Nov 13, 2024

Public workspaceCleaning and sterilizing Droso-Plugs for Drosophila maintenance

DOI
dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.6qpvr9okbvmk/v1
  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University
  • Shropshire Lab
J. Dylan Shropshire
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DOI: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.6qpvr9okbvmk/v1
Protocol Citation: Helene Hartman, J. Dylan Shropshire 2024. Cleaning and sterilizing Droso-Plugs for Drosophila maintenance. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.6qpvr9okbvmk/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License,  which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: November 12, 2024
Last Modified: November 13, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 111982
Keywords: Drosophila, droso-plugs
Abstract
Genesee Scientific's Droso-Plugs provide a reusable, washable, and autoclavable solution for sealing Drosophila vials. This protocol outlines our lab's procedure for cleaning and sterilizing Droso-Plugs. While these plugs can be reused multiple times, we have observed that they may shrink with repeated cleanings and autoclaving cycles. Therefore, we recommend using each plug only twice before disposal.
Materials
Materials
  • ReagentDroso-Plugs, narrow vialsGenesee ScientificCatalog #59-200
  • Concentration1 % (v/v) Liquinox from ReagentLiquinox Biodegradable Cleaning CompoundThomas ScientificCatalog #2902N20 in diH2O.
  • ReagentAutoclave Bags, 2 to 3 gal.Fisher ScientificCatalog #01-826-5
  • ReagentAutoclave TapeFisher ScientificCatalog #15-901-111

Equipment
  • Autoclave (any)
  • Autoclave bin (any)
  • Drying rack (any)
  • Pitcher, plastic (any)
  • Sink (any)
Protocol materials
ReagentDroso-Plugs, narrow vialsGenesee ScientificCatalog #59-200
ReagentAutoclave Bags, 2 to 3 gal.Fisher ScientificCatalog #01-826-5
ReagentAutoclave TapeFisher ScientificCatalog #15-901-111
ReagentAutoclave TapeFisher ScientificCatalog #15-901-111
ReagentDroso-Plugs, narrow vialsGenesee ScientificCatalog #59-200
ReagentLiquinox Biodegradable Cleaning CompoundThomas ScientificCatalog #2902N20
ReagentAutoclave Bags, 2 to 3 gal.Fisher ScientificCatalog #01-826-5
Safety warnings
This protocol involves the use of various chemicals and reagents that require careful handling and strict adherence to safety guidelines to ensure safe laboratory practices. Please review the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each reagent before beginning the protocol and take appropriate precautions. All steps should be performed while wearing gloves, a lab coat, and eye protection.
Before start
  1. Freeze soiled Droso-Plugs at Temperature-20 °C DurationOvernight or longer.
  2. Thaw Droso-Plugs.
Cleaning Droso-Plugs
Cleaning Droso-Plugs
33m
33m
Plug the drain of the lab sink.
1m
Transfer dirty ReagentDroso-Plugs, narrow vialsGenesee ScientificCatalog #59-200 into the sink.
1m
Fill the sink with warm tap water.
Generously squirt Concentration1 % (v/v) Liquinox into the water as the sink fills.


1m
Soak the Droso-Plugs for Duration00:30:00 .


30m
Wash Droso-Plugs
Wash Droso-Plugs
16h 28m
16h 28m
Gently rub away dirt and debris from the Droso-Plugs by hand.
5m
Unplug the sink and allow to drain.
While draining, rinse off any leftover dirt or debris from the plugs by hand.

5m
Plug the drain of the lab sink and fill with warm tap water.
4m
Unplug the sink and allow to drain.
Gently squeeze the Droso-Plugs to remove excess tap water.

5m
Place Droso-Plugs in a pitcher and fill with diH2O to rinse off tap water.

4m
Squeeze excess diH2O from Droso-Plugs and place in a single layer on a drying rack.

5m
Allow Droso-Plugs to dry DurationOvernight .

16h
Overnight
Autoclave Droso-Plugs
Autoclave Droso-Plugs
33m
33m
Place clean and dry Droso-Plugs in ReagentAutoclave Bags, 2 to 3 gal.Fisher ScientificCatalog #01-826-5 .
Add a strip of ReagentAutoclave TapeFisher ScientificCatalog #15-901-111 to the bag.
2m
Place the autoclave bag filled with Droso-Plugs in an autoclave-safe pan or dish.

Safety information
Keep the neck of the autoclave bag open for steam release.
Failure to do so will cause the bag to explode.

1m
Critical
Autoclave the Droso-plugs on a liquid cycle.

Note
The manufacturer recommended autoclave settings are Duration00:15:00 at Temperature121 °C and Pressure15 psi .

30m
Temperature
Dry Droso-Plugs
Dry Droso-Plugs
16h 1m
16h 1m
Remove bag from the autoclave and lay flat on lab bench surface with neck of bag open for the Droso-Plugs to dry DurationOvernight .

16h
Overnight
Once plugs are dry, tie the top of the bag and label the bag with the date and your initials.

1m