Lab Safety ​

This year, our iGEM team conducted experiments at our school's Brain and Intelligence Research Institute (BIRI). Despite having an intense experimental schedule, we consistently prioritize safety.

Safety Features of Our Lab ​

Experiments are primarily conducted in the HKUST(GZ) BIRI Lab, which is equipped with various safety features, including:

1. Biosafety Cabinet (Photo 1)
2. Flame-retardant and waterproof workbenches
3. Ventilation system with air pressure and quality warning systems
4. Water pipes equipped with backflow preventers
5. Standard safety precautions
6. Autoclave sterilizers (operated by licensed staff) (Photo 2)
7. Showers and eyewashes (Photo 3)
8. Emergency equipment such as fire-fighting equipment, first aid kits, and spill kits (Photos 4, 5)

Waste Disposal ​

1. The storage area for hazardous waste must be kept away from fire sources (including potential ignition sources such as socket panels), safety exits, and heat sources, and it should be well-ventilated. Necessary safety measures should be taken based on the characteristics of the waste.

2. Hazardous waste must be stored according to the school's classification requirements. Materials with conflicting chemical properties or different fire extinguishing methods should not be stored together.

3. Solid and liquid waste should be stored separately. Hazardous waste must not be mixed with domestic or general waste, nor should it be dumped, piled, discarded, or spilled indiscriminately.

4. All liquid hazardous waste must be stored with secondary containment measures. The material used must be compatible with the stored waste, and the secondary containment should have a minimum capacity of either 10% of the total volume of all waste containers or 110% of the largest single waste collection container.

5. Before transferring hazardous waste, the suitability and effectiveness of the transfer equipment must be checked, and appropriate PPE should be worn. During transfer, ensure there is no spillage, leakage, or dispersion.

Students are reminded to label all solutions and plates, and to properly dispose of waste materials in designated bins. Pipette tips, gels, and falcon tubes used during experiments are disposed of in biohazard waste bins. Broken glass is placed in a designated carton, while discarded needles and knives are placed in plastic containers. The contents are then processed by trained personnel.

Safety Training (Required by the School) ​

Before gaining access to laboratory facilities at HKUST(GZ), students are required to complete and pass safety courses provided by the Department of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE). This ensures they are fully informed about the potential hazards of working in a lab environment and are knowledgeable about procedures to prevent, manage, and respond to incidents.

Here is a list of courses students are required to pass:

1. MC03 Chemical Safety II / Hazardous Waste Management
2. MC04 Laser Safety
3. MC05 Pressure Safety
4. MC06 Biological Safety
5. MC07 Chemical Safety I / Chemical Safety for Laboratory Users
6. MC09 Respiratory Protection
7. DC01 Electrical Safety

Lab Orientation Training ​

According to laboratory management principles, anyone entering a laboratory must be familiar with that specific lab's safety protocols, a process known as Orientation Training. Different laboratories have different safety requirements. iGEM team members need to use instruments from various laboratories, so we received training specific to the BioLab (Bioresearch Lab), BIRI, and BioCRF (Biology Central Research Facility) based on our needs.

The training covers the following aspects: the primary functions of the laboratory, its main structure, key instruments, evacuation routes, the location of emergency facilities, contact information for safety personnel, and specific safety concerns within the lab. The sessions are conducted by experienced staff members.

Entering the Lab ​

1. Keep the workplace clean at all times.
2. Evaluate safety risks, prepare safety measures, and wear appropriate PPE before starting experiments.
3. Follow all safety protocols, turn off instruments, water, and electricity after completing experiments, and ensure doors are properly closed when leaving the lab.
4. Be familiar with emergency response procedures. In case of accidents such as fire, injury, or chemical leakage, immediately report to the responsible personnel and the security control center.

Additionally:

1. Smoking, eating, and drinking are strictly prohibited in the laboratory.
2. Wearing sandals, slippers, vests, and shorts is strictly prohibited.
3. Secure hair and avoid wearing jewelry.
4. Unauthorized solo or overnight operations are strictly prohibited.
5. Disposing of chemicals in the sink is strictly forbidden.

Equipment Management ​

Certain equipment, such as fluorescence microscopes, refrigerated centrifuges, and enzyme labeling apparatus, can pose dangers. Therefore, all personnel must receive training before using such equipment. This ensures users are familiar with correct operating procedures, safety precautions, and potential hazards.

All equipment usage must be logged, and strict compliance with operational guidelines is mandatory. Equipment should be inspected before experiments to ensure proper functioning and to avoid potential failures. During use, continuous monitoring is necessary to promptly detect any irregularities. After the experiment, equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and inspected to eliminate residual hazardous substances or bacteria.

Project Design Safety ​

At this stage, our work has been limited to the laboratory, ensuring that our experiments are free from the safety concerns that may arise in real-world applications. However, our project ultimately aims to conduct in-situ testing and make a tangible impact in real-life settings. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully assess the potential future risks, both biological and societal. We must identify and evaluate these concerns and propose solutions to mitigate them. As risk evaluation is highly context-dependent, we need to firstly explore the possible scenarios in which our project could be applied, as different contexts may present varying risks.

After engaging with different stakeholders and investigating social needs, we identified two potential applications for our genetic circuit: it could be used to protect corals, an intuitive application, or to enrich the aesthetic diversity of ornamental corals by introducing various colors, thereby contributing to the profitability and growth of the coral aquarium industry. For more information, please refer to our Implementation page, where the evaluation of potential risks is discussed in detail, along with proposed strategies to address them.

Safety Approval from the School ​

Lab Approval ​

We have received laboratory approval from our local laboratory.

In addition to securing lab permission from our based lab, Brain and Intelligence Research Institute (BIRI), through our Principal Investigator Julie, we also adhered to the comprehensive safety protocols established by the institution. Before gaining access to the lab, our entire team underwent mandatory safety training, which covered the proper handling of biological materials, chemical safety, and emergency procedures.

The lab permission process included a thorough review of our project proposal by the lab safety committee, ensuring that our experimental procedures meet all institutional and legal safety requirements. This review covered potential risks associated with our work, including the use of hazardous materials, waste disposal, and the management of biological samples.

Our lab is equipped with state-of-the-art safety equipment, and regular inspections are conducted to maintain a safe working environment. We also established a clear communication channel with the lab's safety officers to promptly address any concerns or incidents that might arise during the course of our project.

Human Practices Permission ​

For our Human Practices activities, we ensured that all necessary permissions were obtained in compliance with ethical guidelines and institutional policies. We consulted with the relevant authorities at our institution to discuss the scope and impact of our planned outreach, interviews, and surveys. After a thorough review process, we received approval to proceed with our Human Practices initiatives, ensuring that our interactions with the public, experts, and other stakeholders adhere to ethical standards.

We carefully considered the ethical implications of our activities, including informed consent, data privacy, and the potential impact on the participants. Our approval process involved several stages of review to ensure that our project not only meets the necessary safety standards but also respects the rights and well-being of all individuals involved.