Lab Safety
Lab safety is important for protecting people from potential hazards, like dangerous chemicals, biological
agents, and accidents caused by equipment. It ensures the well-being of those in the lab and safeguards the
research process. By following safety protocols, create a responsible lab environment, reducing the risk of
injuries. To start off, the entire laboratory sub-team had safety training including how to be as careful as
possible when handling equipment, and what to do in the event of a fire or injury.
In our level 1 biosafety lab (standard microbiological lab), we took several important safety precautions to
minimize risks. We wore yellow lab coats, goggles, and gloves, and handled glassware with care to avoid breakage.
When working with hot materials like melted agar, we used heat-resistant gloves. To prevent exposure to harmful
fumes, we used the chemical fume hood for handling the NanoGlo buffer, which is carcinogenic, and the NanoGlo
substrate (furimazine), which is flammable. Additionally, we covered the 96-well plate containing NanoGlo
solution with foil lids before using the plate reader to protect others who wanted to use the plate reader
after us. To streak plates with E. coli DH5α or BL21 cells, we used the biosafety cabinet. All chemical waste,
equipment, and gloves were disposed of in the yellow lab waste bin. In addition, our project focuses on
urine biomarkers rather than blood’s which further mitigate the risk.
Data Protection
Throughout our project, we conducted interviews and collected survey data to help us guide our project and develop events.
We made sure to use handle data in accordance to General Data Protection Regulation:
Data collection
- Information collected through our surveys and interviews was used solely to improve our project outcomes and initiatives.
- All surveys were anonymised and no personal data was collected.
- Interviewees gave consent for their attribution.
- We ensured data would only be used by our team members.
- We took photos at our events but only after asking and receiving consent.
- We made sure the subjects of our photos understood that these may be displayed on a website.
- Participation in surveys and interviews was fully voluntary, subjects were free to withdraw at any moment.
Future Concerns
NanoGlo is the substrate required for NanoLuciferase to give bioluminescence. Given that it is carcinogenic and its essentiality in the use of NanoLuciferase to help detect our biomarker Cys C, there must be careful considerations as to how to make our lateral flow assay as safe for use by the public as possible. This may include providing safety instructions in multiple languages as to how to handle the buffer safely, and how to dispose of the container of the buffer in the best way possible. It may also be a possibility that a test using our lateral flow must be handled by a healthcare professional instead of a patient, to minimise the incidence of injury. We will also be looking for a non-carcinogenic alternative to this buffer, which would make using the lateral flow safer.