[RASMB] microbial contamination

[Chad Brautigam]

Dear All,

Much to my dismay, I am forced to conclude that one of my centerpiece/ 
window combinations for our analytical ultracentrifuge has become  
contaminated with some evil microbe.  How do I know?  Well,  
whatever's in there, it's tearing apart both protein and RNA with  
gleeful abandon.  On Monday, I had a 27 kDa protein reduced to amino  
acids in mere hours.  Terrifying!

So I'm wondering how people have defeated these enemies in the past.   
I see in the archive that RNAseZap is recommended for killing the  
RNAses, but I didn't come across anything to kill the hungry bugs.  A  
little fire would teach them a lesson, but I doubt the centerpiece  
would tolerate that very well.  I see from the chemical compatibility  
charts that I could go after the evildoers with acetic (glacial!) or  
hydrochloric acids.  Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

And please, do not hold back!  I am willing to get extremely medieval  
on their microscopic butts.  Remember, this isn't about good science  
anymore- it's about revenge.

With anticipation,
Chad

======================================
Chad A. Brautigam, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Biochemistry
The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Department of Biochemistry
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75390-8816
Office:  214-645-6384
Fax:  214-645-6353
Email:  chad.brautigam at utsouthwestern.edu



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