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The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Reston Microbiology Lab (RML) is housed in approximately 1700 ft2 of lab space in the National Center building in Reston, VA. Our expertise is in microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and geomicrobiology and we utilize microbiology, molecular biology, and biogeochemistry techniques.
RMLis housed in approximately 1700 ft2 of lab space in the National Center building in Reston, VA. Our expertise is in microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and geomicrobiology and we utilize microbiology, molecular biology, and biogeochemistry techniques.
The lab is equipped with four fume hoods, a Coy anaerobic chamber, walk-in incubator, autoclave, and microbiology, cultivation, and biogeochemistry equipment. We perform next-generation sequencing using Illumina MiSeq 16S iTag sequencing, PacBio genomic sequencing, Illumina HiSeq metagenomic and genomic sequencing, and Oxford Nanopore GridION genomic sequencing. Sequencing is performed at external laboratories.
Molecular Biology Equipment
FastPrep 24 Bead-beater for DNA extractions
3 AirScience laminar flow hoods with UV sterilization
4 PCR thermocyclers
2 quantitative PCR (qPCR) thermocyclers
Gel electrophoresis equipment and a Kodak Gel Doc Imager
Ultracentrifuge for DNA-stable isotope probing
Microbiology Equipment
A walk-in incubator
3 floor model incubators
Autoclave
Water baths
3 -80ºC freezers
Numerous refrigerators and -20ºC freezers
A Coy Laboratories anaerobic chamber with an Auto Airlock, Gas Leak Detector, and Gas Analyzer
Gassing stations for anaerobic cultivation
Zeiss Axio Imager A1 epifluorescent microscope equipped with a digital color camera and imaging software
Class II Biological Safety Cabinet for aerobic cultivation.
Biogeochemistry Equipment
Hewlett Packard 6890 Series II gas chromatograph with a thermal conductivity detector (GC-TCD)
Shimadzu GC17A gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and split-splitless injection ports