Safety

Safety is our #1 priority

All members of our lab are well aware of the importance of performing experiments in a safe environment. On this page, we will present what we actively strive for to ensure the safety of everyone during our project.

Our PI Dr. George Huang kindly provided his laboratory for our use. Dr. Huang’s laboratory has been certified as a BSL-2 level laboratory. All members of the team who wish to work in the lab must first complete multiple online biosafety-related training as required by Oklahoma State University. Next, all lab users must register their user ID with the compliance office because entrance into the lab is strictly reinforced. As shown in Figure 1 on the left, an OSU badge is required to enter the lab. The lab is clearly labeled as BSL-2 and emergency contact information is also clearly posted on the door. The building that housed the lab is also accessible to OSU personnel only.

(Figure 1. Badge accessible only at lab entrance)

As shown in Figure 2 below, the laboratory is equipped with a biosafety cabinet. Although we do not work with any BSL-2 organisms, we routinely use the biosafety cabinet for bacterial culturing. Please also note at all times, all users in the lab were trained to wear proper PPEs at all times. These included disposable gloves, lab coats, and goggles (when working with hazardous chemicals). All users always know to clean the lab benches before and after use using 70% alcohol or 3% bleach solutions. As also shown in Figure 2 below, the lab is also equipped with a chemical fume hood. Acids and bases which are used for making buffers are stored separately. When working with hazardous chemicals we always use the fume hood to do so.

(Figure 2. Biosafety cabinet, work benches, and chemical fume hood)

For project-specific safety, we only use microorganisms that are listed as BSL-1, which does not present any danger to the environment or animals. For our measuring assay to detect MMO activity, we used cultural extracts from Methylococcus capsulatus, which is a BSL-1 microorganism. For our engineered sMMO-producing strain, we designed the project to use E. coli BL21, TOP10, DH5alpha, and JM109 strains, which are also considered BSL-1 microorganisms. To ensure proper disposal of these microorganisms, all liquid biological waste is first collected in a sealed container before autoclaving. Solid biological wastes are double-bagged in red biosafety bags before autoclave and disposal. Any hazardous waste such as buffer containing acids is disposed of in brown chemical waste bottles.

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