Environmental Microbiology Lab
Location: Building H, Room Number H-104
Description about lab: The Environmental Microbiology Lab is one of four research laboratories managed by PAER, established in 2018 with support from the SATREP-Tonle Sap project and funded by JICA/JST. In continuing, the lab is upgraded under the support of many projects funded such as FSIL (USAID), and HEIP (MOYES/WB). The lab plays a vital role in studying environmental microbial dynamics, applied microbiology in environmental management, and investigating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and waterborne pathogens. Its work contributes to ensuring water safety and safeguarding ecosystem and human health.
Photos about lab and main equipment:
Microscope: for observation of microorganisms, cell structure, and microplastics.
Digital Colony counter: aids in counting colonies of cultured bacteria on a petri dish by providing background light, enlarging vision of the colonies, and automatic numbering.
Water bath: for maintaining the temperature of prepared culture media or solution at a desired temperature for a designated period of time.
Autoclave: for sterilization of culture media, solutions, and materials for microbiological experiment/analysis
Ultrapure water system: for dispensing pure water (type II water) and ultra-pure water (type I water) for microbiological media preparation and chemical analysis using instruments like GC-MS, IC, HPLC.
Bio shaker: capable of maintaining a constant temperature for a designated period of time while shaking the sample at a desired speed for bacteria to grow in liquid culture
Incubator: capable of maintaining a constant temperature for a designated period for bacteria to grow on solid media
Centrifuge: capable of separation a mixture of different density for purification purpose by using centrifugal force
Incubator: capable of maintaining a constant temperature for a designated period for bacteria to grow on solid media
High speed refrigerated centrifuge: capable of separation a mixture of different density for purification purpose by using high centrifugal force, can be used to separate ribosome and protein in cell
Sterile Homogenizer (Stomacher blender): use to blend solid sample in appropriate buffer for the purpose of microbiological analysis
Laminar flow hood: for keeping the working environment sterile while handling the microbiological sample
Research areas:
● Environmental Microbial Dynamics – Investigate microbial communities and their interactions within ecosystems.
● Applied Microbiology in Environmental Management – Develop and implement microbiological techniques for sustainable environmental solutions including pollution control.
● Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria – Study the prevalence, transmission, and mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in the environment.
● Waterborne Pathogens – Monitor and assess microbial contaminants to ensure water safety and public health.
● Ecosystem and Human Health Protection – Evaluate microbial risks and develop strategies to safeguard both ecosystems and human well-being.
Services:
● Microbial Analysis & Monitoring: Identify and quantify microbial communities in water, soil, and environment.
● Water Quality & Pathogen Detection: Detect waterborne pathogens and assess microbial contamination in drinking, surface, and wastewater.
● Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance: Monitor antibiotic-resistant bacteria and detect antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment.
● Microbial Technology for Pollution Control & Agriculture: Develop microbial solutions for pollutant control and biological strategies for managing environmental pollution, and pathogens.
● Microbiome & Environmental Health Assessment: Analyze microbial ecosystems and assess their impact on environmental and human health.
● Training & Consultancy: Offer workshops on microbiological techniques and provide consultancy on microbial risk assessment and water safety management.
Contact information:
● Name of person in charge: Asst. Prof. Dr. PENG Chanthol/Mr. PHOUNG Sovathana
● Position: Head Research Unit of Water and Environment/PAER Management
● Phone number: 089 994 291
● Email: peng@itc.edu.kh/pengchanthol@gmail.com
Website/Facebook link: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/paer-satreps-itc/laboratory; Facebook: Platform for Aquatic Ecosystem Research
