Playing dirty with virus transmission

In this issue of JEM, Fay et al. (2021. J. Exp. Med.https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20211220) cohouse dirty pet store mice and rats with clean laboratory mice to gain insights into infection dynamics, discover new viruses, and identify relationships between viruses and the microbiome.

Towards the Optimization of eDNA/eRNA Sampling Technologies for Marine Biosecurity Surveillance

The field of eDNA is growing exponentially in response to the need for detecting rare and invasive species for management and conservation decisions. Developing technologies and standard protocols within the biosecurity sector must address myriad challenges associated with marine environments, including salinity, temperature, advective and deposition processes, hydrochemistry and pH, and contaminating agents. These approaches must also provide a robust framework that meets the need for biosecurity management decisions regarding threats to human health, environmental resources, and economic interests, especially in areas with limited clean-laboratory resources and experienced personnel. This contribution aims to facilitate dialogue and innovation within this sector by reviewing current approaches for sample collection, post-sampling capture and concentration of eDNA, preservation, and extraction, all through a biosecurity monitoring lens.

Monitoring of microbial contamination of the educational and scientific clean laboratory module

The production environment in pharmaceutical industry should not be a source of microbial contamination of the product. The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of changes in the microbial contamination level in clean rooms. The study was conducted at the educational and scientific clean room module of the Biotechnology Department of the Obninsk Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering (IATE NRNU MEPhI). It was shown that the level of contamination of surfaces in production facility increases with the presence of personnel on the premises. The degree of microbial contamination of the air varies slightly depending on the type of activity and the number of personnel on premises. The compliance of the investigated clean room module with class D for clean rooms was confirmed. It was concluded that it is necessary to monitor microbial contamination of premises more often, as well as to implement the sanitary treatment in order to eliminate the sources of spore-forming microflora.

Optimal Design and Fabrication of “CEDRA” Rescue Robot Using Genetic Algorithm

This article presents an overview of the mechanical design features, fabrication and control of a Rescue Robot (CEDRA) for operation in unstructured environments. As a preliminary step, the essential characteristics of a robot in damaged and unstable situations have been established. According to these features and kinematical equations of the robot, design parameters are optimized by means of Genetic Algorithm. Optimum parameters are then utilized in construction. Upon fabrication, this unit has been tested in clean laboratory environment, as well as, ill-conditioned arenas similar to earthquake zones. The obtained results have been satisfactory in all aspects, and improvements are currently underway to enhance capabilities of the rescue robot unit for various applications.