where is Bumhead? Or is this just Bemis solo?

  • @HerbQuest
    @HerbQuest Před rokem

    I need to learn how to use parafilm to seal a petri dish properly for agar work with mycology.

  • @Anze_kotar
    @Anze_kotar Před 3 lety

    I love to graft with parafilm🌱

  • @RyukoChan87
    @RyukoChan87 Před 5 lety

    It is also used alot by us, chemists, and for weighting small weights :D

  • @mipmipmipmipmip
    @mipmipmipmipmip Před 6 lety +1

    Never saw the ultrawide film! It’s amazing that this is just one company since 80 years! A thing that I always wondered, is it possible to make a candle out of parafilm?

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety +1

      +mipmipmipmipmip I believe it is used often as a camping fire starter, so, likely!

  • @JimtheEvo
    @JimtheEvo Před 6 lety +3

    You gave summer students scissors...? You're one brave grad student!

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety

      Not every summer student earns scissors, but these ones were special ;)

  • @rogerwebster7700
    @rogerwebster7700 Před 4 lety

    Can you tell me where I can purchase some please parafilm

  • @Tjousk
    @Tjousk Před 6 lety +1

    Small pieces of parafilm between the corners of a stack of paper with a hot air gun, and then it's a real lab staple.

  • @shiyuanli9580
    @shiyuanli9580 Před 2 lety

    I used Parafilm to fix my broken glasses. Boom!

  • @moertelruehrer
    @moertelruehrer Před 6 lety +2

    This moment, if you get a push notification about this video, currently having a box of parafilm in hand in lab... :D
    But I NEVER saw such a big role of parafilm :O

  • @telemachin
    @telemachin Před 2 měsíci

    2:42 but, it raises a new question !!! What is "chartex" ?

  • @perlsackhd3957
    @perlsackhd3957 Před 3 lety

    Definitly going to mapmount something on my labcoat

  • @MatJan86
    @MatJan86 Před 6 lety

    I wonder if they sell this thing worldwide? 🤔

  • @chrisneumayer4821
    @chrisneumayer4821 Před 6 lety

    I want to be a summer student in your lab just to be filmed opening a massive box of parafilm :D can you give us a hint about the next videos?:)

  • @supersmashsam
    @supersmashsam Před 6 lety +6

    Long time no see! I really enjoyed this video!
    Has anyone gone through one parafilm roll? These things seem to last forever! Judging by their retro look, my hypothesis is that parafilm rolls are self-regenerating and that only a few were made a long time ago. I demand isotopic dating! :p

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety +2

      Talking about this video with a professor in my department, she remarked on the fact that the packaging instructs "When empty, reorder from your laboratory supplier," and how silly that is, because, do they think you wouldn't do that on your own? But also, no one could ever remember having to have done so...

    • @xja85mac
      @xja85mac Před 6 lety +1

      I remember that one of the analytical chemistry labs in my university was running short of parafilm, so us students were told to use it with restraint.
      btw, I loved this video, and so did my colleagues with which I shared it!

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety +1

      Using parafilm with restraint is a hard task! And I'm so glad you liked it :)

  • @madduxfightinpanda5765

    Hey I'm not sure what major I should do because I love chemestry but not big on biology what would you recomend

    • @Hackanhacker
      @Hackanhacker Před 6 lety

      GO SEE EVERY MSDS FOR THE CHEMICALS Befor YOU MANIPULATE them
      every potencial and glassware you like take it to your lab ;) same things with all product found at the grocerystore and drugstore and anf garden store and pool suply store for salt, sulfur, potassium nitrate, amonnium nitrate(coldpack), potassium clhorate (sodium free salt replacement), chlorine, etcetcetcetc xD tthis is wath im doing xD and its fun a made all sort of other compound ... etcetc

  • @qwmf05gcpt42
    @qwmf05gcpt42 Před 6 lety

    Can you recycle it?

  • @bryanessig8814
    @bryanessig8814 Před 5 lety +1

    It is used a lot for grafting fruit trees

  • @SkimmerX
    @SkimmerX Před 2 lety

    I really like the vid but we still don’t know what it is 😖

  • @reza_amini_farm9030
    @reza_amini_farm9030 Před 2 lety +1

    What is the number on the parafilm?
    For example 11 12

    • @felina_cosmicax
      @felina_cosmicax Před rokem

      I have the same question, but in my parafilm appears 17 and 18

  • @ZorroVulpes
    @ZorroVulpes Před 6 lety

    since you refer to them as summer lab students, did you shoot this in the summer and not upload until now?

