UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS - - DIVISION OF SCIENCE AND MATH

 BIOLOGY STUDENTS AND THE DSM LABORATORY

DSM BIOLOGY LAB  DSM BIOLOGY LAB 


Laboratories are conducted to enhance further understanding of biology concepts. The following information will prove helpful to you as a student.

Contents

 

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IMPORTANT NUMBERS FOR AN EMERGENCY

Campus Security-- 1532/1500/1530

Campus Health Services -- 1120/ 1121/ 1122/ 1124

Ambulance -- Poison Control -- Fire -- Police -- 911

Department of Science and Math Safety Guidelines

To the Student:

Safety will be emphasized in all courses and you are to become familiar with all safety rules. Carefully read the section on laboratory safety in your lab manual and be aware of the various precautions to be taken while working in a laboratory. 

The following regulations are specifically called to your attention:

Students are not allowed to work in the laboratory alone or without the permission of the instructor.

Safety Goggles must be worn at all times in the lab. Prescription glasses, sunglasses, etc. are not allowed as your only protection. It is recommended that contact lenses not be worn in the labs because laboratory fumes may cause eye irritation.

Do not change a laboratory procedure without specific permission from the instructor.

Wear sensible clothing. Old clothes are best because many substances will cause holes to form in fabrics. Long pants and shoes must be worn because chemicals can cause irritation on contact with skin. Shorts and sandals are not permitted.

Smoking, eating, or drinking is not permitted in the lab.

Do not pipette liquids with mouth; use pipette bulbs.

Lachrymators (materials that cause secretion and discharge of tears) are to be kept in the hood at all times.

Do not attempt to force a glass tube or thermometer into a rubber stopper. The tube or thermometer should be lightly moistened with stopcock grease or glycerin and carefully inserted into the stopper. Do not lubricate with water because the water will evaporate and make it difficult to remove the tube later.

While connecting a rubber or Tygon hose to the outlet of a condenser, moisten the glass with water, gently insert the tube, and use rotating motion to connect the tube. This will prevent breakage of condenser arms and possible injury from it.

Disposal of excess or unwanted materials:

  • Aqueous solutions and water miscible organics (example, acetone) should be dumped in the sink with water running and washed down.
  • Immiscible organics should be poured into the waste bottle provided for the purpose. Under no conditions are acids or bases to be poured into the organic waste container (or vice versa) -- this may result in vigorous chemical reaction and possible explosion. Dangerous explosions have resulted from mixing, for example, acetone and nitric acid.
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  • Return to Contents Section of Safety Guidelines

Laboratory Accidents:

 

Notify your Instructor immediately.

Know the location and use of fire extinguishers, eye-washers, and safety showers in the lab.

Do not attempt to smother a fire in a beaker or flask with a fire extinguisher. The force of the stream of material from it will turn over the vessel and result in a bigger fire. Just place a watch glass or a wet towel over the container to cut off the supply of oxygen.

If your clothing is on fire, do not run because this only increases the burning. It is normally best to fall on the floor and roll over to smother the fire. If a fellow student, whose clothing is on fire panics and begins to run, attempt to get the student on the floor and roll over to smother the flame. If necessary, use the fire blanket or safety shower in the lab to smother the fire.

Students with long hair should put their hair in a bun or a pony-tail to avoid their hair catching fire.

For treatment of minor heat or flame burns, run cold water and apply burn ointment. More serious burns should be referred to the infirmary or physician immediately.

If you get chemicals in your eyes (in spite of the protective goggles), flush them with copious amounts of cold water. Get help from the Instructor if necessary.

Chemical spills on hands or arms should be washed immediately with soap and water. Washing hands should become an instinctive response to any chemical spilled on hands. Spills that cover clothing and other parts of the body should be drenched under the safety shower. If strong acids or bases are spilled on clothing, the clothing should be removed.

Chemical Precautions:

Read the label of the reagent bottle carefully before using. (A good example is the student who used "fuming" sulfuric acid instead of concentrated sulfuric acid. His experiment was exciting but no product was obtained).

