Schematic drawing of two laboratory rooms.

Lab space

The Ishaq Lab consists of two adjacent laboratory rooms at the University of Maine. These are organized by type of work, to minimize cross-contamination and maximize organizational flow

Schematic drawing of two laboratory rooms.
Schematic drawing of two laboratory rooms.

The Genomics Space

Panorama of the Ishaq Lab Molecular Genetics space.
Panorama of the Ishaq Lab Molecular Genetics space, taken in 2021.

The Genomics lab space is a 380-sq. ft. “clean space” for genomics and cell culturing. It is adjacent to but physically separated from the second Ishaq lab research laboratory room, to reduce cross contamination, and assure the quality of our laboratory work. This space contains equipment specific to DNA extraction, PCR and qPCR, sequencing library preparation, electrophoresis, and other genomic-specific protocols, as well as mammalian cell culture and microscopy.

  • Biosafety level II cabinet and a PCR BSL2 cabinet
  • Blots: Biorad Trans-blot Turbo, Licor C-digit 3600 blot scanner
  • Chemical hoods
  • DNA quantification: Qubit 3 (loaned by the Romero Lab)
  • Electrophoresis gel and DNA quantification: ABI 2100 Bioanalyzer
  • Electrophoresis gel illuminator
  • High-speed centrifuges: Eppendorf 5424R, Eppendorf 5702R
  • Incubators: 2 water-jacketed CO2 incubator
  • Liquid handler: eppendorf epMotion 5075
  • Microscope: Olympus CK40-F100
  • PCR: ABI Quantstudio 6 Flex digital real-time PCR machine with 384-well plate
  • pH meters
  • Photolysis Box: Biotium PMA-LED lite
  • Pipettes
  • Qubit 3
  • Refrigeration: -20°C freezer and 4°C fridge/-20°C freezer unit
  • Sample disruptors and mixers: Qsonica q700 sonicator, OMNI GLH LR60902 homogenizer, Bead beater
  • Water baths and heating blocks

  • Ishaq Lab Molecular Genetics space.

The Microbial Culture Space

Panorama of the Ishaq Lab Microbiology space.
Panorama of the Ishaq Lab Microbiology space, taken in 2021.

The Microbial lab space is 522-sq ft. “dirty space” for microbial cell culture, protein analysis, and other chemical analysis. This space contains equipment specific to microbial cell culture, microscopy, and biochemical analysis.

  • Anaerobic chamber Coy Type C
  • Chemical hoods
  • Freezers: a -80°C freezer and a 4°C fridge/-20°C freezer unit
  • Gram stain centrifuge
  • High-speed centrifuges: Eppendorf Vacufuge Plus, Eppendorf 5804R
  • Microbalances: Fischer ALF204
  • Microscopes: 3 light microscopes, two with cameras
  • Nitrogen evaporator: Organomation Associates N-evap-11
  • Oven: Fischer 255G
  • pH meters
  • Pipettes
  • Sample disruptors and mixers: Thermo 2345-1CE rotator
  • Spectrophotometer: SpectraMax iD3
  • Vacuum: Fischer MaximaDry, vacuum aspirator
  • Water baths and heating blocks
  • Water purification: Milli-Q Milli-Q and Q-pad
A microbiology lab, with an anaerobic chamber and a reverse osmosis water purification machine along the back wall, a cabinet to the left, a black-topped lab bench in the midground with dark blue metal cabinets underneath.
An image of a microscope.
A close-up picture of petri dishes containing a light yellow film of microbes.
Anaerobic chamber
Anaerobic chamber

Land Acknowledgement

“The University of Maine recognizes that it is located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation, where issues of water and territorial rights, and encroachment upon sacred sites, are ongoing. Penobscot homeland is connected to the other Wabanaki Tribal Nations — the Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Micmac — through kinship, alliances and diplomacy. The university also recognizes that the Penobscot Nation and the other Wabanaki Tribal Nations are distinct, sovereign, legal and political entities with their own powers of self-governance and self-determination.”

University of Maine land acknowledgement