1. Biosafety Level of Our Laboratory
With the guidance from iGEM competition and local safety requirements, our laboratory is ranked as Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) in order to keep our members from bio-risks (Fig.1). BSL-2 laboratory generally deals with applicable microorganisms without pathogenic potential risk on healthy.
Additionally, all the parts and species we utilized are environmentally friendly, not potentially harmful, or pathogenic to healthy individuals. Before entering the laboratory, everyone can notice the reminders as follows.
Fig.1 BSL-2 laboratory
2. Biosafety warning
Biosafety is critical important for preventing from exposure to biohazards or pathogen dissemination, concerning on the issues of ecology and hygiene. Poor experimental operations and unqualified instruments would possibly contribute to deficient safety guarantee.
The measures of biosafety include the regular auditing the conformance of laboratory facilities and instruments and the executing of strict laboratory safety guidelines, etc. (Fig.2). Working with synthetic biology experiment, especially high-security facilities and instruments are required to prevent harmful chemicals or engineered organisms from being released accidentally.
Fig.2 Measures of biosafety
3. Laboratory safety
During the entire experiment, each member strictly followed the criteria as follow: Fire, when electric heaters and microwaves are used, it should not be left without supervision. Our lab is also well equipped with fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, and fire blankets to make sure that the fire could be extinguished within a short time (Fig.3). Our safety instructor has trained everyone how to use this extinguishing equipment.
We have also studied the using method of alcohol lamp, eyewash equipment and other essential safety procedures. Bacteria should be operated in laminar flow hood to secure isolating from environment. Wastes containing living organisms should be autoclaved before throwing into medical wastes bins, and transfer to a certain institution for disposal. Glass apparatus should be disinfected regularly. Rubber gloves, lab coats, long pants, and shoes should be equipped to cover the entire skin when doing experiment.
Water, fire, electricity, and air conditioner should be examined whenever an experiment is suspended. The laboratory is cleaned and disinfected at least once a week and at necessary conditions.
Fig.3 Firefighting access and fire-fighting facilities and equipment
4. Laboratory safety related facility
Our lab is equipped with advanced instruments to ensure safety (Fig.4), including laminar flow hood, autoclaves, and personal protective equipment. We also set trashes especially for polluted wastes. And we have medical bins containing some certain medical wastes at any time.
Fig.4 Safety facilities and equipment
5. Procedure of sterilization of Escherichia coli
With the requirement for sanitation and epidemic prevention, disinfectants are very important for our laboratory. Lab-specific Chlorination tablet are used to kill the Escherichia coli. Every time we to make sure Escherichia coli completely die after using it. And after we pour into the sewer, the sewer in the laboratory building has another special equipment for sterilization.
Before we do the experiment, we have a careful check to make sure that everything is eligible. After the check, we will carry out a thorough disinfection to ensure that no bacteria contaminate the laboratory. After we finish the experiment, we will carefully store the experimental results in the designated place, and carry out a thorough sterilization for useless engineered bacteria plate before put them into medical waste bin.
6. Safety education and training
Before our team members start the experiment, we have been trained with safety issues systematically. For example, we have been trained how to use extinguishers and fire blankets; also, we've learned the rules of environmental cleaning and disinfection, and medical waste sterilization and made a schedule for it. We give sincere thanks to Professor Ren from Shandong University for offering the training session.
7. Safe Project Design
Before designing our project, all team members have received biosafety training. We show some safety instrument pictures mentioned above.
In the process of realizing our project, we used some equipment and disinfectants, such as autoclaves and 75% alcohol, to ensure the biological safety of the laboratory. The project was performed by choosing a non-pathetic chassis, such as BL21 strain. The parts we have transformed are harmless to hard humans, animals, plants, and the environment.
In the proof-of-concept experiment, we did not use dangerous materials. The paper strip sensor we prepared is a cell-free system, so we have not the leakage problem of the strain to the environment. In a word, our project is harmless to human beings and the environment.
8. Safe Lab Work
Before entering the laboratory, we wear isolation clothing, gloves and shoe covers. Clean and disinfect the laboratory before and after the experiment. Wear goggles when working in the laboratory. Operate the strain in the biosafety cabinet.
The strains used in the laboratory are autoclaved before being put into the medical waste bin. After the experiment, put the gloves and shoe covers into the medical waste. Take off the isolation clothes, clean and disinfect the hands, and then leave the laboratory.
We did not perform any unusual experiments, and face any unusual safety issues.