  • @Nicholas.Tsagkos
    @Nicholas.Tsagkos Před 5 lety +1

    My fav use is grafting trees!
    I'm searching for a cheap source of parafilm or no brand paraffin grafting tape and that's how i found out this vid! :)

    • @ximono
      @ximono Před 2 lety

      Did you ever find one?

  • @biogfp9340
    @biogfp9340 Před 5 lety +2

    0:34 is giving me war flashbacks

  • @kanjitard
    @kanjitard Před 6 lety

    I used to fold parafilm to bigger pieces and use it as chewing gum.

  • @hugueslefebure9107
    @hugueslefebure9107 Před rokem

    I think i'm contacting Bemis.

  • @JoseRodriguez-yg2xg
    @JoseRodriguez-yg2xg Před 3 lety

    Hey quick question would the parafilm used for nursery grafting be the same? I'd like to get some but the m parafilm is a bit up there lol any advice is welcome thanks!

  • @ArchOfWinter
    @ArchOfWinter Před 6 lety +6

    I guess that's one way to get lab equipment on a tight budget.

  • @hugueslefebure9107
    @hugueslefebure9107 Před rokem

    You nerds. You love Parafilm. I understand 😍.

  • @JohnDoe-oe8gm
    @JohnDoe-oe8gm Před 3 lety

    I'm here for knowledge and you can offer more so I hit the subscribe button. 👍

  • @joesgarage618
    @joesgarage618 Před 6 lety

    wait for it !..... @ 1:44.. laugh = awesome !

  • @nournegm85
    @nournegm85 Před 6 lety +2

    can you tell us a little about your experience in scientific writing and publishing papers

  • @aarond0623
    @aarond0623 Před 6 lety +5

    Have you thought about doing a video on the current tax overhaul? I want to go to graduate school, but tax changes are making me think I'll never get there, due to taxing tuition waivers as income.

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety +4

      I have thought about this, mostly because I've been constantly worried about it for weeks, but there's definitely an "but I'm not a tax attorney, I can't talk about that" mental roadblock in my way :(

  • @quimicaextrema
    @quimicaextrema Před 6 lety

    Hey Alex! How are you? My name is Felipe and I'm a 17yo Brazilian Education CZcamsr which was inspired a lot by your videos. In my channel I do a lot of chemistry experiments inside a homemade lab! Well, I actually want to thank you for being a motivation for me during this CZcams years, your passion for science makes me realize that we still have brilliant minds thinking and creating. Congratulations for your work and please keep doing it, you definitely have a worldwide public and I'll help translating your videos to Portuguese if you wish so! A big shout out from Brazil! :)

  • @k2l1m3n
    @k2l1m3n Před 6 lety

    It doesn't like pathology machines. We have a machine that caps tubes with parafilm and it is ALWAYS getting jammed and needs fixing. Also it's no good for transporting specimens either.

  • @spikedwk
    @spikedwk Před 6 lety

    Are you the "bitescized" chick?
    Also, in your weird "look, CZcams has snapchat now" video, mobile users can't click on the link.
    Glad to have found this channel if you are who I think

  • @jhyland87
    @jhyland87 Před 6 lety

    Ive never heard of parafilm. Definitely looks useful, but also kinda expensive.

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety

      While true, I don't know anyone who has ever finished a roll. Each box may actually be infinite...

  • @Shane_O.5158
    @Shane_O.5158 Před 3 lety

    use parafilm for grafting plants.

  • @agravy7657
    @agravy7657 Před 3 lety

    The most expensive saran wrap you will ever buy.

  • @ChaitanyaShukla2503
    @ChaitanyaShukla2503 Před 6 lety +8

    Before this I never knew parafilm existed.

  • @DarthSinistris
    @DarthSinistris Před 5 lety

    Parafilm is the shit

  • @ricarleite
    @ricarleite Před 6 lety +3

    Could those be used... as... condoms?

  • @jyrkijarvinen1603
    @jyrkijarvinen1603 Před 6 lety +1

    Plastic makes things happy, like "lab rats" :) But not seas! Seas don't like plastic, at all...

  • @lukepeterson481
    @lukepeterson481 Před 5 lety

    Any saxophone players out there?

  • @maninwater5615
    @maninwater5615 Před 5 lety

    That's some shit you put on stuff to keep shit in

  • @MorRobots
    @MorRobots Před 6 lety

    Alex, you look great but you never needed makeup to make great videos. This just the signs of being done with your dissertation and being stress free?

    • @AlexDainisPhD
      @AlexDainisPhD  Před 6 lety

      Hahahaha, oh no, wait until you see the upcoming "week in the life!" blog where I am makeup free but definitely not stress free!