Sterilization chamber

Two sterilization chambers

The two sterilization units of the faculty, the large Belimed located at the dept of Microbiology and the smaller Linden at the dept of Neurophysiology, are indexed under the financial flag of the dept of General Instrumentation.

Belimed autoclave

The Belimed autoclave is a versatile device which bears a large sterilization chamber suitable for substantial volumina. It is possible to apply programming of complex sequences of sterilization. This device is located on the site of the largest user, in room HG02.444 at the Dept of Microbiology. Accordingly, the practical and technical support is provided by people of Microbiology: primarily by Katinka van de Pas-Schoonen, and by Harry Harhangi as backupper. All research and teaching departments of the Nijmegen faculty of Science who need to sterilize goods or liquid substances with the Belimed can use this device. However, they should FIRST receive instructions from the person in charge. Of course, one expects that users of the autoclave will work in a clean and ordered manner in this environment with high risks for contamination. Note that ML1 norms should be strictly respected in this room (see more here below).

Work procedure and programs of the Belimed (Work procedure for the Belimed (pdf, 105 kB))

Linden autoclave

The Linden autoclave (type Linden ECO MK4 6/6/6/ DEVE, sn Li3024) in room HG02.235 is used by authorized persons of the science faculty (groups from: DCN, IMM, RIBES and for the practical courses in cell biology). This relatively small autoclave hosted by the Dept of Neurophysiology serves for sterilization of media and utensiles for the cell culture and for the destruction of bacterial and eukaryotic cells (dry or wet=steam programs at standard or MLI level) cultured on that floor. the Linden autoclave can also be utilized as a –limited- backup instrument in case of failure of the large Belimed autoclave located at the Microbiology department. Persons who want to use this Linden autoclave should contact the responsible technicians to get instructions on the operation, DebbieTilburg-Ouwens and Dorine Schonhoven-van Eeuwijk.

Work procedure for the Linden: Use and programs Linden (pdf, 426 kB)

MLI directions

The ML1 directions should be observed when using the autoclaves!!! The detailed protocols can be found in the sterilization rooms and in this document: "Workprotocol ML1 (pdf, 142 kB)" . One should wear a VMT (Veilige Microbiologische Technieken = safe Microbiological Techniques) labcoat when loading the chamber. The labdoor should be kept closed during the loading process. All material should be labeled and dated. Also name of user, date, type of sterilization should be noted in the logbook. Assistance can be provided by the persons in charge (see names in the right column) .

Solid MLI trash is transported in special white buckets containing a sealed plastic bag. The bag needs to be opened during the sterilization process. Liquid ML1 trash has to be transported in closed bottles or in erlenmeyers closed with aluminium foil. These glass bottles/erlenmeyers should be transported within a closed bucket.