Lab Bench Organization for Molecular Biology Research

Each lab essential has a distinct role in molecular biology research. PPE, including gloves, lab coats, masks, and safety goggles, helps provide a barrier between the researcher and potential hazards. Pipettes enable precise measurements of liquid volumes, while multi-well plates and petri dishes serve as platforms for growing cultures or conducting assays. Enzymes, lab consumables, and buffers are vital components in various molecular biology techniques. Giving each of these items a proper place on the lab bench allows researchers to focus their time on their lab work.

Gloves, lab coats, masks, and safety goggles placed within reach

Proper storage of gloves, lab coats, masks, and safety goggles is important for ease of access and longevity. They should be stored in a clean, dry and easily accessible area. Gloves and masks should be stored away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. For some labs, it is required to have on all the appropriate PPE before going to the lab bench or entering an area where experiments are being conducted. It is still advisable to have extra gloves and supplies located at the bench for tears or if contamination is a concern. Maintaining an ample supply is crucial to ensure that researchers always have access to these protective tools.

Pro Tip: Change disposable lab coats or launder reusable lab coats frequently to minimize cross contamination in experiments and help keep researchers safe.

Labelling of equipment and lab supplies

Labels serve as a means of communication among lab members in a shared or individual workspace. They can be utilized to designate specific areas on a shelf or to indicate the contents of a container. Label all lab equipment, samples, and the storage location such as drawers or shelves. This simple practice allows for easy tracking and retrieval of supplies. Utilizing a labeling system for samples or specimens is crucial in research to help eliminate uncertainties and enable accurate identification. Dates, initials, or a combination thereof can be included on the labels for additional information. Provide as much detail as possible when labeling samples. By implementing a comprehensive labeling system, researchers can streamline their workflow and maintain accurate sample identification throughout their experiments.

Pipettes organized based on use case and calibrated volume 

Pipettes should be arranged according to their volume range for easy identification. Regular calibration helps ensure their accuracy, while accessible non-contaminated pipette tips help prevent cross-contamination between samples. Set up your pipette tips in an accessible location with the sizes used most frequently closest to you, and increase the volume from left to right, or front to back accordingly.

Multi-well plates and petri dishes ready for use

To help prevent contamination, these items should be kept in sealed packages until use and handled with clean, gloved hands. Once used in an experiment, the proper labeling and stacking of multi-well plates and petri dishes helps prevent mix-ups and saves space. Storing the plates or dishes in zip top bags can help keep your freezer organized and prevent an avalanche of plates!

Enzymes, buffers and other reagents at the ready

Enzymes, buffers and reagents should be stored as described in the manufacturer's instructions because different reagents have different requirements. For instance, some may need refrigeration, while others require a dry, room-temperature environment. Accidently storing a reagent at the wrong temperature can hasten its expiration. When using enzymes, they should be stored in an ice bucket or a cold block to prevent them from warming while preparing for an experiment. If available, have a -20 Celsius freezer under your bench or an easy-to-access shared freezer.

Waste receptacles within arm’s reach for easy disposal

Waste receptacles should be conveniently located to facilitate proper disposal procedures. When working with any hazardous waste materials, be sure to have the proper containment measures in place. For materials like wrapping or discarded boxes, have a recycle bin nearby—check your local recycling guidelines before placing in items in a recycling bin. Also keep small waste containers on your bench for solids (e.g., pipet tips and microfuge tubes) and liquid waste (e.g., washes and supernatants). This helps prevent you from having to leave your workbench to properly dispose of trash or hazardous waste while conducting your research. Clean and disinfect your lab bench and materials, checking for spills or contamination after each experiment to help prevent cross-contamination. Once your experiment is complete, then you can dispose of the small containers into the proper general lab waste containers to clean up your area.

Pro Tip: Use RNAse decontamination solutions designed to accomplish clean-up steps instead of relying on generic cleaners.

Regular audits help maintain organization and safety in the lab. These audits should include checks for expired reagents, damaged equipment, and adherence to storage guidelines. Scheduling these audits at regular intervals, such as monthly or quarterly, helps ensure that any issues are identified and addressed promptly. Ensure you have all reagents and supplies restocked at your bench before starting an experiment. This will help minimize interruptions to the workflow, thereby increasing efficiency. 

Pro Tip: Restocking the lab bench once a week is a good practice.

When implementing an efficient lab bench layout, first list the items you use in order from most to least frequent. Then organize your lab bench with the most frequently used items nearest to your work area, which will help ensure items are nearby and on-hand while executing experiments. Having tools and reagents properly located will help reduce muscle strain or unwanted spills by avoiding excessive reaching or cluttered positioning of equipment and supplies.

Pro Tip: Include the vendor and part numbers of items for easy re-ordering. Consider the above tips when adjusting or developing an efficient lab layout.