Overview
ISIS houses a biology laboratory in each target station, providing specialist equipment and expertise for the preparation, characterisation and handling of biological and biochemical samples. These may include nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and bacterial cell cultures. We assist visiting scientists in preparing, checking, and optimising samples for ISIS instrument beam time.
Work in these laboratories also focuses on the development of experimental methods and assisting users with data analysis and experimental design.
July 2023 update:
ISIS USER BIOLAB SURVEY - IMPORTANT!
To help us to shape up the strategy around our user needs, please complete a short questionnaire, linked here or via the QR code opposite. Feel free to be as detailed or as concise as you like. Your opinion really matters, and we would be very grateful for sharing it with us.
Location
The R55 CL1 Biology Lab is located on the ground floor, near the Surf beamline in TS1. This laboratory operates at containment level 1.
The R80 CL2 Biology Lab is located on the first floor on the east side of TS2. This laboratory operates at containment level 2.
The CL2 Cell Culture suite is situated behind the main CL2 laboratory. It provides facilities for culturing different types of cells - from bacteria and algae to insect and mammalian cultures.
Access Policy
Access to both bio labs is restricted. Please contact the ISIS Sample Safety Team (isissamplesafety@stfc.ac.uk) or your local contact to arrange for an induction. Access will be granted for the duration of your experiment after induction.
Safety Information and Working Practices
Any work that is carried out in the biolab must be suitably risk assessed either in your Experimental Risk Assessment (ERA) for a beam time experiment or separately for a non-beam time experiment. Please contact the ISIS Sample Safety Team (isissamplesafety@stfc.ac.uk) if you need more information or risk assessment templates.
The slide below will explain biosample assessment and paperwork.
ISIS_BioSample_Chart.pdf
This short presentation will explain why one should consider biosafety implications before starting their work at ISIS.
ISIS_BioLabs_Safety_and_Ethics_pdf.pdf
The BioCOSHH RA and the instructions how to fill it in can be found below.
BA Assessment form.docx
BA Assessment guidance.docx
Please familiarise yourself with the Site safety handbook before starting your work in the BioLabs. This also covers Diamond, CLF, RFI and RCaH Site Safety handbook Dec21.pdf
Equipment Booking
Please follow the procedure below for booking equipment. Please note, ISIS IdeaELAN is different from the one that is used by RCaH users.IdeaELAN ISIS-Creating an account.pdf
Lone Working
Lone working permission will be granted by the lab manager after reviewing the risk assessments and ensuring that suitable measures are in place. Please speak to the ISIS Sample Safety Team (isissamplesafety@stfc.ac.uk) well in advance to organise this.
Contacts
R55 CL1 Biology Lab - 01235 446784
R80 CL2 Biology Lab - 01235 567162
ISIS Sample Safety Team - isissamplesafety@stfc.ac.uk
Dr Ludmila Mee - Biology Laboratories Manager
Sarah Langham - Senior Laboratory Support Technician
Rachel Pearce - Laboratory Technician
