BTEC National Diploma Applied Science

Unit 2: Laboratory Organisation

Scenario:

You are a scientist who has been employed within the science sector for a number of years. The science wing of the organisation is undergoing refurbishment and you have been allocated two new laboratory suites. As the team leader of the science team you have been asked to meet with the architects to discuss your requirements for the two new laboratory suites.

Task 1

Research and select two different types of laboratory suites and complete the following:

  1. Research and identify the key features that you must consider when designing your two selected laboratory suites e.g. he locations of the two suites, equipment required, storage cupboards etc.

The two different types of laboratory’s I have chosen to look at are:  Microbiology lab and a biochemistry lab.

 Background research on Microbiology

 receives swabs, , , , , medical equipment, as

well as possible infected tissue. They culture this to check for any  

.Sample processing usually starts with a set of samples and a request

form.

Typically a set of vacutainer tubes containing blood, or any other specimen arrive to the laboratory in a small plastic bag, along with the form.

The form and the specimens are given a laboratory number. The specimen usually receive the same number, often as a sticker that can be placed on the tubes and form. Entry of requests into a laboratory management system involves typing, or scanning (where barcodes are used) in the laboratory number, and entering the patient identification, as well as any tests requested. This allows labaroratory machines; computers and staff to know what test are pending, and also give a place (such as a hospital department, doctor or other customer) for results to go.

Designing a Microbiology lab

The key features that I might consider when designing a Microbiology lab will be first of all the storage system. I will need an area for the secure storage and preparation of scientific resources.  i.e. refrigeration and freezing of samples and reagents, poisons/acids/inflammables. I will have to think about where I have to put all the chemicals that we will use and where all the samples will be placed. For example I will also have to consider the Health and safety of the suite including ergonomics. Ergonomics is a discipline that involves arranging the environment to fit the person in it. For example I will have to think about the lifting and handling from shelves. I will have to make sure that the shelves aren’t too high up where you can’t reach up to the shelf. Therefore I will have to put COSHH regulations in practice.

I will have to think about the ambient temperature of the lab, as much of the equipment used in a microbiology lab operates at an optimum temperature. Enzyme systems are particularly affected by temperature so it needs to be stable.

I will have to think about the security of the lab as labs contain expensive equipment like microscopes and computers.

I will have to think about where the disposal waste will have to go as Disposal of materials particularly biological samples need to be planned and sensitive confidential information will need to be shredded to protect confidentiality of patients and clients.

Background research on Biochemistry lab:

 usually receive . They test the serum for different components. For biochemistry samples, blood is usually centrifuged and serum is separated. If the serum needs to go on more than one machine, it can be divided into separate tubes.

All biochemical tests come under chemical pathology. These are performed on any kind of , but mostly on . Serum is the yellow watery part of blood that is left after blood has been allowed to clot and all blood cells have been removed. This is most easily done by centrifugation which packs the more dense blood cells and platelets to the bottom of the centrifuge tube, leaving the liquid serum fraction resting above the packed cells. Plasma is essentially the same as serum, but is obtained by centrifuging the blood without clotting. Plasma therefore contains all of the clotting factors, including

Designing a biochemistry lab

The key features that I might consider when designing a biochemistry lab will be common laboratory equipment and consumables such as

Join now!
  • Cold room
  • Hood
  • Safety cabinet (acids/bases and solvents)
  • Benches
  • Sinks
  • Autoclave
  • Lab washer
  • Ice machine
  • Microwave
  • Freezer -20° et -80°
  • Balance (precision 10mg)
  • Balance (precision 1/100mg)
  • Vacuum pump
  • Micropipettes
  • Ultra pure water
  • pH meter
  • Shakers, mini spin
  • Water bath
  • Burner
  • Hot plate stirrer
  • Vortex
  • Glassware (beaker,…)
  • Small materials (tubes,…)
  • Safety equipment (gloves,…)
  • Reagents/Solvents
  • Gas

This is a preview of the whole essay