Team:TAU Israel/Safety
Safety
Safety
In order to conduct our experiments, we used the Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741 laboratory strain, which is not dangerous nor pathogenic. Our strains contain an auxotrophic selection marker and no antibiotic resistance markers. Therefore, should not pose a risk to humans nor to the environment in case of a leak outside the laboratory.
In order to prove our concept, we used a yeast strain library from Prof. Maya Schuldiner's lab, from Weizman institute. Each strain has GFP/RFP gene interlocked to a known yeast ORF in the genome. We tested our concept with an evolutionary experiment, , in which we checked fluorescence emission at different time points.
Afterwards, to verify our results and gather data, we performed sequencing to the samples taken along the experiments. In general, these procedures are not dangerous if they are performed under some basic safety rules, which we indeed followed.
Dangerous compounds:
We used compounds known as mutagenic such as Ethidium Bromide (Etbr) and Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS)
- Etbr: Is used for gel preparations. We used it in small concentrations and only with protective gear and inside a chemical hood.
- EMS: Is a known mutagen and was used as such in one of our experiments to increase the probability of mutations and so the mutation rate. We only used it in small concentrations and while wearing the relevant protection gear (gloves, glasses, robe, etc.), in a specific location and with the proper instrumentation.
We are conscious that our project gives rise to ethical risks as does every genetic engineering experiment. Our genetically modified organisms may somehow get out of the lab and genetically change organisms from nature. This can eventually lead to changes in the ecosystem, in a butterfly effect like manner.
Being informed is being safe.
- Our team has undergone safety training.
- Prof. Gali Prag, who is the head of the safety committee of TAU life sciences faculty. Advised us on how to conduct safe experiments.
- Prof. Martin Kupiec is an expert on yeast, we received advice from him frequently. Martin advised us on how to conduct a yeast experiment properly and safely. Prof. Kupiec also advised us how to manage the EMS substance, as he is working with these kinds of substances for many years on yeast (He told us how to handle it without causing any risk to ourselves and our environment).
- In addition, all of our experiments were approved by the university and the safety department. Here you can find the safety manual (only in Hebrew unfortunately)
Safety equipment:
- Open bench
- Chemical fume hood
- Laminar flow hood
- Gloves
- Protective Glasses
- Robes
Other safety aspects of our solution are discussed in out Proposed Implementation page.
Implementation
