Introduction

During laboratory procedures, ensuring safety and preventing potential risks associated with our experiments are our top priorities. It is essential to protect the team, other colleagues in the lab, and the external environment from the chemicals or organisms being used. Additionally, the use of genetically modified organisms requires special attention and the implementation of extra safety measures.

Laboratory safety

For the global safety of everyone we have follow these rules:

• Correct utilization of laboratory equipment and devices.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Preventing any fire hazards with the official instructions in the event of a fire.
• Following strict hygiene norms.
• Disposing of biohazardous materials under a controlled supervision.
• Handling and storage of various hazardous and(or) flammable materials under high vigilance.
• For the use of a flame for sterility, no inflammable material is approached.
• To use UV light, appropriate protection glasses are always worn.

No viruses particles

For testing the efficiency of our receptors, VIRBAC, that can recognize specifically the coat-protein of circulant virus, we use caffeine receptors, and caffein ligand instead of virus protein. Working with virus specific nanobodies is a loss of time, safety and efficiency for the project. Using caffeine nanobodies that we already had in the lab and caffeine ligands is a way of protecting the lab and our team from virus particles.

GMOs

Handling GMOs in the laboratory is very specific and meticulous. It is crucial to prevent the dissemination of genetically modified organisms outside the lab. Working with genetically modified bacteria allows for better control of their spread, as they are cultured in a closed and secure environment. GMO bacteria never leave the lab and have no chance to spread outside. If we had chosen to work with genetically modified aphids it would have requested a supplementary security measure.