Re: How do I test money for germs?

established direct email communication with requestor...following is copy 
of direct response:
hi cortnee, my name is heather and i am responding to your mad scientist 
request....first of all don't touch the money with your bare fingers, as 
there are RNases in your skin so wear gloves and pick up the money with 
sterile forceps...do you have access to an autoclave to sterilize 
instruments?  next you can take a sterile cotton swab...you can sterilize 
some Q-tips...swab the money and then rub it on the agar....what kind af 
agar are you using?  you should make 3 plates of each if you can...one to 
store in a 37 C degree incubator, one at room temp (20-25 C) and one in 
the refrigerator (4 C) as some bacteria and fungi grow at diff temps...if 
you can make 2 plates of each temp just for backup would be good....make 
double sure the petri plates and agar are and remain sterile until you 
innoculate them...you can observe the bacterial and fungal growth this 
way...however, you will not be able to test for viruses...this is a very 
complicated procedure which most schools are not equiped to test...they 
require a living organism to grow in, they cannot be grown on agar 
plates....if you can get access to diff agar media that may be great 
also....if you have any more questions or would like to discuss anything 
just drop me a line...thanks....cya...H.
Peace :)