Dr Daniela Tikel, CAB Laboratory Manager
CHEMISTRY
We have recently doubled fume cabinet capacity in both the Q601 and Q610 laboratories, increased cold storage capacity, and provided a dedicated zone to support 5 HPLC systems. In addition, CAB has the diverse range of equipment and instrumentation needed to support:
- sugar analyses and characterisation to improve sugar mill operations;
- thermochemical conversion of a wide range of by-products and wastes into food, fuel, fibre, fine chemicals, and materials; and
- biological transformation of agricultural by-products
Researchers Dan Sullivan and Aaron Chai reviewing sample loading on one of the HPLCs for sugars analysis
BIOTECHNOLOGY
On Level 5 of Q block the essential new Biotech laboratories were completed despite the Pandemic providing showcase high quality genetic research facilities to identify and capture promising agronomic traits for future crop improvement. Real time PCR machines, incubators, liquid handling robots, high and ultra-speed centrifuges, tissue disruption, and a ‘plant studio’ to digitally capture images of genetic activity in living plants are some of the instruments available to Researchers to:
- identify and modify genetic traits including the CRISPR technique
- development and production of biopharmaceuticals
- deliver applications from synthetic biology
Q510 Biotech laboratory
PLANT TISSUE CULTURE (‘BABY’ PLANTS GROWN IN NUTRIENT MEDIA SUCH AS AGAR WITH VITAMINS)
The Plant Tissue Culture (PTC) facilities on Level 6 include prep rooms with laminar flows to protect the ‘baby’ plants or plant cells from contamination nutrient media under sterile and controlled conditions of light and temperature (and humidity). The facilities include both walk in and ‘plug in’ facilities.
Geneticist Alexandra Tabrett in the gel electrophoresis bay
PROPAGATION (WHOLE PLANTS GROWN IN POTTING MIX)
On Level 1 the CAB facilities include GM PC2 (Genetically Modified Physical Containment Level 2) Propagation facilities include several walk-in controlled environment growth rooms which are being upgraded from fluoro to LED light in line with future sustainability.
CENTRAL STERILISING SERVICES FACILITY (CSSF)
The CSSF makes Research an ease with day to day support providing:
- autoclave sterilisation of the Pathological waste stream
- occasional autoclaving requests (e.g., potting mix pasteurisation, lab laundry sanitation, media autoclaving)
- glass ware and plastic ware washing and drying
- tip loading and autoclave sterilisation
- monitoring the quality of house RO water and Q818/819 water softening supply