KCIS_Xiugang_Taipei

In the Xiugang Campus of Kang Chiao International School, our team operates experiments in a standard P1 laboratory with an open bench. Thus, the main organisms of bacteria and yeast that we used are allowed in the laboratory. We do not use any other organisms or do any activities that are prohibited in the competition or uncovered by iGEM’s White List.--

Figure 1: Waste and disposal containers

Xiugang Campus of Kang Chiao International School has chemical fume hoods and also chemical waste containers for organic and inorganic chem waste for our iGEM team to use while handling the chemical reagents. There is also an Esco Airstream Laminar hood for our team to handle bacteria and yeast inoculation to avoid the contamination. The lab also has biohazard wastes, one is for bacteria and yeast plates, the other one is for tips and eppendorf tubes to avoid bio-waste contamination. For our project this year, we used DH5 alpha bacterial competent cells, and BY4741 yeast strain to do experiments. We were either autoclaving or bleaching E.coli, and yeast plates through the weekend and were autoclaving those tips and tubes before disposal to reduce any risks.

All members have also received safety and security training such as lab access and rules, microbial technique, personal biosecurity, biosafety equipment, and emergency procedures. For instance, we have taken basic training regarding the usage of lab coats, gloves, pipette sets, and biosafety rules. Some biosafety and biosecurity measures to mitigate risks we take include medical surveillance, data access controls, and Personal Protective Equipment. While doing experiments, the team is supervision by Ms. Kuo, an experienced researcher, in order to handle E. Coli and yeast properly .While working the experiments, our team also follow these 3 links, as guides as safety and security rules.

https://www.cdc.gov.tw/

https://bioaudit.cdc.gov.tw/cdc_doh/login.aspx

https://elearn.hrd.gov.tw/mooc/index.php

Besides everything we have done above, the iGEM ambassador, Sabrina Yao, and three additional labs at universities, collaborated with us on checking that we were meeting all of the required safety standards.