Never return unused reagent to the reagent bottle.

Never take a reagent bottle to your bench.

Replace caps on reagent bottles after use.

Do not pipette anything with your mouth. Always use pipettes with rubber bulbs.

Most organic liquids are quite flammable and should be handled as you might handle gasoline. Never pour or transfer organic liquids near an open flame.

  • Hydrocarbons (petroleum ether, hexane, etc.) are quite flammable.
  • Ethers (such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran) are exceedingly flammable and are not used routinely in your laboratory; commonly methylene chloride is substituted for diethyl ether in your experiments.
  • Alcohols (methanol, ethanol) are somewhat less flammable than the hydrocarbons or ethers but should be handled with care and should not be heated on a flame or hot plate.
  • Benzene, Carbon tetrachloride, and Chloroform are highly toxic and are not routinely used in your labs.

Always be aware of the toxicity of substances while preparing for your laboratory. Handle all chemicals with care.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the commonly used chemicals are provided in the lab (room S205). These contain a wealth of information regarding the chemicals and must be consulted prior to using a chemical in the lab. The Merck Index also provides information on the toxicity and physiological effects of commonly used chemicals. This publication is available in the UVI library and a copy is available in the chemistry stockroom (room S201).

Mineral acids, especially perchloric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid react violently with organic compounds, such as acetone and Alcohols. Therefore, care must be taken when these are employed in experiments. Reaction vessels, washed with organic solvents like acetone must be dried thoroughly before introducing concentrated acids.

Always add acid to water.

Avoid breathing chemical vapors.

Clean skin promptly should contact occur with skin.

General Laboratory Rules

Do not remove the copy of the laboratory rule that is located in the Biology laboratory drawers/lockers at all times. If one is not present, inform the laboratory manager or your professor immediately. (note: Rules are also posted in the laboratory.)

Never enter storerooms S-111 or S-201 unless directed by the laboratory manager or a DSM faculty member to do so.

Always sign-out and sign-in any materials or equipment removed from rooms S-111 or S-201. Use borrowing card, which is located in room S20, to submit requests for equipment and materials.

Pay for all items lost or damaged during the semester unless excused by the laboratory manager or a DSM faculty member not to do so.

Always clean work area at the beginning and end of each laboratory session. This includes countertops, floors, etc. (Use a 10 % Bleach Solution or the equivalent for wiping countertops; A list of alternative disinfectants posted)

Always clean glassware and other equipment used at the end of each lab period. This includes test tubes, beakers, etc.

At the completion of laboratory procedures utilizing Tissue Embedding Medium, use a razor to remove solidified medium from laboratory countertops and other areas where spills have occurred.

Never pour Tissue Embedding Medium down the drain. It will cause a blockage.

Always dispose of regular and contaminated trash in the appropriate receptacle. If in doubt, consult the laboratory manager or a DSM faculty member.

At the completion of laboratory dissections, place animal(s), insect(s), etc. into plastic bags and seal bags with twist-ties for subsequent removal by university housekeeping staff.

Always place all materials requiring sterilization (via autoclave) in the area designated for contaminated materials. If in doubt, consult the laboratory manager or a DSM faculty member.

Never use Autoclave (Market Forge Sterilomatic) unless directed by the lab supervisor or a Department of Science and Math faculty member to do so. (Potential Burn Hazard)

Dispose of used pipettes in a 10% bleach solution or the equivalent. (Disinfectant only for use with Biohazard Materials; Other used pipettes, please wash and return to the designated area)

Always be present 5 minutes before and after scheduled lab sessions for pre- and post- laboratory inspections. Corrective actions must be taken immediately when deviations are pointed out by the inspector.

Always label all materials left in incubators, water baths, or ovens. Label should include student name, course #, date item was placed in area, and date item is to be removed from area. Consult Lab manager or your professor for the appropriate label.

Notify the lab supervisor or instructor when supplies in the lab drawer/locker are diminishing.

