FlexBio Reopening: Cautious Progress Towards Our First Scale-Up Project
By Neil Renault, Biofacilities & Operations Manager, IBioIC
On 6 July 2020, we were delighted that FlexBio was included as part of a phased re-opening of buildings at Heriot Watt University. Like many of our member companies, getting to this tentative turning point took a great deal of effort from everyone behind the scenes. Although there is still a lot to be done to ensure that we work safely and effectively in our “new normal”, we are excited to be moving towards the kick-off our first client project since lockdown.
In the week running up to the opening, activity was intense. All existing processes were reviewed for COVID-19 risk, mitigation measures were put in place to ensure social distancing, and controls established for situations were certain essential processes were deemed difficult to carry out without breaching restrictions.
Thankfully, the internal layout of Heriot Watt buildings made it relatively straightforward to enforce social distancing rules, whilst the existing controlled access and airflow within our facility and its spaciousness made it easier to deal with some of the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, I still spent two days putting signage and floor marking in place, mounting Perspex screens and sanitisation stations, as well as purging all our critical systems, such as steam and cooling water.
Once all of this was in place, there were videos to watch and risk assessments to sign off for all our staff. University and internal IBioIC Scale-Up Centre inductions were completed to ensure everyone was up to speed with the new rules and restrictions. Then and only then, staff were gradually invited back.
Procedures to confirm we’re on-site at Heriot Watt must be followed. The app designed for this is particularly easy to use as it employs geo-fences around campus to automate the check-in/ check-outs. This, of course, is critical in the event that we need to implement a test and protect protocol.
Staff have adapted really well to their new work environment and the University has been very supportive. Personally, I’m not usually based in the lab and so as a non-essential desk based worker, I’m only expected to be on-site if it’s absolutely necessary. However, the team know that I can make a site visit if needed. Office working still isn’t permitted and most admin work is done at home, but the offices have nevertheless been subject to measures such as marking tape, Perspex screens and cleaning stations so that staff have a controlled non-lab space in between arriving and leaving.
We have already run checks on all equipment and just a week after starting the return process, we carried out a trial fermentation of E. coli to start training our new senior fermentation scientist, Shiwen Zhang. Shiwen joined us from Calysta during lockdown and is already making his mark and showing what invaluable experience he brings to the team. We have a significant number of great client projects in the pipeline which were planned and developed during lab downtime, and we’re looking forward to getting stuck in to the first one in coming weeks.
For more information on IBioIC’s Scale-Up Facilities, please get in touch with Neil Renault, Biofacilities & Operations Manager at neil.renault@ibioic.com.