Preceding any lab work, our team completed an extensive module where we acquire the knowledge to work on a Physical Containment Level 2 laboratory. Safety must be of great importance while working in the laboratory, that’s why we made sure to be informed about safety in the laboratory before starting to work with the experimental protocols and manipulate the microorganisms that were going to be used throughout our project because we knew that this involved certain risks if managed incorrectly.

Personal Protective Equipment

In the lab we use lab coats, masks, and nitrile gloves in order to prevent contact with aerosols, droplets, and splashes that might be generated during the experiments.

Personal belongings are kept separate from where the potentially infectious materials are being handled.

PPE is removed when leaving the lab.

We have always disinfected our hands with 70% ethanol before and after putting the nitrile gloves on as well as wash our hands when we enter the lab.

Biological Safety Cabinets

In the lab we use biological safety cabinets in order to prevent us to get in contact with the samples that are being analyzed as well as protecting them from getting contaminated. Every time we make use of the biological safety cabinets, we first sterilize it by leaving the UV light on for 15 minutes with the material that's going to be used in the protocols, we also disinfect our hands with 70% ethanol before getting them into the cabinet, and clean it every time we finish using it.

Open Bench: Using Burners to create a sterile zone

When working in open bench, we first have to sterilize the area with 70% ethanol and use of burners to create a sterile zone especially while managing microorganisms.

Wet Lab: Decontamination and Waste Management

Waste must be managed in different ways depending on what is going to be disposed of. Sharp objects must be disposed of in a red thick plastic bottle, biological wastes such as fluids must be disposed of in a yellow hermetic bottle, solid biological wastes in a yellow bag, and objects that have been in contact with bacteria or other infectious agents should be disposed of in a red bag.

We worked on a Containment Level 2 Laboratory, with lockable doors and previous training to handle materials, equipments and biosafety. Benches are covered in varnish (non-absorbent material). The access to the laboratory is restricted to Biotechnology alumni and our Faculty teachers.

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