Safety

Bio Safety

Safety Sterilization System

To prevent bacterial leakage, we have implemented strict engineered eradication measures—a light sterilization system. We selected a light-activated suicide switch based on the EL222-Pblind blue light-sensitive system, ensuring that E. coli can be killed in blue light. This system, BBa_K2332002, consists of a blue light-sensitive promoter switch and the lysin gene RelE (BBa_K185047). The lysin gene is a composite protein that can lyse bacteria both inside and outside the cell, theoretically exhibiting stronger bacterial lysis effects. We have completed both the plasmid and experimental design, but due to time constraints, the experimental validation has not yet been completed.

Lab Safety

Chassis

The chassis we used E.coli DH5α、BL21(DE3) 、DH10b、Mach1-T1, which all belong to RISK GROUP 1, means they are low risk for human beings and the environment.

Parts

Our parts are all taken from the RISK GROUP 1 and RISK GROUP 2 organisms. The RISK GROUP 1 organisms are not safe to cause diseases in healthy adults. Although the RISK GROUP 2 organisms may cause diseases in humans, the parts we extracted were all synthesized from the company, without any risk of pathogens.

Disposal

To prevent environmental contamination, all our waste liquids are centrally processed and disinfected before disposal. For certain reagents that pose health risks, we handle them with care, store them in appropriate locations, and maintain a separate hazardous waste container. To ensure our laboratory remains clean and sterile, the lab is disinfected at the end of each experiment. The biological safety cabinet is subjected to UV sterilization after use. Additionally, we conduct regular inspections of laboratory equipment to ensure there are no risks before putting them into operation.

hazardous waste containers

Lab Safety Reminders

On the walls of the laboratory, we have posted relevant safety regulations to remind everyone of the necessary protocols. Additionally, a checklist is posted by the sink near the lab entrance to ensure that all necessary tasks are completed before leaving the lab.

Lab safety regulations Reminder

Checklist Reminder

Safety Training and Compliance

Before entering the laboratory, our coach provided us with comprehensive EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) laboratory safety training. This training emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe working environment, recognizing potential hazards, and adhering to proper safety protocols. We were educated on essential practices, including the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency procedures, and the responsible handling of chemicals and biological materials.

In addition to the training, each team member signed a Compliance Agreement, affirming our dedication to upholding the highest standards of safety throughout the project. This commitment reflects our understanding of the critical role that laboratory safety plays not only in protecting ourselves but also in ensuring the safety of our peers, the environment, and the broader community. We recognize that strict adherence to safety protocols is essential for the successful and responsible execution of our experiments.

Sign-off The Biological Laboratory Safety Compliance Agreement

The Biological Laboratory Safety Compliance Agreement

1. Everyone involved in the laboratory operation must have safety training and basic safety awareness. Be alert to unsafe situations and behaviors of laboratory personnel and bring them to their attention so that corrections can be made as soon as possible. If you have any concerns, questions or suggestions, please refer them to the teacher, coach or staff in a timely manner and do not handle them yourself.
2. Only approved laboratory personnel are allowed to use the laboratory work area;
3. Only the experiments specified in the course can be carried out in the laboratory, and the experimental personnel are forbidden to operate any experiments outside the course regulations independently. If there are special experimental needs, it should be implemented after discussion by the coaching team.
4. Laboratory personnel must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and appropriate clothing in all laboratory and laboratory preparation areas, including laboratory coats, closed-toe shoes, long pants, gloves, shoe covers, etc.
5. When leaving the laboratory, the laboratory coat should be taken off and hung up at the entrance of the laboratory, and cannot be worn out of the laboratory. Disposable gloves, shoe covers, etc. should be discarded in the trash can set up in the laboratory.
6. The experimenters should wash their hands carefully before leaving the laboratory. Do not touch your eyes, face, or mobile phone with gloves.
7. The consumption of beverages, the storage of food and beverages, the use of cosmetics and the removal and wearing of contact lenses are prohibited in all laboratories and meeting rooms in the laboratory (yellow zone). Smoking is strictly prohibited in the laboratory, and entering the laboratory after drinking alcohol is prohibited.
8. At the end of each working day, all electrical equipment that does not need to be operated overnight must be turned off and the faucet turned off.
9. The experimenter must pay attention to the cleanliness of the operating table and properly place the equipment, chemicals and laboratory supplies during the experimental operation.
10. Wear gloves when using chemicals. Do not smell, taste or come into direct contact with chemicals without gloves. The remaining chemicals in the experiment shall be collected and treated by the teacher, and shall not be dumped or taken out of the laboratory by themselves.
11. After the end of the experiment, the experimenter should store the waste in a properly labeled trash can. All waste generated in the laboratory area must not be disposed of in the trash bin in the office area. The used sharps should be discarded in the sharps box and should not be thrown directly into the trash can.
12. After the completion of an experimental operation, the experimentalists should clean the operating table. At the end of each day's experiment, the experimentalists should clean the laboratory.
13. No experimental reagents, consumables, biological materials, equipment, etc. shall be taken out of the laboratory.
14. Personnel who use instruments and equipment, especially large instruments and equipment, must be trained and strictly comply with the requirements of use, and must not increase or reduce the operation steps by themselves. At least one instructor or teacher must be present when using the equipment. If the equipment failure, should be the first time to inform the coach, the teacher, not to deal with it.
15. Do not beat, knock, actively damage the experimental equipment, the violator should be compensated according to the value of the instrument.
16. Do not use electric heating equipment to bake solvents, oil, plastic baskets and other flammable and volatile materials. Do not touch the stove surface of the heating instrument. In the case of power failure, take a safe way to remove and place the heated items.
17. The use of autoclave, high-speed centrifuge and other equipment must be trained before the experimental personnel must strictly follow the operating procedures to operate; The laboratory must be occupied when using. If any abnormal phenomenon is found during use, it should be stopped immediately.
18. Do not chase, roughhouse, run in the lab, do not quarrel with classmates, if such a situation occurs, after a warning is invalid, the teacher will have the right to ask students to leave the lab temporarily.
19. Any experimental operation needs to keep the corresponding detailed experimental records. If the experimental data is missing or omitted due to the problems of the experimentors themselves, the experimentors need to deal with it in extracurricular time.
20. It is not allowed to tamper with, fabricate or modify the original data of any experiment, and academic fraud is not allowed. If the teacher or coach finds any academic fraud, the student will be immediately advised to leave the laboratory.