SAFETY

Prior to beginning any laboratory experimentation, it is vital our team reviews safety policies to ensure we follow University of Waterloo regulations, but also keep ourselves and each other safe in all practices that we conduct.

• We have chosen to use non-pathogenic chassis and organisms that are covered under the iGEM White list, and are also described as Biosafety Level 1 (E. coli DH5alpha, C. Vulgaris UTEX 2714, A.tumefaciens AGL-1, M. ruminantium M1 DMS 1093).
• Our project utilized Gibson Assembly and restriction endonuclease digests. While health concerns related to usage for these tools remain low, it was still vital to our team we work in aseptic environments, work with sterile equipment and wore personal protective equipment including lab coats, goggles and gloves at all times when working with organisms and DNA.

The Public Health Agency of Canada outlines standardized research practices involving biomaterials that prevents outbreaks and protects against threats to public health (Public health of Canada).

At the University of Waterloo, laboratory safety guidelines are outlined by the Safety Office. It include programs and information on biosafety, chemical safety, facilities, equipment and waste management (safety office)

Our laboratory space is a shared area within the Velocity incubator space located on the second floor of ESC (Earth Sciences and Chemistry) building at the University of Waterloo. We have our own benchtop space with centrifuges, thermal cycler, a mini autoclave, analytical and top-loading balances. We also have a -20°C, 4°C and a shared -80°C freezer. The lab space also has several shared fume hoods, shaker tables, hot plates, and temperature adjusted incubators. The lab is managed by Associate Director, Krysta Traianovski and the technician, Anthony Ng, from Velocity Science.

Our laboratory space is a shared area within the Velocity incubator space located on the second floor of ESC (Earth Sciences and Chemistry) building at the University of Waterloo. We have our own benchtop space with centrifuges, thermal cycler, a mini autoclave, analytical and top-loading balances. We also have a -20°C, 4°C and a shared -80°C freezer. The lab space also has several shared fume hoods, shaker tables, hot plates, and temperature adjusted incubators. The lab is managed by Associate Director, Krysta Traianovski and the technician, Anthony Ng, from Velocity Science.

Before our lab and design subteam members were permitted to work in the laboratory, they were appropriately trained in the following 4 assigned courses:

• SO2017 WHMIS
• SO1010 Lab Safety
• SO2070 Waste Segregation
• SO2032 Safe Chemical Handling

Team members were also given a formal lab tour, to identify exits, doors, fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, sinks, windows, chemical cabinets, fire hazardous chemical storage, first aid kit, labelled glass waste bin, and general expectations for working in the lab. These included maintaining a clean bench space, proper labelling of all materials made, and proper disposal. We took great caution with all protocols and equipment when working in the laboratory.

Keys to the laboratory space were also handed out accordingly to the most trained and senior members of the lab and design subteam. Members were also instructed to always be in the lab with another person, and to never work alone.

When working in the laboratory, team members were instructed to wear long pants, closed toes shoes and tie their hair back, if long enough to do so. Personal protective equipment that was also required included a lab coat, safety glasses or goggles and gloves.

Protocols from the Waterloo iGEM 2021 project NeuroDetech have inspired the write-up for this page, since safety information has not changed.

• Canada, P. H. A. of. (2024, September 23). Government of Canada. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health.html
• Laboratory safety: Safety office. Safety Office | University of Waterloo. (2024, February 29). https://uwaterloo.ca/safety-office/laboratory-safety