Optimization of secure workstation for manipulation of 35S-labelled molecules: a case of in vitro cell metabolic labelling

Abstract

Pulse-chase and cell metabolic experiments involving 35S-labelled molecules can be detrimental to your health. Suppliers and literature suggest the use of activated charcoal to limit contamination without any precise specification. The aim of this study is to fill in this gap. Here, we perform the usual procedures, which consist in working with the available equipment according to recommendations of radioprotection. We carried out radiotoxicological exams as well as dosimetric follow-ups of the workers. As this procedure leads to internal contamination of the operators and of surface contamination at the workplace, we tested a more secure workstation with collective protection equipment that we validated as limiting contaminations for workers. This study proposes a method to use 35S-labelled molecules in a more secure way, which could be beneficial for the scientific community.