Replacement for LAF ( Laminar air flow chamber)

[Bvs_science mad]

Generally Laminar air flow chambers are used for Microbial culturing, there is any method to do sterile culturing in the absence of LAF?

[CharonY]

The laminar flow hood (or biosafety bench) is primarily designed to protect the user from biological contamination. The laminar flow reduces spread of aerosols and works as an air curtain. While the clean air and reduced turbulence also assists in sterile techniques, a zero flow box or even a horizontal would actually be better. In zero flow there is even less air movement (obviously), whereas in horizontal the flow blows contaminants away from the sample (but towards you, hence, not suitable for biosafety purposes).

 

That being said, standard procedure is finding a low flow area (i.e. no passage of people, no door or window or airducts), and work near a burner. The latter is a bit tricky as the burner actually creates turbulence. So sometimes it may make things worse. Depends quite a bit on the type of organisms you got, however.