General laboratory safety
Our laboratory is a standard microbiological lab including a chemical fume hood, open workbench, and
ultra-clean workbench.In general,daily requirements are not permitted to be carried into the laboratory, nor
are laboratory tools permitted to be removed from the laboratory. Team members must get training in safety
procedures and experimental techniques, as well as rigorous adherence to the laboratory's operating hours
and regulations.Each reagent and piece of equipment has a defined place and is maintained in strict
accordance with drug labeling regulations.
Fig.1.Members operating on the clean bench
Before the experiment was carried out,we were all instructed to thoroughly read the emergency plans posted
in the lab and conduct laboratory safety tests.Only those with full marks on the tests are allowed to enter
the lab. The contents involve knowing the risk factors of the lab, mastering the requirements for using
instruments, treating experimental waste, managing equipment, storing chemical reagents, using safety
equipment, understanding emergency procedures, etc.
Fig.2.The safety emergency response plan posted on the wall
Fig.3.Laboratory safety test
Safety tips are posted in many places in the laboratory to warn the experimenters to operate correctly and
with caution.
Fig.4.The safety tips stuck on the equipments
The laboratory is equipped with fire extinguishers, eye washers and other safety facilities to deal with
unexpected safety incidents.In the corridor, there is a shower head for emergency shower.
Fig.5.The fire extinguishers and the eye washer
Large laboratory equipments are posted with detailed operation procedures and safety precautions for members
to look up at any time.
Fig.6.Operation procedures
Operation safety
We used the Escherichia coli competent cell BL21 (DE3) as the experimental chassis organism, the commercial
plasmid pET28a as the vector for modification, and the synthesis of DNA and RNA was entrusted to other
companies. Despite the fact that there are certain pathogenic strains of E. coli, the chassis bacteria we
selected do not have any pathogenic factors, and the plasmids and inserted genes are safe as well. However,
due to the existence of a large number of Escherichia coli in the human digestive system, the leakage of
experimental bacteria may cause environmental pollution and digestive system disorders in people both within
and outside the laboratory.Making ensuring that no live germs leave the lab is still a need. After each
experiment, we pour the bacterial waste produced during the experiment into the waste tank and deliver them
to the experimental waste treatment company to ensure that no live bacteria are released through the
experimental waste; the experimental equipment is sterilized by high-pressure steam.
In the hardware,we use the LED blue light source with wavelength of 488nm and power of 60mW, which emit a
laser with a diameter of 4mm.It is a Class III B laser,meaning that eye damage could result if the operator
looks directly at the focused beam.We have provided laser protective goggles for team members, and in the
future, we'll add "goggles" as an accessory and add the advice "wear goggles when observing results" to our
products.
Fig.7.One of the goggles and a member operating with the goggle
In the experiment, we did not use any radioactive, carcinogenic or heavy-metal-containing reagents.
Content safety
Everything we perform is on the White List,we didn't do anything that was prohibited by the
competition.There is no human sample experiment content in the experiment up until the Jamboree, but it
might be done when it comes to industrialisation, and we will keep in touch with pertinent experts for
instruction.
Ethic safety
After investigation, Our research, interviews, and other activities do not require written formal approval.
The interviewees were briefed about iGEM and our team prior to the interview,and they were made aware of the
likelihood that the photographs and audio recordings of the interview will be made public.We totally respect
the interviewees' desires and ensure that everyone gave their informed consent.
According to our analysis of potential negative effects on society,our project is unlikely to have any
negative repercussions,including harm to human health and the environment, a rise in social inequality, and
potential violations of bioengineering standards.It is crucial to stress that our project is not intended to
create any adverse effects, and we are trying our best to avoid them.
For more security information, see our Safety Form.
