1. Well-Equipped Laboratories
Microbiology labs are designed to provide a controlled environment for culturing, observing, and analyzing microorganisms. The labs include:
- Laminar airflow hoods – To maintain a sterile environment while handling cultures
- Autoclaves – For sterilization of equipment and media
- Incubators – To grow and maintain microbial cultures at specific temperatures
- Biosafety cabinets – To safely handle pathogenic microorganisms
- Colony counters – For accurate microbial quantification
2. Essential Equipment
Students have access to modern microbiological tools, including:
- Light Microscopes & Phase-contrast Microscopes – For observing bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms
- Spectrophotometers – For measuring microbial growth and biochemical assays
- PCR Machines – For DNA amplification and genetic studies
- Centrifuges – For separating biological samples
- Electrophoresis Units – For DNA and protein analysis
3. Chemicals and Reagents
To conduct various microbiological experiments, the labs are stocked with:
- Culture media (Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Blood agar, etc.)
- Staining reagents (Gram stain, Acid-fast stain, Endospore stain)
- Biochemical test kits for identifying microorganisms
- Disinfectants and sterilizing agents for lab safety
4. Microbial Cultures and Strain Collections
- Labs maintain a collection of bacterial, fungal, and viral cultures for study and research
- Standard Microbial culture collections like ATCC, MTCC
- Facilities for isolation and identification of unknown microorganisms
5. Research and Advanced Facilities
For higher-level research, additional facilities may include:
- Molecular biology labs for genetic studies
- Fermentation units for industrial microbiology applications
- Cryopreservation storage for microbial strain conservation
6. Safety and Waste Disposal
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) – Lab coats, gloves, masks
- Biohazard waste bins for proper disposal of microbial cultures
- Fume hoods for handling hazardous chemicals
