• Question: Aren't you afraid of becoming infected by the viruses you handle in the laboratory?

    Asked by Marcinha to Craig, Nicholas on 6 Mar 2017. This question was also asked by emma.
    • Photo: Craig O'Hare

      Craig O'Hare answered on 6 Mar 2017:


      This is a great question!

      I’m usually SUPER paranoid about working with the viruses in the lab. Cold sores aren’t dangerous but they’re really gross (Annoyingly my virus experiments always come up right before I have a date too…). So I usually end up wearing two pairs of gloves and being extra careful when I’m handling the virus.

      To stop the virus spreading and infecting ourselves and anyone else, we carry out all our experiments in a special cupboard that has a contained airflow. This means that nothing can get out and infect anyone else around us.

    • Photo: Nicholas Younger

      Nicholas Younger answered on 6 Mar 2017:


      I do! The viruses I use can’t make copies of themselves, but they could potentially cause cancer – which is why I use them!

      I wear loads of gloves and masks and take things REAAALLLLY slowly!

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