Safety Training

The wetlab team participated in a mandatory biosafety training course before entering the biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) laboratory. This included instructions on waste disposal, disinfection, sterilization, emergency procedures, and the handling of chemicals. The course was taught by the health and safety representative Eva Lillebæk from the Research Unit of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Southern Denmark. The safety training was applied to the laboratory at the Research Unit of Molecular Microbiology. We also received a biosafety training course for the biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory. This also included instructions on waste disposal, disinfection, sterilization, emergency procedures, and the handling of chemicals. Additionally, we were also instructed in how to behave and how to enter and exit with the special coats for BSL-2. This training course were also given by Eva Lillebæk.

Laboratory Facilities

Throughout our project, we have worked in BSL-1 and BSL-2. Sometimes we had to move our cells from BSL-2 to BSL-1. Before the transfer, the cells were fixed and transported in a closed ice-filled box, which was located outside the BSL-2 area. Our work was carried out on the laboratory workbench, under chemical fume hoods, or in biosafety cabinets when necessary.

Antibiotic Resistance

To ensure the correct assembly and transformation of the plasmid, we used the ampicillin resistance gene as a selection marker. Using antibiotics in the laboratory poses a risk of spreading antibiotic resistance to wild-type bacteria outside the lab, such as through horizontal gene transfer. However, this risk is minimal by following the guidelines for working with GMOs. These guidelines include proper disposal of live GMOs in autoclavable plastic bottles and disposal of contaminated single-use tools into properly marked GMO waste bags, which must be autoclaved. It also includes guidelines for cleaning reusable tools. For example, bacterial waste in flasks should be emptied into bacterial waste jugs, rinsed with 70% ethanol into the same container, and cleaned in tubs with iodophor.

Everyday Safety In The Laboratory

For everyday laboratory work, we adhered to the following practices:

• Disinfecting workbenches with 70% ethanol when work was done for the day to avoid contamination of the workspace.
• Removal of GMO waste in the appropriate GMO waste containers so they could be autoclaved.
• Disposal of chemicals into the appropriate waste containers according to waste groups.
• Used appropriate safety equipment when handling bacteria, chemicals, and cells. This included always wearing a lab coat and gloves when handling bacteria and cells to ensure our safety and prevent contamination of our samples.
• If any doubt did arise during our laboratory work, we made it a habit to always “ask twice, do it once”. This lessened the risk of failed experiments and ensured both the safety of ourselves and our colleagues.
• Our GMOs were stored in an access-restricted -70°C freezer.

Personal Data Safety

During our project, it was also important for us to handle personal data safely, especially in regard to our interviews with patients. We reviewed and read the laws of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ensured that we handled the personal data safely and adhered to the rules.

We did not collect personal data, such as personal IDs, health insurance cards, or any other sensitive details that could compromise the privacy of individuals. When filming people in our interviews, we obtained their consent both in writing via email and verbally on video during the recording, to ensure full compliance with privacy regulations and to respect their rights throughout the process.