1. Microbiology Safety w Microbes are present everywhere. w Harmful microbes should not be allowed to grow and develop w PRECAUTIONS w All surfaces should be plastic w All surfaces should be disinfected w Do not allow hands in contact with face w Wear protective clothing w Sterilise all equipment if possible (heat treatment)

2. What can go wrong w E Coli and other bacteria like Streptococcus can cause diseses like Necrotizing Fascitis

3. Growing Micro-Organisms w Need a suitable growth media e.g AGAR w AGAR: A substance extracted from red algae (often found in seaweed) w Agar usually comes as a powder which is dissolved in water - forms a gel. w Heated above 100 o C (in an autoclave) to destroy contaminants and melt the gel. w Molten agar is then poured into petri dishes. w Agar provides lots of nutrients but is not degraded. w

4. Avoiding Contamination w All containers have to be sealed ( e.g lids, tape etc) to prevent entry of contaminants w All equipment in contact with microbes have to be boiled or ‘flamed’. w No food or drink allowed in laboratory. w Once completed all dishes and cultures should be disposed of in sealed bags and autoclaved.

5. Resistant Spores w Some microbes can protect themselves by producing spores. w Spores are resistant to extremes in temp, moisture, and pH, or use of disinfectants that would kill most microbes. w They protect themselves with a thick outer coat. w Only temps over 120oC can kill all spores.