Biosafety is one of the most important concerns for iGEMers. While we use synthetic biology to modify organisms, we are also responsible for the wild environment in which they live.
For this year's safety section, we have chosen a combination of experiments and hardware to stop the flow of gene edited organisms into the natural environment.
Experiment: We choose immobilized cell technology. Our experimental materials - Phaeodactylum tricornutum were made into immobilized microalgae beads using sodium alginate as the embedding material. At the same time, material exchange can still be carried out between the inside and outside of the algal sphere, which will not affect the normal growth of Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
Hardware: The photobioreactor made by us acts as a culture container itself, providing a closed environment for microalgae culture and isolating microalgae from the environment. Secondly, the bioreactor is equipped with UV lamp, which can be used to inactivate microalgae when necessary.
After completing the internal work of our team, we also actively communicate with other teams, hoping to find more effective and convenient ways to solve the biosafety problems. In mid-September, we held a biosafety session with the FBA Freshwater Remediation Consortium, a group of several other teams, and developed a manual for future reference by more teams. After the meeting, we had more thoughts on the safety part of our team and made improvements.
We are always responsible for the Gmos we create and will not release any Gmos into the environment without limit.
When our team conducts various experimental operations, we will strictly abide by the laboratory's safety guidelines and the rules announced by the iGEM Safety Committee. Our laboratory belongs to Protection level 1, and all our laboratory operators have received relevant safety training.
Use of the instrument: When we use various types of equipment, we will be subject to strict supervision, and there will be special safety management personnel to guide us in using the equipment. We are forbidden to operate dangerous instruments alone. We can only operate some instruments after safety training and the knowledge of the managers. This guarantees the safety of our team members.
Use of reagents:Some of our experiments will use volatile, toxic, and corrosive reagents. In order to ensure the safety of operators, we are strictly required to wear protective equipment such as laboratory suits, goggles, gloves and masks. For experimental waste, we will carry out strict classification to facilitate recycling. Experimental waste is strictly classified into solid and liquid, and each waste has strict recycling standards. We will use high-pressure steam to sterilize waste that contains microorganisms such as bacteria.