SINTEF has a laboratory well equipped for cultivation of obligate anaerobic microorganisms, as well as long experience in the field. In particular our work has focused on thermophilic prokaryotes in oil reservoirs, but also food microbiology related studies and analyses have been performed. Currently we are also initiating molecular biology studies of obligate anaerobic bacteria. The equipment includes: - Mark 3 Anaerobic work station (picture) that makes it possible to work with anaerobic microorganisms using many of the same techniques as during aerobic work, e.g. Petri dishes with agar media and picking of single colonies in order to establish pure cultures. - Reduction column for removal of traces of oxygen from nitrogen and other gases, and subsequent deoxygenation of buffers and media.

- Anaerobic jars enabling anaerobic and microaerophilic incubation of Petri dishes from -2 to 95ºC
- Anaerobic jars that can be operated under positive pressure (up to 0.7 bar) and with a defined gas composition, e.g. H2 + CO₂ .
- Fluorescence microscope (Leica DMBL) with 10x, 20x, 40x, 63 x and 100x objectives and type A, D, I3 and Y3 fluorescence filters. Equipped with DC300 digital photo acquisition system.
- Stereomicroscope (Leica MZ8), magnification 6-100x. Convenient for examination of the often small and colorless colonies of anaerobic microorganisms.
- Flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson FACScan). Can be used, among other, to enumerate cells and to separate between living and dead cells.
- Gas chromatograph (Agilent 3000A Micro GC) for analysis of head space gas composition.

The Anaerobic laboratory is certified for work with class 2 microorganisms.

Microorganisms that are not killed by short time exposure to O₂ may be screened for special properties in the Screening laboratory, while metabolites and other components of interest may be identified and quantified in the Analytical laboratory.