Build and use a Still-air box for aseptic handling 26 Workshop

2026-08-09T20:40:00Z

Dannyc: updated with basic information based on initial prep work

= Build and use a still-air box for aseptic handling of (bacterial) samples workshop =

== Abstract ==

Come to this workshop to learn to make a simple and extensible still-air box and/or to learn about how to operate one safely by participating in an hands on activity separating mixtures of commercially available bacteria using the streak-plate method.

== Day / Time / Location ==

Day 2, Saturday, 15-August-2026, 9:30pm - 11:30pm 
Workshop A (Sutton Place, third floor)

== Full Description ==

Tiny particles can have all sorts of living things attached or may even be alive themselves! One basic method when working with biology is keeping the organisms you want away from the organisms you don’t. To this end, a still-air box can help you prevent contamination if you are manipulating materials for plant tissue culture, mycology, microbiology, or other fields requiring a reduction of airborne contaminants. In addition to keeping contaminants “out,” ensuring that you don’t grow anything you don’t intend, proper use of a still-air box can also help with keeping your sample “in,” ensuring that the risk of exposure to anything unknown is mitigated.

In this workshop 5 still-air boxes will be set up. Participants can learn about about different methods and design considerations for building a still air box from the presenter who as used them to safely isolate unknown bacteria.

A mixture of commercially available pigmented bacteria will be provided as well as gloves, sterile swabs and sterile petri dishes filled with solid media. With proper technique, these tools can be used in the still air boxes to separate the mixture of bacteria. Lessons from this activity have broad applicability to all sorts of still-air box activities.

The presenter will coach participants in proper technique. It should take about 5-15 minutes per participant, '''come anytime before the the last 10 minutes to get a place working in a box (first-come first serve)'''. We will run for as long as I have sterile media to provide (~25 plates)

== Registration -- NOT required ==

'''NOTE: You do NOT need to register to take this workshop -- please show up early to ensure a seat at the WORKSHOP A room (in Sutton Place, on the third floor).''' 

== Presenter ==

Danny Chan

A microbiologist and community organizer who is passionate about frugal and open science. He received his MSc in microbiology during the course of his PhD candidacy at the University of Chicago studying the interaction of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with a model system of organotypic human keratinocytes. He has been a research technician for many years in multiple fields including cellulostic ethanol production, protein crystallography, prefrontal cortex development and heat shock proteins. He also worked as a medical editor, fact checking pharmaceutical ads in an agency. The common set of skills underlying his practice are molecular biology, non-hierarchical community participation, and scientific inquiry which he is committed to employ in support of radical communities rooted in justice and scholarship.

Currently he organizes with groups that are maintaining cooperative infrastructure in New York City. At Prime Produce he’s contributing to the operations of a building in Hell’s Kitchen, at Biotech Without Borders he helps with maintaining a BSL1 lab, and at Women’s Press Collective he participates in the maintenance and operation of colour offset presses. He also participated in the online scholarly communities of Translate Science and the Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship.

You can find him in cyberspace on the fediverse @danwchan@scholar.social; or in meatspace at the Biotech Without Borders lab, or Prime Produce.

== Materials ==

Any materials needed to participate in this workshop will be available. Donations encouraged to cover the costs in cash or via venmo. 
Observers are welcome at no cost. 

'''To do the hands-on portion for this workshop:'''
'''Materials Cost:'''
* '''$0 - $10 suggested donation to streak a plate(s) and bring home your coloured bacteria'''
* '''$40 to take home a still air box at the end of the night'''

You can take one of the 5 boxes home at the end of the night if you cover the material costs. Please note they are quite large (H 15.5in x W 18in x D 15in), I've taken them on Amtrak easily and on the Subway. Smaller ones can be fabricated at the site of your specific operations.

== Required Software / What to bring ==

Bring your curiosity and questions about your projects that may require working under sterile/aseptic conditions.

== Links ==

[put helpful links here] ... coming

HOPE Wiki - User contributions [en]

Build and use a Still-air box for aseptic handling 26 Workshop