General sterile checklist for working in a clean lab space:
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Personal hygiene: Make sure you are clean and healthy before entering the lab. Wear appropriate clothing, hair tied back, and remove jewelry that could come in contact with the work area.
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Disinfect your workspace: Clean your workspace with an appropriate disinfectant such as 70% ethanol or other approved cleaner.
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Use sterile equipment: All equipment should be properly sterilized and free of contaminants. Use only sterile tools and materials to avoid introducing any contaminants to your work area.
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Wear protective gear: Wear gloves, lab coats, and face masks to prevent the spread of microorganisms and other contaminants.
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Work in a laminar flow hood: A laminar flow hood provides a sterile environment and minimizes the risk of contamination during transfer of materials.
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Use aseptic techniques: When working with cultures, use aseptic techniques to prevent contamination. This includes sterilizing your workspace and tools, flame sterilizing equipment, and avoiding touching non-sterile surfaces.
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Keep the lab area clean: Wipe down all surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant after you finish working. Keep the lab area clean and organized.
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Monitor and maintain the environment: Monitor the temperature and humidity levels in the lab and ensure that all equipment is functioning properly.
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Properly dispose of waste: Properly dispose of all waste materials in the appropriate containers. Use biohazard bags for any contaminated materials.
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Regularly perform quality control checks: Regularly test the purity and sterility of your cultures to ensure they are free of contaminants.
Remember, maintaining a sterile lab environment is crucial to the success of your experiments and the safety of everyone in the lab.