Our strategies have been meticulously crafted to prioritize both user safety and environmental responsibility. Our approach predominantly relies on biological materials and substances that have been recycled, including ethanol and polyacrylamide, methanol, isopropanol, ethanol, ethidium bromide, which are managed to prevent any environmental impact. To ensure the responsibility and ethics of our strategy, we engaged experts in the field to verify that the target we've developed will act in the best interest without causing mutations. Professionals have confirmed that the project is safe and ethical.

The main objective of our project is to propose a method for universalizing blood by removing A and B antigens. To develop this strategy, we used the microorganism Escherichia coli DH5a , commonly found in global environments and classified as BSL-1 bacteria. All potentially hazardous chemicals were handled with the utmost care in a controlled environment (flow hood), and we strictly adhered to general laboratory safety protocols throughout our work.

All experiments conducted followed standard procedures, including protein electrophoresis, DNA electrophoresis, DNA extraction, kinetic studies of our enzyme, and rheology analysis. Among the various protocols employed, we utilized ethidium bromide. It's important to note that ethidium bromide is a well-known carcinogenic and mutagenic substance. Polyacrylamide is a toxic substances.Consequently, our team members received comprehensive training prior to handling it, ensuring that we minimized the associated risks.

Throughout the project, we maintained a rigorous commitment to safety within our laboratory. We had experts overseeing the safety protocols¹, ensuring that our workspace adhered to both national and university safety standards. Every experiment completed in the lab was conducted under the supervision of a professional with extensive experience in the field. Moreover, we had a variety of risk management measures at our disposal, including access to accident reports, personal protective equipment, a secure storage area for our laboratory equipment, and a robust waste management system in place. Additionally, we prioritized ergonomic work practices to ensure the safety and well-being of our team members, adapting our work postures to minimize health risks ².

The iGEM Ulaval team is firmly committed to championing sustainable health initiatives, drawing inspiration from recent charters such as the Okanagan Charter ³. This charter serves as a guiding force for our team's actions, positioning us as pioneers in sustainable health within the Francophone community.