The Museum's in-house, fully equipped molecular laboratory is available for all essential DNA and stable isotope analysis benchwork. The fully functioning wet lab includes seven dedicated lab benches plus an additional two microscope areas, a weigh station, and long-term tissue storage. A Sartorius MSA 3.6P-OTR-DM microbalance station is available in a secure weighing room. The lab is equipped with a fume hood, a laboratory freeze dryer, chemical storage (acids, bases, and flammables) and safety equipment (eyewash and shower), a sink, and three ultra-cold freezers for storage of biological and DNA extraction vouchers (-80℃).
The lab is stocked with chemical and molecular reagents, PCR products, and other essential equipment for generating DNA and stable isotope data, such as two Eppendorf microcentrifuges, a benchtop incubator, water baths, two Eppendorf thermocyclers, a gel electrophoresis tank and power supply, a transilluminator and gel imager, pipettors, benchtop vortexes and PCR strip tube spinners, a UV crosslinker, a SpeedVac, and numerous other pieces of equipment.
