As for sterile technique, Frank said for this lab it's pretty basic. We don't have hoods, but
students should wash hands with antibacterial soap at the sinks (I'm going to bring in the squeezy
bottle self dry stuff as much as I don't like to use it), and when they are using their petri plates
that they only handle the outside surface, have the cover off as little as possible, and NEVER put
their hand or head over the plate - do all streaking from the side of the plate. Also, the 'loops' we
have to transfer are actually plastic hooks, and they will need to dip those in alcohol before the
bacterial transfers.
Due to the holiday this week I am working 8 hour days and therefore I will not be in tonight to
help you with your pGLO lab. If you would like to come in before 4:30 I can show you where I’m
keeping the plasmid and what incubator to use for your lab.
If you cannot come in I will put the plasmid on ice in the ice bucket included to keep it cold. Its
not a priority to keep it cold, but they say you should if possible. Everything else will be on the
cart ready to go. Please put all materials that have come into contact with the E. coli into the
biohazard bucket, so the yellow sterile loops, pipettes, and any tubes that contained E. coli.
When you are done put all your classes plates onto the tray I provided on the bottom of the
cart and label the tray with your name so things don’t get confusing next week. Frank has
volunteered to take the plates out of the incubator over the holiday and they will be ready to
look at next week.
I forgot to tell you that the incubator you should put your plates in tonight is incubator 1 in the
back room, near my desk. It says 37C on it and it will already have Elizabeth’s plates from this
morning in there.