We prioritize safety in our experiments, recognizing its critical importance. Our commitment protects team members, upholds ethics, safeguards the environment, and fosters the trust of society in our project. Ensuring a safe working environment is integral to our project's execution. This page will outline the safety precautions implemented throughout the design and experimentation stages of the heavy metal ion biosorbents and noble metal ion biosorbents.
Our safety approach is designed to:
1） Identify potential risks and hazards
2） Implement safety precautions and guidelines
3） Provide necessary safety equipment and personal protective gear
4） Promote safety awareness among team members
5） Maintain compliance with relevant safety regulations
The iGEM team XJTLU-CHINA 2023 has developed two bioabsorbents, which are designed to adsorb heavy metal ions and noble metal ions from wastewater. During the project's design and preparation phases, we consciously avoided higher-risk approaches and opted for a solution that we could control and that was compatible with our school's laboratory conditions. We chose Escherichia coli (E. coli), a commonly used laboratory engineering bacterium, as our vector. Several professors and laboratory technicians within our school have extensive experience working with E. coli as an engineering bacterium in experiments related to safety. In the later stages of our experiments, we carefully lysed the E. coli specifically targeting our target proteins, further reducing safety risks.
With the overall safety and control in mind, we meticulously designed specific experimental procedures, prioritizing the safety of experimenters and colleagues. In summary, we conducted our experiments in a biosafety level one (BSL-1) laboratory, and all organisms and parts used were listed on the iGEM 2023 White List.
When iGEM team XJTLU-CHINA-2023 was first formed, we received training from senior students of iGEM XJTLU-CHINA-2022 on laboratory safety specifically tailored for the iGEM competition. Lab technicians guided us through the laboratory facilities we were about to use, informed us of laboratory rules, demonstrated the safe usage of equipment such as autoclaves, and taught us how to handle waste materials safely and in other instances. Before entering the laboratory, we diligently watched and learned from a laboratory safety video produced by the Department of Science of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, which provided detailed information about laboratory safety and proper equipment operation. The video covered topics such as:
(1). Reading the BIO Health and Safety Handbook
(2). Safety Shower and Eye Wash Station
(3). How to use a fire blanket?
(4). Basic Fire Extinguisher Use Training
(5). Basic Electrical Safety
(6). How to Use a Spill Kit?
(7). Basic Chemical Safety
(8). Centrifuge Safety Use Training
(9). Autoclave Safety Use Training
(10). Biosafety Cabinet Safety Use Training
(11). BIO Safety Induction
Finally, before gaining access to the laboratory, we were required to submit a form to Prof. Yongtao Zhu, the laboratory health and safety officer, detailing any hazardous reagents we intended to use. This was to demonstrate our knowledge of their properties and usage methods and to have them reviewed by the department."
Meanwhile, when dealing with higher-precision laboratory instruments, we are not allowed to use them to prevent inevitable damage to such instruments and potential laboratory safety hazards. For instance, when using ICP-MS (Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), all operational procedures for the instrument are carried out by professional technicians to ensure experiment safety.
Figure 1: Biosafety training in the laboratory. The members of the experiment groups are currently undergoing laboratory training, with the technician, Hongshi.Zhang, instructing team members Shouye.Zhu and Yiran.Wang on the proper use of the refrigerated centrifuge (A) and the autoclave (B).
Figure 2: Lab Admission Exam. (A) represents all the lab admission quizzes with topics. (B) shows some of the quiz questions about the topic of Basic Chemical Safety.
Figure 3: ICP-MS operation in the laboratory. Due to the precision and complexity of ICP-MS instrumentation, it is operated by specialized technicians. As shown in the diagram, technician Xiaoping Xie is operating the ICP-MS instrument.
When conducting experiments in the laboratory, we strictly adhere to the laboratory's safety policy. Members mutually supervise each other to prevent mistakes and potential safety accidents, demonstrating our deep respect for our own and our colleagues' well-being. We are committed to preserving this right and continuously strive for it. Additionally, we take measures to minimize any potential environmental impact by appropriately disposing of waste materials and categorizing them as necessary. When encountering unfamiliar experimental challenges, we seek advice from advisors and lab technicians in advance. We only proceed with experiments once we have obtained solutions to avoid any hasty or careless actions that could lead to safety issues. The experiments conducted by XJTLU-CHINA-2023 strictly adhere to the laboratory safety rules of our institution and the national regulations governing laboratory safety.
Figure 4: Safe and Proper Operating Procedures by Yiran Wang. In a Biosafety Level 1 laboratory, Yiran Wang conducted experiments on the bench in a safe and proper manner. She secured her hair with a ponytail, wore gloves, and donned a lab coat while doing the experiments.