Note the location of these items in the Dept. of Science and Math (DSM) laboratory and building:

  • 1) First Aid Kit,
  • 2) MSDS Information,
  • 3) Fire Extinguisher,
  • 4) Chemical Storage Area,
  • 5) Eye Wash Station/Safety Showers,
  • 6) Spill Response Clean-up Kit,
  • 7) Fire Alarm, and
  • 8) Fire Blanket.

***Look for Room Layouts on Doors or Bulletin Boards in the Labs***

Always observe and practice Department of Science and Math Laboratory Safety Protocol. (Protocol posted and in lab drawers/lockers)

Never eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke in the Department of Science and Math Laboratories.

Never use laboratory glassware to store or heat food for consumption.

Never pipet anything by mouth.

Wear safety goggles in the DSM Laboratories at all times.

Never play around in any DSM laboratory.

Never block exits, aisles, or hallways.

Always wear appropriate lab clothing. This includes long pants or skirts, long sleeves, and closed-in shoes (no sandals and no bare feet). Additionally, lab coats must be worn when in DSM Laboratories.

Never leave an experiment unattended unless you have permission to do so.

Report all injuries at once to the laboratory manager or a DSM faculty member.

Always refer to the Department of Science and Math Laboratory Safety Guidelines before commencing laboratory experiments and as needed.

Carefully read all the laboratory rules, which are summarized above, and recognize that it is your responsibility to observe (practice) them throughout the regular semester and whenever utilizing DSM laboratory facilities. Failure to adhere to the following rules will result in disciplinary action.

Contact Faculty and Staff Here

Chairperson, Division of Science and Math
Dr. Adam Parr
Phone: (340) 693-1231
Fax: (340) 693-1245

Contact me at rstolz@uvi.edu 

Biology Professor
Dr. Alice Stanford
Phone: (340) 693-1242
Fax: (340) 693-1148

Contact me at astanfo@uvi.edu 

Biology Professor
Prof. Kwasi Barnes
Phone: (340) 693-1296
Fax: (340) 693-1148

Contact me at slorbac@uvi.edu 

Biology Professor
Dr. Richard Hall
Phone: (340) 693-1386
Fax: (340) 693-1385

Contact me at rhall@uvi.edu 

Biology Professor
Dr. Stephen Ratchford
Phone: (340) 693-1387
Fax: (340) 693-1385

Contact me at sratch@uvi.edu 

Biology Professor
Dr. Teresa Turner
Phone: (340) 693-1382
Fax: (340) 693-1385

Contact me at tturner@uvi.edu 

Biology Professor
Dr. Sandra Romano
Phone: (340) 693-1389
Fax: (340) 693-1385

Contact me at sromano@uvi.edu 

Biology Professor
Dr. Paul Jobsis
Phone: (340) 693-1235 
Fax: (340) 693-1385

Contact me at rhernan@uvi.edu 

Biology Professor
Dr. Donna Nemeth
Phone: (340) 693-1390
Fax: (340) 693-1385

Contact me at dnemeth@uvi.edu

 

Biology Professor
Dr. Michelle Peterson
Phone: (340) 692-3141
Fax: (340) 693-1385

Contact me at vpeters@uvi.edu

 

Biology Professor
Dr. Stuart Ketcham
Phone: (340) 692-4146
Fax: (340) 692-4115

Contact me at sketcka@uvi.edu

Laboratory Manager
Ms. Ann Marie Dublin
Phone: (340) 693-1241
Fax: (340) 693-1236

Contact me at adublin@uvi.edu 

Contact DSM Main Offices Locations

Classroom Administration Building, 3rd Floor, Room CA-317
St. Thomas, VI  00802
Phone: (340) 693-1230
Fax: (340) 693-1245

 

Main Office, STX campus

Melvin Evans Center, Room MEC-508A

St. Croix, VI 00850

Phone: (340) 692-4157

Fax: (340) 692-4115

 

Biology and Chemistry Resources via the Web

This area of the NBII provides educators, parents, and students of all ages with    access to online resources that emphasize the teaching of biology, biodiversity, and references for classroom and home use. 

