Facilities

Anaerobic microbiology facilities include two Coy anaerobic chambers, anaerobic gas mixing and delivery manifolds, and small scale (to three litre) anaerobic fermentors suitable for the growth of methanogenic archaea. We have experience of the growth and genetic manipulation of methanogens and growth of a number of other anaerobic organisms, including anaerobic gut fungi.

In addition, our labs, based in the Biology Department at the University of York include capacity for running more than 50 BioMethane Potential (BMP) measurements in parallel and the System-60 facility, a laboratory housing 60 five-litre automatically fed, temperature controlled anaerobic digesters. We have recently acquired a Singer PIXL Dark automated colony picker for microbiome dissection which is capable of anaerobic operation. Within our lab space, we are able to accommodate academic and industrial collaborators.

We have analytical facilities to support industry-standard Hach measurements, BOD, a microwave furnace for rapid total-, volatile- and fixed-solids measurements, plus headspace GC methods for the quantification of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Via the co-housed Bioscience Technology Facility, we have ready access to state-of-the-art equipment and expertise that support our multi-omics analyses including nanopore sequencing, high resolution mass spectrometry and a range of imaging techniques, including cryo-electron microscopy.

At Yorkshire Water's Naburn site, situated three miles from the University, we have access to a containerised pilot plant facility consisting of two instrumented 1000l anaerobic digesters capable of thermophilic operation.