Figure 5: The correct and safe operation of the biological safety cabinet by Shouye Zhu. When performing operations inside a biological safety cabinet, it is important to use the cabinet correctly and safely, as shown in the diagram. Shouye Zhu is pouring the LB agar into the plates inside the biological safety cabinet.
Figure 6: Classified storage of chemical reagents. Figure A shows that the storage has access rights and has sufficient prompts and warnings. Figures B and C are Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinet. Figure D is Acids and Corrosives Storage Cabinet
Figure 7: Classification of waste liquids. The waste solutions containing AgNO3, CdCl2, CuSO4, and (CH3COOH)2Pb are classified, clearly labeled to indicate their hazards, and stored in a dark cabinet to prevent some substances from evaporating, as shown in the diagram.
Our laboratory is equipped with a wide range of laboratory safety equipment, ready to respond precisely to various types of safety incidents. This includes emergency showers, eye wash stations, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and more.
Figure 8: Biosafety equipment in the laboratory. The figure displays some safety equipment prepared in the laboratory for handling emergency situations, which include: eye wash (A), emergency shower (B), fire extinguisher (C), fire blanket (D), and stop button for electricity (E).
When conducting experiments involving precision instruments, such as an autoclave, we are required to fill out a usage safety form to document who used the equipment and when. This information is then reported to the laboratory supervisor. In addition to this, our experiments are continuously subject to strict supervision by the laboratory technician to ensure the safety and integrity of our experiments. We have also established a supervision mechanism, where the laboratory health and safety officer, Prof Yongtao.Zhu conducts regular reviews of the laboratory's safety and compliance. This ensures that any incidents or unsafe conditions are promptly reported and investigated as necessary.
Figure 9: Usage Safety form for autoclave. All users of the high-pressure steam sterilizer are required to fill out the table with their name, the start and the end times of usage, and then submit it for the technician's signature confirmation.
Figure 10: Laboratory Safety supervise. Professor Yongtao Zhu, the lab health and safety officer, is currently evaluating the polycarbonate membrane (EMD) product produced by the experiment group, which contains CsgA-Ag4 fusion proteins. Simultaneously, safety checks are being conducted on the experiments.
When conducting HP research on synthetic biology, we have been paying attention to the biosecurity issues related to synthetic biology and have been exploring the relationship and development opportunities between synthetic biology and biosecurity.
We held a debate on the topic “Should synthetic biology be used to create artificial microorganisms to remove pollutants such as plastics and harmful chemicals from water bodies?", in which one side raised a lot of biosafety issues, and then debated with the opposing side. After the debate, we discussed biosecurity.
More details will be presented in the university part of the Education section.
The design you've described for a sewage filtration unit based on protein microcrystalline cellulose particle adsorption technology sounds promising in terms of its potential for efficient wastewater treatment and environmental benefits. However, whether it is safe to use in practical applications depends on several factors, including the materials used, the control systems, and the overall engineering and operational considerations. Here are some points to consider regarding safety:
Material Safety: The safety of the materials used in the device, such as the proteins and microcrystalline cellulose, is crucial. These materials should be non-toxic, non-allergenic, and not pose any health risks when they come into contact with wastewater. Proper testing and certification of these materials should be conducted to ensure safety.
Heavy Metal Handling: Since the device is intended to adsorb heavy metal ions, it's important to consider the safe handling and disposal of the captured heavy metals. Proper protocols for managing and disposing of the captured heavy metals should be in place to prevent environmental contamination.
Temperature Control: The temperature control device is mentioned to optimize adsorption efficiency. It's important to ensure that this temperature control system is safe and reliable, with safeguards to prevent overheating or other potential risks.
Sensor Systems: The built-in sensor systems for monitoring temperature, pH, and heavy metal ion concentration should be accurate and reliable to ensure that the device responds appropriately to changing conditions.
Intelligent Control: The intelligent control system should be designed with fail-safes and redundancies to prevent malfunctions that could compromise safety.
Discharge of Clean Water: The design should ensure that the discharge of clean water meets regulatory standards and does not introduce contaminants into the environment.
Operational and Maintenance Procedures: Safe operation and maintenance procedures must be established and followed to prevent accidents or failures that could harm operators or the environment.
Regulatory Compliance: The device should comply with local, regional, and national environmental and safety regulations. It may need to undergo testing and certification to ensure it meets these standards.
Before deploying this device in any real-world applications, it's important to conduct thorough safety assessments and testing, including pilot studies to verify its effectiveness and safety under actual operating conditions. It should also involve collaboration with relevant regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.
Overall, the concept is promising, but the safety of the design will depend on the specific details of its implementation and adherence to safety protocols and regulations.