This web site list links to help chemistry teachers in grades 9 through 12, and students may also find it useful.  It presents a comprehensive list of chemistry teaching resources on the Internet.

Developing hyper-linked, multimedia tutorials to supplement undergraduate chemistry education.

The following is a list of mailing lists, which deal with chemistry. There is a description of each list, how to subscribe and how to use the archives. If you know of any additions, ...

The new www.dow.com is here.  Preview the new ETHAFOAM* site For inquiries about product information, contact the [ About Dow | News Releases | New Businesses |Emulsion Polymers ..

This company provides the centralized collection and distribution of educational materials to science educators worldwide.

The catalog features searches by chemical name, catalog number or keyword for over 2,400 chemicals.  It also includes MSDSs.

      International chemical conglomerate and biotech manufacturer.

      International chemical conglomerate and biotech manufacturer.

      International chemical conglomerate and biotech manufacturer.

      Chemistry on the Net CONTENT This page is a compilation of chemistry (and more in general sciences) related information on the net. I try to update this list at least a couple of ...

      Last updated October 8, 1996 New and Exciting Chemistry Web Developments Chemscape Chime A Netscape Navigator Plug-in module that allows the user to view and manipulate chemical ...

A long list of different marine biology web sites dealing marine biology exploration.   It contains a list dedicated to coral reefs. 

 

·        Tropical Biology

Tropiweb is an information network about tropical nature with sections for biology professionals (in the fields of biology, biomedicine, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, etc.) and the general public (adults and children). Here you will find scientifically serious information including texts, photographs, illustrations, sounds, videos and interactive visits to several tropical ecosystems.

·        UC Davis Physical Sciences and Engineering Library

      UC Davis Physical Sciences and Engineering Library has made arrangements for online use.  The collection consists of more than 300,000 volumes arranged according to the Library of Congress classification system. The library subscribes to over 4,000 journals and has a large reference collection to facilitate research in engineering and the physical sciences.

 

