Selecting Life Science Enclosures-DO NOT USE

It’s no secret; the importance of life science research is at an all-time high. With the pandemic producing unique research goals aided by new funding, labs are finding improved methods to conduct science. Cutting edge discoveries demand costly facilities and instruments. And, renovations of laboratory spaces with high flexibility are the norm.

Within the walls of these growing laboratory spaces are critical enclosures and hoods for life science that support scientists each day, the biosafety cabinet (BSC) – a centerpiece of nearly any bioscience-focused laboratory. When selecting a BSC, it is imperative to keep long-term goals in mind, focus on sustainability, and maintain a level of flexibility that ensures product relevance for today’s challenges, and those 15 years from now.

Understanding the Science

By and large, the criteria for properly handling life science samples has not significantly changed for the last several decades. Cells, viruses, and other biologically significant structures are often fragile and may be easily contaminated - so they must be handled in a sterile environment. If samples are not protected, contamination is likely to occur. Even the slightest contamination of biological samples may create significant disruptions to a laboratory’s research focus, potentially ruining years of findings.

To protect sensitive life science work, samples at risk for contamination are typically handled in laboratory hoods that produce HEPA filtered air into the hood’s internal working area. Enclosures that provide only clean HEPA filtered air are known as Laminar Flow Hoods or Clean Benches. Clean Benches provide a clean, sterile work area but offer no protection from hazardous samples and therefore have limited use. These enclosures are regularly used for work including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sample prep.

Investigators often utilize human cells to model biochemical or physiological behaviors and to evaluate drug candidates in vitro at a fraction of the cost of in vivo testing. Human cells are biohazardous and must be handled in a sterile enclosure that simultaneously contains these hazards. The most common enclosure that offers both Product and Personnel protection is the Class II BSC. BSC cabinets utilize an interior blower that draws air into the hood and purifies the air through HEPA filters before returning air to the work area of the hood, or back into the lab.

Sustainable Operation

Evaluating a biosafety cabinet’s sustainability contributions goes beyond baseline energy consumption figures. With operational costs for biosafety cabinets so low ($50/day when recirculated), sustainable operation can be recognized not in energy savings, but in reducing the wastefulness of a BSC’s components and service requirements. Selecting biosafety cabinets with a cost-effective price point typically results in higher service intervals, with more frequent and costly HEPA filter replacements – a service that places a toxic sterilizing gas into the biosafety cabinet, generates biohazardous waste for incineration, and generates emissions from the visit of a servicer. These blind costs are difficult to record, yet directly impact the sustainability impact of a cabinet at a facility.

Flexibility

Research is constantly changing and growing, and with those changes come shifting needs and expectations from equipment in the lab. BSCs are no exception. And, as a safety device, biosafety cabinets have historically had limited flexibility. Today, BSCs are designed to last multiple decades. The decisions surrounding BSC selection have become critical. Fortunately, there exists an easy choice: the Axiom, Type C1 BSC.

Class II, Type C1 BSCs provide all of the safety and comfort of a standard biosafety cabinet. Personnel and Product protection are provided. Furthermore, Type C1 BSCs are flexible and may be converted between recirculating A mode, and B mode – a configuration that allows for safe handling with chemical fumes used in adjunct to microbiological procedures. This flexibility eliminates frustration when purchasing a biosafety cabinet, because the Type C1 is suitable for any application a researcher may encounter over their time in the laboratory.

Navigating Next Steps

Selecting biosafety cabinets requires careful planning prior to execution. With any safety product, engage your support network before rushing to purchase. Consult with your biosafety office for guidance, as they may have specific requirements or configuration recommendations in your facility. Engage your in-house and vendor technical resources to understand all options available to you – including those that best fit your work. And most importantly, evaluate how your biosafety cabinet purchase will support your needs not only today, but during an important discovery in the next decade.