Biological experiments are the bricks to understand modern science. The experiments carried out in a biology laboratory are sometimes the key to executing a research result from any chemistry or physics laboratory. The ultimate requirement of each experiment somewhere is to observe the effect on a living organism. Hence, biology laboratories must be well maintained and free from contaminants so that the outcomes are pure at every level.

 

The research workers are on top of the list to take responsibility for the cleanliness of the laboratory. This is because the atmosphere needs to be set from day one in a laboratory for carrying out biological experiments.

 

There are different biology laboratories based on the branch of biology focused on working in a particular laboratory. For example, there is a molecular biology lab, cell biology lab, biochemistry lab, microbiology lab, bioinformatics lab, etc. The common thing to be noted while working in all these laboratories is maintaining the proper environment.

 

  • The first thing is to keep the laboratory clean. Cleanliness is essential for managing the purity of any experimental sample within a laboratory.

It is always a good practice for a biological laboratory to enter the laboratory keeping the shoes outside. The shoes usually carry most germs, and once they are prohibited from being carried inside the laboratory, a huge percentage of contamination can be avoided. This practice is a must for a microbiology or cell biology laboratory.

 

  • An air conditioner is a must in some biology laboratories. A cool environment inside the laboratory helps lower humidity and control contaminations related to heat and moisture. Not only that, some samples need to be handled in a cool environment. Sometimes, the equipment used in the laboratory requires a certain low temperature to remain in working condition. Moreover, paying close attention to airflow allows for a normal unidirectional flow of clean air. Hence, AC installation solves all these problems. A window AC, any split AC, 2 ton or 1 ton AC 5 star, etc., are enough to keep a cool and convenient atmosphere in a biology laboratory.

 

  • One of the most important things to remember is not to eat inside the laboratory. Eating is a common process of environmental contamination. So, eating inside the laboratory is a big NO.

 

  • While working in a biology laboratory, an individual should always keep their hands sterilized. Frequent washing of hands and sterilizing them with alcohol is a good practice to maintain.

 

  • Working in a cell culture room or working with microorganisms requires extra carefulness. Each step should be carried out with sterility so that no contamination can occur to ruin the entire experimental process. Hence, in those particular areas of the laboratories where cellular experiments are carried out, a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter should be maintained.

 

  • If in vivo experiments are done and animals are kept, they should be taken care of and sacrificed ethically.

 

  • All the instruments should be well maintained and used following the exact protocol so that no malfunction occurs.

 

  • The working tables should always be kept clean and clear so that there is no mixing of samples while experimenting.

 

  • Random entry of people from outside should be restricted as they may cause contamination during the experimental procedure.

 

The basic requirements for maintaining the environment inside a biology laboratory have been mentioned above. Apart from these, extra carefulness makes the environment inside a laboratory clean and comfortable to carry out a successful experiment.

 

Maintaining the temperature and proper hygiene inside a lab motivates and makes it convenient for assistants to perform all experiments efficiently.