Safety

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Overview


On our journey to explore synthetic biology, we strictly adhere to iGEM’s safety requirements and uphold the spirit of iGEMers. With safety and reliability as our foundation, we deeply understand and innovatively apply synthetic biology, aiming to tackle global challenges.

In our experimental design, we engineered exosomes. Given their unique composition, which may pose potential environmental risks, we anticipated and meticulously planned safety measures throughout the entire project lifecycle.

During practical operations, we maintained a rigorous scientific attitude, strictly following laboratory safety standards and abiding by China’s Biosecurity Law and the Laboratory Biosafety Management Regulations.

Additionally, since our activities involved interviews with families of rare disease patients, we prioritized the protection of interviewees’ privacy, ensuring that the project meets both technical and ethical standards, contributing to the healthy development of synthetic biology through concrete actions.



Project safety


1. During the construction of engineered exosome plasmids using genetic engineering techniques, we strictly followed biosafety protocols to ensure they are safe and harmless to both humans and the environment.

2. In constructing a stable HEK293T cell line that expresses IDS and TAT-IDS fusion proteins, we implemented strict safety measures, including the use of biosafety cabinets, personal protective equipment (PPE), and rigorous waste disposal processes to prevent potential biohazards.

3. When constructing an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) cell model, we ensured a sterile environment to prevent microbial contamination, safeguard model stability and reliability, and ensure the safety of laboratory personnel.



Figure1~3.Team members implement strict safety measures during experiments.


Work environment safety


Laboratory Equipment Safety

1.Ensure testing and maintenance of equipment before restart.

2.If equipment has been unused for an extended period, inspect the condition of the device, power supply, gas lines, cooling, and vacuum systems before use.

3.Ensure personal safety protection is in place before operating any equipment.



Figure4.Members adjust the equipment before experiments.



Figure5.Team members disinfect with alcohol before using the biosafety cabinet.

Chemical and Hazardous Substance Management

1.Regularly check for any bottle breakage, leakage,volatilization, or deterioration in stored chemicals.

2.Hazardous chemicals are stored in appropriate locations based on their type and danger level, equipped with ventilation, fire prevention, water resistance, explosion protection, and corrosion resistance measures, and are clearly labeled with safety signs.

3.Hazardous waste is sorted and stored with dedicated personnel for daily management. Laboratory waste liquids are categorized and collected in 25L specialized waste barrels, clearly labeled.

4.Regular inspections are conducted for major risk sources such as hazardous chemicals, flammables, explosives, and biosafety to identify potential hazards, with corrective actions taken immediately.


Laboratory Water, Electricity, and Fire Safety

1.egularly inspect water, electricity, and ventilation systems to ensure faucets, pipes, sinks, drains, and sewer systems are intact and functioning.

2.Ensure that electrical capacity, plugs, and sockets match the power requirements of equipment, and that power connections are insulated and secure.

3.Confirm that smoke detectors,fire extinguishers,fire blankets, fire sand, and sprinkler systems are functioning properly.




Figure6.Ensure electrical safety in the lab before experiments.


Personal safety protection


1.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Before entering the laboratory, appropriate PPE must be worn, including lab coats, gloves, safety glasses or face shields, and closed-toe shoes.

2. Biosafety Cabinet Usage: Operations involving biohazards must be conducted in biosafety cabinets to minimize the spread of microbial aerosols.

3.Preparation Before Operation: Familiarize yourself with experimental procedures and the properties of reagents. Ensure all reagent labels are clear and understand emergency handling measures. Check all equipment before use to ensure safety.

4. Sterile Techniques: Follow sterile techniques when culturing cells to prevent cross-contamination.

5.Waste Disposal: Lab waste must be sorted. Infectious waste must be autoclaved or chemically disinfected before disposal in accordance with relevant regulations.

6. Regular Training and Inspections: Participate in regular safety training. Laboratories should conduct periodic safety inspections to ensure the safety of equipment and the environment.




Figure7.Team members undergo lab safety training.



Figure8.Team members wear PPE during experiments.


Privacy protection

During the execution of this project, particularly in interviews with families affected by MPS II, we strictly enforced privacy protection measures to ensure information security and respect for personal rights.


Informed Consent

Before interviews, families were formally informed about the purpose, content, and use of the interview. Detailed privacy protection measures were explained to ensure informed consent.


Information Disclosure Restrictions

In official communications, we strictly avoided disclosing personal information. Pseudonyms were used for patient information, and for those unwilling to reveal their identities, facial information was blurred or masked to protect privacy.


Handling Sensitive Information

During interviews, sensitive health information and diagnostic histories were kept confidential and not disclosed without consent, ensuring respect for patient rights.


Compliance with Laws and Regulations

We strictly adhered to China’s Personal Information Protection Law. We commit to not using any patient information for unauthorized commercial purposes or sharing it with third parties. After the project concludes, all patient data will be deleted or destroyed within the prescribed timeframe.