  • AgDB The Directory of Agriculture-Related Databases, Datasets, and Information Systems (AgDB) is a project of the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC) of the National Agricultural Library.
  • The Agricultural Genome Information Servers (AGIS) Sequences from the Genome Informatics Group of the USDA, National Agricultural Library. Also provides access to AGRICOLA.
  • Atomic and Molecular Core-Edge Excitation Database The Atomic and Molecular Core-Edge Excitation Database is compiled by A. P. Hitchcock and prepared for electronic distribution by D. C. Mancini.
  • Atomic scattering factors for the elements A periodic table/form-based data resource.
  • The University of Minnesota Biocatalysis/ Biodegradation Database  A database prototype featuring information on biocatalytic reactions and biodegradation pathways for selected chemicals. "The goal of the UM-BBD is to provide information on microbial enzyme-catalyzed reactions that are important for biotechnology."
  • Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database (BMCD) The Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database (BMCD) contains crystal data and the crystallization conditions, which have been compiled from literature. These include proteins, protein: protein complexes, nucleic acid, nucleic acid: nucleic acid complexes, protein: nucleic acid complexes, and viruses.
  • BioSupplyNet An online directory of biotech research products and services updated weekly. This WWW site offers free searching in the Cold Spring Harbor Lab Manual Source Book database of laboratory products and suppliers.
  • ChemFinder WebServer (tm) The ChemFinder WebServer (CambridgeSoft Corp.), a chemical database, contains over 3500 compounds searchable by name, by chemical formula and by substructure.
  • Chemistry and Materials (NASA SCAN) Electronic Selected Current Aerospace Notices (E-SCAN): World Wide Web access to references taken from the NASA database.
  • Chemistry Index at Free University Berlin This is a collection of resources, many of them databases or files produced at FU Berlin. Included are files on Fundamental Physical Constants, Acronyms (with emphasis on chemistry and spectroscopy), and Amino Acids (arranged by name with the abbreviations and linear structural formulas).
  • EXTOXNET , Extension Toxicology Network This source contains over 130 Pesticide Information Profiles on specific pesticides and 18 Toxicology Information Briefs covering selected concepts and terms in toxicology, all aimed at the non- expert.
  • Fundamental Physical Constants A tabulation of the 1986 CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants.
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Use your online business system to search patents and trademarks.
  • GDB: Human Genome Data Base. The GDB Human Genome Data Base supports biomedical research, clinical practice, and professional and scientific education by providing human gene mapping information.
  • The Johns Hopkins University BioInformatics Web Server This site contains Prot-Web, a Collection of Protein Databases (OWL, PIR, NRL_3D etc.) which contain links to one another as well as links to other databases around the world.
  • Klotho: Biochemical Compounds Declarative Database There were 439 unique compounds in the database as of 2/19/95. It is part of an attempt to model biological processes, beginning with biochemistry.
  • MedChem/Biobyte WWW Server This server is maintained by the Medcinal Chemistry Project as a service to the chemistry community and by Biobyte Corp. to provide information about it's products. Includes: MedChem Names Database - Over 30,000 compounds. QSAR Database - 6,000 datasets; physical and biological systems.
  • MicroPatent Web Services (PatentWEB) U.S. Patents from 1974 forward are accessible on the PatentWEB (TM) with free Full Test searching of recent patents. Fee-based searches, translations and document delivery services are available. User registration required.
  • NMR Periodic Table A magnetic properties database provided WebElements.
  • Nucleic Acid Database (NDB) Archive. NDB at Rutgers University is accessible also by gopher service.
  • Periodic Tables The Chemistrycoach presents a comprehensive list of different Periodic Table resources on the Internet.
  • Questel Orbit Patent and Trademark WWW Server This is an excellent source for information about patents, with links to the other patent sources mentioned in this section.
  • The United States Copyright Office Here you will find all our key publications, including informational circulars; application forms for copyright registration; links to the copyright law and to the home pages of other copyright-related organizations; news of what the Office is doing, including Congressional testimony and press releases; our latest regulations; a link to our online copyright records cataloged since 1978; and much more.
  • Chemical Substances Factsheets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chemical Substance Factsheets.  This web site is offered though the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
  • U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) NASA is deeply committed to spreading the unique knowledge that flows from its aeronautics and space research and highlighting the international nature of science and underscoring the importance of math and science education in today's era of globalization.
  • The Microbiology Network The Microbiology Network serves as a communication resource for the microbiologist. The objective of this service is to encourage communication within the microbiology and biotechnology community. Another extensive set of hyperlinks to other microbiology-related sites is also available through the Virtual Library: Microbiology & Virology web site.                              
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine Gopher.  The gopher to gopher.nlm.nih.gov. The NLM gopher contains information about the library and selected reference materials. It also provides access to Locator, NLM's online catalog system and to MEDLARS and TOXNET (for those with access codes).
  • All the Virology on the WWW All the Virology on the WWW seeks to be the best single site for Virology information on the Internet. We have collected all the virology related Web sites that might be of interest to our fellow virologists, and others interested in learning more about viruses.
  • WAIS WAIS (an abbreviation for Wide Area Information System) supports retrieval      of documents from databases via full-text search. One of the particular features of WAIS is that it supports the notion of directories of servers, which can be searched for the name of a particular source (if you happen to know of a source of particular interest), or by topic (if you don't).
  • WAIS through the Web - References The Environmental Resources Information Network is setting up a series of information retrieval services that allow ready access to key information about the Australian environment through an easy to use interface.   The information is maintained by various custodians over a network.
  • WebElements (Periodic Table) This includes the Periodic Table database, an Isotope Pattern Calculator, and an Element percentage calculator. This is a true periodic table with data supplied by Mark Winter at the Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield. Also there is a link to the home site of WebElements.

 

·        Go to DSM Chemical Related Information

·        Return to Contents Section

 

Page Last Updated: AUGUST 23rd, 2006


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