Ohio Water Microbiology Lab
Research Topics
Internal Information
Ohio Water Science Center
USGS In Your State
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OWML: About Us
Overview
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory (OWML)
addresses water-related public-health concerns for Ohio and the rest of the
Nation. The OWML works with government agencies, academic institutions, and
other partners to study the quality of national, state, and local water
resources. The OWML is involved in investigations of processes that affect
microorganisms in the environment and testing of new methods to improve
detection and interpretation of microbiological presence in water.
The
OWML is located in the USGS Columbus, Ohio office and consists of a 1,000-ft2
main laboratory area (“main lab”), a 300-ft2 restricted-use area (“back lab”),
450-ft2 ancillary-use area (“side lab”), and approximately 300 ft2 general use
area in the office warehouse. The main lab is used for sample login and
preparation, media and reagent preparation, membrane filtration, incubation,
culture maintenance, and reagent preparation for molecular methods. Two
biosafety cabinets, a fume hood, a laminar flow hood, and four centrifuges are
located in the main lab. The back lab contains gel electrophoresis and
hybridization equipment and is the only area in the building in which molecular
products are manipulated in the open. The back lab is kept separate from the
main lab to prevent contamination of incoming samples by molecular products. The
side lab contains a microscopy room (with a microscope with epifluorescence
capability), three PCR thermal cyclers (including a real-time Applied Biosystems
Model 7500), small autoclaves, and supply cabinets. The warehouse contains a
large autoclave, automatic dishwasher, deionized water source, and dishwashing
stations. The OWML currently operates with four refrigeration units, two –20C
freezers, two –70C freezers, four incubators, four water baths, three
autoclaves, and dissecting and fluorescence microscopes. Laboratory design and
quality assurance are appropriate for proper performance of analyses. This
includes water purification, air supply, and vacuum source. In the event of a
power outage, the OWML is equipped with a notification system and backup
generators to ensure that temperatures in all equipment remain consistent.
A laboratory information management system (LIMS) is being used by the OWML to
store sample login information, sample results, and associated quality control
results. This information is backed up daily and a copy of the information is
stored at an off-site location. The LIMS is used to store QA/QC records:
maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment, maintenance of
microbiological stock cultures and controls, and laboratory method QA/QC
results. The LIMS has been customized to produce reports of results that can be
easily uploaded into the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS).
Mission
The OWML provides microbiological data of public-health significance from
surface waters, ground waters, and sediments for a variety of study objectives.
The goals of the OWML are to:
- provide quality microbiological analytical services to
USGS projects for the analysis of environmental samples for bacterial
indicators, coliphage, enteric viruses, and protozoa.
- work with other government agencies, academic
institutions, and public utilities to develop and (or) test methods for
detection or enumeration of microorganisms of public-health significance in
the environment.
- provide assistance to other USGS employees for project
planning and training related to microorganisms of public-health
significance.
- continually develop projects and program that enhance our
understanding of the processes that affect microorganisms in the
environment.
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