The box, made from polylactic acid, a biodegradable thermoplastic derived 100% from renewable resources, is specifically designed for the safe storage and transport of standard flow cytometry tube racks. It also features an adjustable internal divider, allowing smaller tube racks to be used within the standard-sized box.
Each research group is eligible to receive one box, which can be collected from the Cytometry and Cell sorting Facility (CEK building, floor -1) from July 20th.
IDIBAPS is committed to promoting more sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact of research, an activity that generates a significant environmental footprint. More information about the institution’s sustainability initiatives is available by clicking here.
The idea of using opaque boxes to replace the use of aluminum foil came from Marisol Veny, from the IDIBAPS Inflammatory Bowel Disease research group. Given the difficulty of finding a commercial solution, Lisseth Robbins, from the same group, proposed developing it through 3D printing, with the collaboration of Adrià Artigas (3D designer and modeler) in the design. The prototype was later tested and perfected in the same laboratory until reaching the model currently used by the institution.