EQUIPMENT FOR A MICROBIOLOGY WORK STATION ©David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D., Professor of Biology and Chemistry University of Cincinnati Clermont College, Batavia OH 45103
View of microbiological workstation, labeled	This page has been accessed  times since 11 July 2001.  12 July 1993, rvsd 13 June 1994, 1 July 98, 28 June 01	Close up of reagents at microbiological workstation

The common manipulations involved in microbiology require a fairly standard set of equipment. You will be assigned a work station which you will share with two or three other students should include the following set-up. Ensure that it is kept clean, all apparatus is in good repair, and solutions in adequate supply. Report problems either to the instructor or the lab manager.

Establish your station adjacent to a sink, with gas supply nearby:

Equipment and suppliesComments and/or explanations

Kimwipes Lab tissue: smaller, purer and tougher than "Kleenex,"
wax pencil For writing on test tubes, and petri dishes (which must be clean and dry in order to write on them). Do not peel more paper off than to just expose the wax tip.

flint striker Make sure that the flint is not worn down, replace if it is.

Bunsen burner with hose To light: close needle valve, half close air holes, turn on gas supply, position ear near burner mouth, open needle valve until hissing is heard, move head away from burner, place striker directly at mouth of burner, sharply squeeze striker, pressing flint into file surface (you must be able to make bright sparks). Adjust size and intensity of flame to proper levels.

box microscope slides Should be clean--you will probably have to wash with soap and water to be sure. Clean, sterilize & drain dry after use.

box cover slips Discard after single use.

hand soap in petri dish Keep water from pooling in the dish

inoculating loop in chuck: Platinum wire, 26 gauge, 7 cm long. Make a 1-2 mm loop at end, (tweezers work for this) bend the last 6 mm bent at a slight angle.

Squirt Bottles in carrier containing:

tap water For flushing off excess stain into sink

distilled water Q.s. solutions to given volume, where dH₂O is required

70% EtOH Most effective antiseptic concentration, for sterilizing field

95% EtOH Used for sterilization where rapid evaporation is required

Dropper Bottles in tray:

dH₂O For suspending samples. Be sure the water is pure, no floaters)

0.3% Methylene Blue General basic stain

Hucker's Stain Gram stain primary stain: Gentian violet with ammonium oxalate

Gram's Iodine Gram stain mordant: make sure it is fresh. (It will weaken with age, looks pale tan, which will cause the Gram stain to fail)

Safranin O Gram Stain counterstain (Red)
 

Later in course, for spreading plates:

vortex mixer Set to go on when pressed. Grasp test tube firmly at its top, press bottom into rubber cup. The rotation of the cup will cause a vortex in the contents of the tube. Halt vortexing, and repeat these steps two more times to thoroughly mix.

turn table Spins an agar plate as a specimen is spread on its surface

EtOH in 250 mL beaker w/lid 95% EtOH is used to sterilize the spreader. Keep lid in place to slow evaporation.

spreader Prepared from a properly bent from glass rod, is used after sterilization in 95% EtOH and flaming off excess EtOH to spread specimens.