Part of my Life in the Lab Series.

Here I summarise what each of my scientific roles have entailed.

As a Microbiology Analyst, what does the day entail?

07:00 (every 6 months or so)

Collect jugular blood (for heparin testing) from sheep as they are culled in an abattoir

10:30 hrs -Start shift

Check daily roster
Control Schedule 8 Drugs (issue, receive and dispose) and ensure figures align
Conduct viable environmental monitoring of class 100 / 10 000 (A/B) cleanrooms
Check all validation tags on incubators, thermometers, water baths, laminar flow hoods, air samplers and anything else requiring periodic re-certification
Read previous days’ environmental monitoring media (contact plates, ait strips, swabs, print plates, bioburden samples, WFI samples) – record results and bring any out of limit results to the attention of supervisor
Sample cooling towers for Legionella
Update documentation
Update viable environmental monitoring diagrams

12:00hrs – 15 minute break

Sample WFI from mixing rooms, washing rooms, packing rooms while checking and recording temperature of water
Return to lab and place sample bottles in fridge
Process any room monitoring swabs returned from production after wiping down laminar flow hood with sterile wipe ad 70% IPA (monitor cleanrooms while in production if assigned task – here ensure room airlock differentials are within limits and visually inspect everything for integrity and observer if production staff following established procedures)
Prepare and filter WFI samples
Prepare and filter bioburden samples (in process samples taken from production, both pre and post filter) – conduct method validation when necessary, including update or creation of documentation
Conduct validation of Sampling equipment including writing of Validation Report
Conduct investigative monitoring of cleanrooms, water system airlocks and other
Train staff in sampling techniques
Enter viable environmental monitoring data into LIMS system and product reports / check others’ entries
Read / examine sterile media fill samples for any positives
Setup and conduct container closure testing

14:00hrs – 45 minute lunch

LAL / endotoxin testing of WFI samples
Monitor mixing and washing rooms that I’ve decided to do today (I have a week to capture all rooms on a rotational grid basis – again ensure room airlock differentials are within limits and visually inspect everything for integrity)
More swab processing
Prepare and filer WFI samples
Sample production operator’s gown and prints as part of validation and on going certification
Start autoclave run
More swab processing
Determine filling schedule for tomorrow – prepare sampling forms and environmental monitoring media for the next day. Label everything

16:30hrs – 15 minute break

Process rubber bungs as part of production autoclave cycle validation
Conduct viable environmental monitoring of class 100 / 10 000 (A/B) cleanrooms
Sample compressed air for bioload
More swab processing
Assist dedicated bacteriologist with bacteriology
Conduct incoming quality assurance on biological indicators (both strips and liquid)
Ensure waste bins not filled past line
Redesign and (re)validate autoclave loading patterns

19:00 – Depart for home

Microbiological Musings