Internal

TaskMaster

The weekly rotation. Whoever is on duty works through this list, then reports at the start of lab meeting. Everything here is synced from the Support Tasks document and the Lab Jobs calendar.

This week's TaskMaster

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0 of 0 tasks checked off

Tools you will need

Orders0/3

Restocking0/2

Safety and Compliance0/2

Buffers/Consumables Management0/4

Tissue Culture Essentials0/4

Consumables0/2

Cleaning and Maintenance0/6

Lab Organization0/3

Big Lab Jobs

These need special permissions, training or a long block of time, so they sit with named people rather than rotating. They are not part of the weekly checklist.

Making common stocks

  • Pouring LB antibiotic plates for cloning
    • Monitor current stock levels
    • If necessary, autoclave and pour LB + agar plates for common single antibiotic plates, e.g. Carbenicillin, Chloramphenicol, and Spectinomycin
  • Aliquoting TC reagents (Pen/strep, FBS, supplements)Using sterile technique (in the TC hood) and reagents, maintain a stock of TC-related aliquots
  • Make miniprep buffersSee protocol for generating homemade buffers in shared protocols folder
  • Generating chemically competent E.coli for cloningSee protocol for generating homemade competent cells in shared protocols folder
  • Making and testing PEI for transfectionsSee protocol for generating PEI aliquots in shared protocols folder

Ordering/Procurement

  • Place orders from the app on Buy@Duke, Amazon, etc
    • Use of Buy@Duke requires training from Duke and special permissions
    • Ebay/Amazon require access to Chory Lab Group account
    • See buyers guide document for more information

Safety and Compliance

  • Update lab chemical storage
  • Ensure lab safety compliance
  • Facilitate lab safety inspection
  • Periodically check to make sure that lab is in compliance with random safety checks
  • Manage chemical waste pick-up
  • Ensure all lab members are up-to-date on safety training
  • Ensure all lab members know how to act in case of a fire, chemical spill, or other emergencies.

Equipment Maintenance

  • Schedule regular calibration checks for sensitive equipment:
    • Liquid Handling Robots
    • Schedule yearly calibrations
    • Schedule repairs in a timely fashion when needed
    • Keyence Microscope
    • Centrifuges
    • TC Incubators
    • Bacterial Incubators
    • -80 Freezer
    • Cryo Tank
    • Bench micropipette calibration (using a service company)

Standing roles

Held by one person until it changes, rather than rotating weekly, because each one needs permissions or training.

Equipment Maintenance Coordinator

Not yet assigned

Responsible for scheduling routine maintenance checks and servicing of all lab equipment to ensure optimal functionality.

Safety Compliance Officer

Not yet assigned

Ensures all equipment complies with safety regulations. This includes conducting regular safety inspections and coordinating with the university’s safety office to implement any necessary changes.

Lab Ordering Coordinator

Not yet assigned

This role is tasked with the primary responsibility of placing orders through the Buy@Duke system. The coordinator ensures that all orders comply with lab budgets and Duke University’s purchasing policies.

Inventory Management

Everyone

While the Lab Ordering Coordinator handles the formal placement of orders, all lab members are actively involved in inventory management. Each member is responsible for:

  • Monitoring the stock levels of items they use frequently.
  • Updating the ordering system when noticing low stock to trigger reordering.
  • Informing the Lab Ordering Coordinator of any immediate needs or discrepancies.

How the rotation works

Chory Lab Support Tasks

Welcome to the Chory Lab Support Task List! This document is a comprehensive guide outlining the various tasks and responsibilities essential to the smooth functioning and success of our lab. To foster a collaborative environment and enhance understanding of all lab operations, we employ a rotational system for our “Weekly Task List”. Each week, one lab member (including Dr. Chory) is assigned to manage routine tasks. This system ensures that every member, regardless of their primary research, gains a well-rounded experience and appreciation of the diverse aspects of lab operations and the impact on their fellow lab members. By rotating the weekly tasks, we aim to distribute responsibilities evenly and provide each lab member with a holistic view of our lab's functioning, while revisiting and refining our processes periodically for efficiency and effectiveness.

Each week, at the start of lab meeting, the member responsible for the general lab tasks from the prior week will report on their activities and any issues encountered. If any tasks were overlooked, lab members are encouraged to bring up and discuss issues. This ensures transparency and provides an opportunity for continuous improvement.

Additionally, to ensure the best care and maintenance of our specialized equipment, we have instituted dedicated roles for ordering and managing lab equipment. The more specialized 'Big Lab Jobs' are assigned to specific individuals who have the necessary permissions, training, or expertise. This list of tasks is intended to be flexible depending on how the lab grows/changes, and meant to be updated regularly if issues arise.