Our Infrastructure

Offices

Primary workstations for all group members, each equipped with computers used for data analysis, bioinformatics work, and laboratory protocol preparation.

Meeting Room

A shared space in the central section of the building used for weekly progress meetings, work distribution, and collaborative planning — and the occasional team lunch.

Isolation & Pre-PCR Laboratory

The group’s primary laboratory and active sample storage space. Contains all equipment needed to prepare and process samples, from hazardous material workstations and laminar flow cabinets to thermocyclers and tissue layers. Regularly cleaned and disinfected to minimize cross-contamination.

Post-PCR Laboratory

Focused on analysis and obtaining results. Contains analysis devices for measuring and inspecting samples, including a Sanger sequencer and Agilent Bioanalyzer. Connected to a smaller side-room housing an electrophoresis device for gel electrophoresis experiments.

Cellular Culture Laboratory

Separate from the main labs and used exclusively for vulnerable and volatile samples such as environmental DNA. Access is heavily restricted to prevent contamination of these sensitive samples.

Ancient DNA Laboratory

Located in the cellar and used exclusively for the most vulnerable and contamination-prone samples. Work here is reserved only for problematic samples not suitable for other laboratories. Access is strictly limited.

Microbiological Collection

A small storage room in the cellar for older samples and archived material. Stores everything from dry samples and bones to faecal matter, blood, and a portion of the field group’s equipment.

Field Storage

A larger storage room in the cellar housing all material required for fieldwork — from butterfly nets and camera traps to tomahawk traps for small mammal sampling.