In order to study and characterize a microorganism, it is imperative to isolate it from all other organisms and maintain it in pure culture. In the microbiology laboratory, pure cultures of microorganisms are constantly being manipulated for the purpose of performing tests or simply for maintaining a viable culture. These manipulations require sterile, or aseptic techniques to maintain purity. This is no small feat considering that bacteria are everywhere! Aseptic techniques in the laboratory prevent contamination of a pure culture and prevent a culture from contaminating the experimenter or others in the lab. In order to work effectively in the microbiology laboratory, one needs to develop good aseptic technique.