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Low Biomass Molecular Biology

Extreme environments on Earth, including those created by humans (e.g., clean rooms), are generally low in biomass. Environmental contamination, particularly for molecular biology analysis, is therefore a problem. The purpose of AstrobiologyOU's newly-designated low biomass molecular biology laboratory is to limit the contamination of samples during DNA extraction and PCRs steps to ensure our data is robust.

Description

The low biomass laboratory contains three primary pieces of equipment: a PCR workstation for low biomass nucleic acid extraction, a fume hood for extractions using hazardous chemicals, and a bead beater for removing nucleic acid from environmental samples or from hard-to-digest microorganisms. In order to maintain low biomass in this facility. Access to this facility is restricted to only those researchers working on low biomass samples. High biomass samples are assayed on another floor of the building.

Specification

The specifications of the PCR workstation are found in the table below:

Manufacturer Air Science Technologies
Model Purair PCR 48
Construction Epoxy-coated steel frame with a polypropylene work surface
Air cleanliness standards Exceeds ISO class 5
Main filter HEPA
Decontamination Integral germicidal UV lamp
Flows Vertical lamina airflow

The specifications of the fume cupboard are found in the table below:

Manufacturer Integrated Laboratory Services
Model K8 series
Construction 1500 mm
Construction 316 grade stainless steel front cill with a Trespa inner chamber
Manufacture standards BS EN 14175
Flows 0.50 m/sec

The specifications of the bead beater are found in the table below:

Manufacturer MP Biomedicals
Model FastPrep 24 5G
Sample volume 200 µl to 50 ml; to 25 g
Sample type Yeast, fungi, bacteria, soft tissues, cells, faecal or soil samples. Breaks hard/brittle samples. Grinding of teeth, bone, hair and pulverisation of construction materials. Isolate DNA from virtually any sample
Time range 1 to 120 seconds in 1 second increments
Speed range 4 to 10 m/sec in 0.5 m/sec increments
Cycles 1-9 cycles
Pause time 1 to 300 second pause between cycles in 1 second increments (default: 300 Seconds)

 

For more information, please read:

Macey, M. C., Fox-Powell, M., Ramkissoon, N. K., Stephens, B. P., Barton, T., Schwenzer, S. P., Pearson, V. K., Cousins, C. R. and Olsson-Francis, K. (2020). The identification of sulfide oxidation as a potential metabolism driving primary production on late Noachian Mars. Scientific reports, 10, article no. 10941.

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