Colorado Environmental Microbiology Research Laboratories and Associated Equipment

Environmental Microbiology Laboratory. The department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado has its own dedicated laboratory. The University of Colorado's Environmental Engineering Laboratories are available to this project for specialized classical and molecular microbiological analyses. New, state-of-the-art environmental microbiology laboratories were finished during 1997. Multiple temperature and variable atmosphere incubators support a broad spectrum of classical microbiological assays. Large numbers of microbiological samples can be processed using class II biosafety cabinets, high-volume spiral-plating equipment, and a high-volume autoclave. Molecular capabilities include "clean" facilities and equipment for genetic material extraction, membrane immobilization, and DNA/RNA hybridizations.

Microscopy. These laboratories also include a state-of-the-art microscopy facility. This new facility has specialty equipment including a Leitz Laborlux epifluorescent microscope, and a Nikon E-400 compound epifluorescent microscope with multiple filter sets capable of detecting a wide spectrum of biological stains. The epifluorescent microscopes are fitted with a SONY low light, high-resolution 32-bit CCD color camera, integrated digitizer, and Pentium based image analyzer. No cost access to a brand new transmission electron microscope is available in our membrane separations lab.

Analytical Chemistry. With respect to environmental chemistry, the analytical capabilities of the University of Colorado are also state-of-the-art. The laboratory is licensed for radioisotope handling and storage (S35, P32, C14, and N15) and includes a high-speed liquid scintillation counter. Several modern gas and liquid chromatographs (Agilent/HP) are available for this project. The GC and HPLC instruments are fitted with the detectors required for these analyses (all detector types are available: EC, UV, Fluorescence, FID, TCD, Photodetector) - all have automatic sample processing capabilities, and the current usage level can accommodate the demands of this project. A modern BAS polargraph has been dedicated to this lab, and is available for the characterization of corrosion inhibitors in environmental samples. Also available is a modern Varian ICP analyzer, which is available for metals analyses, and a high-volume, semi-automated ion chromatograph. Several modern centrifuges are available.

Bioaerosol Chambers. Both large-scale (90 m3) and small-scale (1m3) chambers are available to study the behavior of aerosolized microorganisms in our laboratory. These chambers are outfitted with temperature and relative humidity controls, as well as Ultraviolet lights. They have recently hosted a series of experiments to determine the response and stability of selected bioaerosols to engineering controls.

Schematic of Lucite™ pilot-scale (1 m3) bioaerosol chamber associated environmental controls, and UV disinfection system

Schematic of CU's two full-scale (90 m3) bioaerosol chambers, their associated HVAC systems, and environmental controls (UV disinfection system not shown)