The Biology and Microbiology Laboratory supports water quality monitoring programs through standardized and innovative methods to achieve the objectives set by the Water Framework Directive (DMA 2000/60 / EC)
Applications
- Monitoring of cyanobacteria blooms and their toxins (microcystins) in surface waters
- Analysis of microbiological indicators (E. coli, Enterococcos, Coliforms, Clostridium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) to determine the quality of drinking and recreational waters
- Analysis of biological indicators for the determination of the ecological state of the waters
- Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of microorganisms (antibiograms)
- Acute and chronic toxicity tests with algae, invertebrates and fish following standard protocols (ISO, OECD)
- Microcosm and mesocosm tests at the population and community level
Equipment
- Microscopy unit: the microscopy unit is equipped with high-quality optical microscopes, with high-resolution photo-mounting systems, to facilitate identification and counting microscopic organisms:
- Light microscope, Olympus CX41
- Stereo microscope, Olympus SZX10
- Stereo microscope, Olympus SZX7
- Stereo microscope, Olympus SZ51
- Digital photo camera, Olympus
- Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins Unit:
- Incubator for cyanobacteria and bacteria cultures
- Rotary evaporator with a cooling system, Buchi, for extraction of cyanotoxins
- Solid Phase extraction equipment, for concentrating toxin extracts.
- Molecular Biology Unit:
- Electrophoresis gels documentation system AlphaImager
- Real-time PCR (AB7300) for quantitative and qualitative gene studies
- Nano-photometer (Epoch) for the quantification of DNA and RNA
- Gel electrophoresis equipment (Biorad) for DNA and RNA
- Thermocycler (PCR) for DNA amplification
- Homogenizer for DNA extraction (Precellys)
- Ecotoxicology Unit:
- Incubators for testing under standard conditions
- Cultures of algae, invertebrates and fish
- Tanks of different sizes for standard and microcosm tests
- Bathtubs with automatic temperature and lighting regulation
- Field equipment for ecological monitoring of rivers:
- Equipment for measuring temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and pH in situ
- Temperature data loggers (Gemini Tinytag Explorer)
- Electrical contact indicator
- GPS
- Screens and networks for macroinvertebrate and phytoplankton sampling
- Flowmeter
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PCR Thermocycler, to perform PCR reaction |
Gel Documentation System, AlphaImager, for documentation of gel electropheresis |
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Incubator for cyanobacteria and bacteria cultures |
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