Team:HZAU-China/Safety
Safety
Overview
This year, while strictly following the iGEM’s safety rules and safety policies, our team also fully considered the possible safety problems during the actual implementation of the project and came up with the corresponding solutions. At the same time, we also payed attention to cultivate the safety awareness of the experimental personnel, and strengthen it through a variety of ways. Below we will describe in detail our team's work on safety.
Lab safety
Our laboratory is located in the college building of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, which follows the current legislation about BSL1. Waste in the laboratory has a complete method of classification and disposal to ensure that it does not pollute the environment. The laboratory building has a complete access control system, and only authorized personnel can get in and out. The teacher in charge of safety management of our college will also provide safety training for each of our team members (Figure 1).
Safety education
Prof. Yingchun Qi is responsible for the safety and security of our lab. She has been working as the safety and security officer in Huazhong Agriculture University for decades, and she also gives lectures about biological experiments in university. Every year before the iGEM project officially starts the experiment, Prof. Qi will conduct a safety education meeting for every team members to ensure that all team members strictly abide by the safety standards of the laboratory.
Safety of experiment
The instruments in the laboratory are properly spaced and the biological waste generated during the experiment is managed by trained stuff. In addition, our laboratory is equipped with fume hood, medicine cabinet and other facilities (Figure 2) to ensure that the experiment can be carried out in a safe environment.
All the experimenters wore gloves while working with the bacteria (Figure 3). In the use of the instrument, the operation is strictly in accordance with the instrument instructions.
This year, we need to verify the function of LRAP, which can repair the enamel damage. We decided to use a tooth of Sus scrofa domesticus which came from a butcher. The tooth was first soaked in 75% alcohol for three hours and then autoclaved for sterilization when we got it. We had submitted the Check-in-form and got a permission. None of this would violate Chinese biosecurity policy.
Safety about COVID-19
Our project this year does not relate to COVID-19, and there are no direct safety issues associated with it. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team is taking a more cautious approach to offline human contact. Before September, all of our work was online, including regular team meetings and all Human Practice activities. After return to school, all offline activities we hold were under the premise of confirming the health of both parties, and with the consent of the school and participants. During daily lab work and meetings, team members wear mask to minimize risk (Figure 4).
Safety considerations for implementation
Our treatment device is made of materials that are not harmful to human health. Gel and other substances added to the device are also harmless.
Considering the situation of the project in practical implementation, we also adopted some other methods to enhance the safety of the engineered bacteria. The chassis we use is a widely recognized probiotic, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, which poses no harm to humans or the environment. Besides, we have designed a suicide switch to prevent horizontal gene transfer that would occur when engineered bacteria escape from the treatment device in actual implementation. The interior of the device will be set to an environment rich in ferrous iron. When the engineered bacteria leave the treatment device and enter the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract or natural environment, the decreased concentration of ferrous ions will cause the expression of toxin, then killed the engineered bacteria.
In compliance with iGEM's Safety Policies and Rules
Our project does not involve animal experimentation, human experimentation, gene drives, or the use of modified organisms and any part containing sequences connected resistance to anti-microbials on WHO's list. As for "Do Not Release Policy", we strictly observe the relevant rules of the laboratory to prevent engineering bacteria from escaping from the laboratory. Human Subject researches involved in Human Practices, including investigation and interview, were pre-approved by review boards of our school, which met relevant laws and regulations and ethical requirements.
Based on following the safety policy, we also strictly abide by the safety rules of iGEM. We were successfully submitted the Safety and Security form before deadline, no parts were used besides the White List. Our lab follows the current legislation about BSL1, and we do not conduct any experiments beyond its safety level there.
