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At the cutting
edge of cancer research is Cancer Research UK's Molecular
Oncology Unit at Bart's and the London Medical School, Queen
Mary University of London.
Based in the
John Vane Science Building, under the direction of Prof Nick
Lemoine, researchers seek to develop genetic intervention
strategies to treat and prevent cancer based on a complete
understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease.
Bart's and The London Medical School has been fortunate enough
to win a SHRIF bid which has allowed them to refurbish a complete
laboratory suite for the Molecular Oncology Laboratory. Janet
England, the Laboratory Manager is excited at the prospect
of taking over the newly refurbished facility. "Quite
a lot of the equipment needed replacing," she says, "So
this was a real opportunity to meet current specifications."
But it might not have happened. Installation was well under
way when Deedscan, the Main Contractor, was told that unforeseen
problems at the autoclave supplier meant that they could not
meet the delivery date. David Corbett, Deedscan's Managing
Director was, understandably, worried. "We thought that
the whole contract was going to be seriously delayed,"
he says, "but Bill Discombe, our Chief Engineer, suggested
we talk to Astell."
Astell was
able to juggle their production schedule and produce the requisite
two 750
litre Square Section sterilisers within a matter
of weeks. The units meet all the specifications with eight
user programmes and sixteen individual cycles which are user-adjustable
and PIN protected. Like all Astell autoclaves, they fully
comply with HSE.PM73. The 316L stainless steel pressure vessels
are manufactured in accordance with ENPED97/23EC and the doors
are fitted with two adjustable cooling locks, which prevent
the autoclave being opened before it is cool.
The sort of
loads that need to be sterilised vary depending on the activities
in the laboratory but, typically, include experimental and
analytical glassware, instruments, packaging, culture media
and chemical solutions. In addition, under duty of care legislation,
any waste material which is potentially bio-hazardous has
to be sterilised prior to disposal.
In cancer research,
as in all medical and clinical laboratories, sterility is
paramount. By sterility we mean the statistically complete
destruction of all micro-organisms including the most resistant
bacteria and spores. This is a condition that is difficult
to achieve and hard to prove. Whilst some autoclaves provide
only pressure monitoring, Astell autoclaves all have facilities
for monitoring the temperature right through the sterilisation
cycle and this can be recorded in accordance with Good Laboratory
Practice.
As part of
the commissioning
programme, Astell validated the autoclaves during May 2004,
by installing 12.10 thermocouples, to establish suitable loading
configurations and cycle parameters which will assure repeatability
of performance. Astell's UKAS accreditation means that the
validation documentation is fully traceable
and is your guarantee of quality.
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