In our project, safety is our utmost priority. We have implemented comprehensive safety protocols to ensure the well-being of our team members, the integrity of our research, and the protection of the environment. Our approach to safety encompasses rigorous laboratory practices, strict adherence to biosafety standards, thorough risk assessments, and the careful management of environmental impact. These measures are designed to mitigate any potential risks associated with our work and to ensure that our research is conducted in a secure and responsible manner.

During the laboratory safety training phase, we visited the laboratories of the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology. We carefully studied the safety-related posters and gained valuable laboratory safety knowledge from them. These posters provided us with an opportunity to deeply understand the operational safety standards, ensuring that we can follow best practices in our future research activities and safeguard both personal and team safety. During the visit, team leader Alex and the laboratory instructors gave detailed explanations of these safety-related posters, further helping us grasp the key points. Through Alex’s explanations, team members not only mastered the basic safety knowledge conveyed by the posters but also gained a deeper understanding of how to apply this knowledge in daily laboratory operations. This knowledge laid a solid foundation for our future experimental activities, ensuring that we can conduct scientific research in a safe environment while effectively preventing various risks in the lab.





In this training, we first learned the basic principles of laboratory safety, particularly the “people-first” concept, which emphasizes prioritizing personnel safety in all experimental operations. It also stressed the responsibility of all members to participate in safety management, ensuring that each laboratory member has adequate safety awareness and preventive capabilities. Secondly, regarding hazardous chemicals management, we learned how to properly classify, store, and handle different types of chemicals, mastering methods to prevent chemical reaction accidents in the laboratory. We also understood the importance of carefully reading safety instructions and equipping the appropriate protective gear before using chemicals. Next, we delved into the proper handling of laboratory hazardous waste, learning scientific waste classification and storage methods to ensure it is regularly collected and disposed of, reducing potential threats to the environment and personnel health. Fourth, through the study of fire safety and emergency response plans, we learned how to deal with fire emergencies in the lab, particularly becoming familiar with the use of fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation routes, enhancing our ability to react in critical situations. Lastly, regarding the safe use and maintenance of laboratory equipment, we recognized the importance of regularly checking the equipment to ensure it is in good working condition. This is especially crucial when using high-temperature and high-pressure equipment, where strict operational protocols can effectively prevent equipment failures and accidents. This comprehensive safety knowledge has provided a safety guarantee for our future scientific research, ensuring that we can conduct experiments smoothly in a secure environment.

Laboratory safety is our top priority in this project. All team members have undergone comprehensive safety training to ensure they are fully aware of the potential risks associated with the project and are capable of responding to emergencies. We regularly conduct safety briefings and drills to maintain a high level of preparedness. Before entering the laboratory, team members must pass a laboratory safety exam to confirm their ability to operate equipment and handle materials safely. Laboratory protocols require all members to strictly follow operational procedures when handling biological materials, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, lab coats. Our laboratory rules also include: wearing lab coats before entering the lab; tying back hair; no eating or drinking in the lab; no using mobile phones at the workstation; and ensuring that lab waste is properly sorted and disposed of.

Our laboratory is classified as Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1), indicating that the materials used pose minimal risk to personal health. To further ensure laboratory safety, we have divided the lab area into contamination and non-contamination zones. Agarose gel electrophoresis is only conducted in the contamination zone using dedicated pipettes and flasks to prevent cross-contamination. All solutions containing microorganisms are treated with 84 disinfectant (bleach) before disposal and are subsequently sterilized under high pressure and temperature to ensure no live microorganisms are released into the environment.

In our experiments, we use chemicals such as GelRed and alcohol. GelRed is a DNA gel stain used in electrophoresis; although it is considered safe in animal studies, it may still pose potential risks to human health. Therefore, GelRed is strictly used in the contamination zone, and operators are required to wear double-layer gloves. Alcohol, being highly flammable, is used for maintaining sterile conditions and disinfection, and it must be handled according to strict safety protocols under the supervision of instructors.

To prevent potential risks to human health and the environment, we have implemented strict biosafety measures. We exclusively use Escherichia coli strains DH5α and BW25113, without involving any other organisms. The biological materials used are all classified as Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1), posing minimal risk to healthy adults. These engineered strains are designed to remain strictly within the laboratory environment, preventing their release into the natural environment. All culture media are sterilized through autoclaving, and containers are further disinfected using 84 disinfectant, ensuring that all potential risks are effectively controlled.

Before the project commenced, we conducted a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential hazards and implement corresponding control measures. This included evaluating the pathogenicity, toxicity, and environmental impact of the microorganisms and chemicals used. To ensure the safety of our team members, for instance, in the handshake experiment we designed, we were concerned that direct contact with bacterial cells or culture media might pose health risks. After consulting FDA standards, we confirmed that the bacterial cells and media components used in the experiment are harmless to humans. However, for safety reasons, we still required team members to wear nitrile gloves during the handshake experiment.

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Environmental sustainability was fully considered during the design of our project. We have implemented measures to reduce waste production, ensuring that all biological waste is properly treated before disposal. A thorough assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential impact of our project on local ecosystems, and appropriate measures were taken to prevent the accidental release of genetically modified microorganisms into the environment. Additionally, we have further reduced the environmental burden by recycling and reusing certain materials in the experiment.

To ensure laboratory biosecurity, we have implemented several protective measures: