Laboratory management and safety training

The iGEM Team HiZJU-China adheres to the safety protocols and regulations set by the iGEM competition.

Our laboratory operates at biosafety level 1, the lowest level of biosafety required for our experiments. We specifically worked with colibacillus, which is classified as biosafety level 1 according to ATCC standards.

Prior to commencing our work in the lab, all wet-lab members underwent safety training. We also have a designated teacher and a graduate teaching assistant who oversee the materials and procedures to ensure the safety and security of our experiments.

During our experiments, we implemented strict segregation of experimental areas to prevent cross-contamination. We followed all experimental operating procedures meticulously, with a particular emphasis on wearing personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and gowns. Additionally, we ensured the proper disposal of experimental waste to prevent environmental pollution.

Fig.1 Safety training

Fig.2 Experiment safety record sheet

Project design safety

In our engineered bacteria, we have chosen to use E. coli Nissle 1917, a widely used probiotic that does not pose harm to humans. We selectively employed lipid vesicles for encapsulation, in which we embedded the transport protein for salidroside to facilitate its release. This approach effectively prevents potential harm from metabolic waste produced by Escherichia coli and reduces its impact on the environment and human health. The lipid vesicles provide a protective layer, preventing direct excretion of metabolic waste, while the incorporation of the salidroside transport protein aids in its release, enhancing its bioavailability. This method increases both the yield and purity of salidroside and reduces environmental contamination.

To mitigate the potential environmental impact of any potential escape of engineered bacteria, we have strategically engineered a phenylalanine-deficient strain of Escherichia coli through targeted disruption of the pheA gene. Consequently, the engineered strain becomes non-viable upon exiting its growth medium supplemented with exogenous phenylalanine, effectively curbing its ability to propagate.