Safety is always the foremost priority we need to consider. Luckily there were no experimental accidents during our iGEM program.

In consideration of the current COVID-19 pandemic, strict pandemic prevention measures were enacted. At entry, guards check our “green codes“ to ensure we are at no risk of contracting COVID-19. These codes display the latest nucleic acid test conducted, and are green if the test turns out negative. If we don’t have a negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours, we are not permitted entry.

Before Feed Family gathered in Shanghai to start our in-person experiments, our teacher instructed us on basic laboratory rules over virtual meetings. For example, we learned how to use some of the machinery in the lab and what we should do if accidents occurred. We also learned basic information regarding biochemical engineerings, such as information about DNA, RNA, and proteins. In the lab, a professor would reiterate the lab rules daily. They include, but are not limited to:
1. Wear gloves, masks, and lab coats when using laboratory facilities.
2. Do not touch personal devices or anything that will be brought outside of the lab with gloves on.
3. All food, drink, and smoking materials are strictly prohibited in the lab.
4. All equipment must be returned to its original places after usage.
5. Do not point the opening of a container at others when heating substances.
6. Do not smell, touch, or taste anything directly.
7. When operating in the laminar flow cabinet, 75% alcohol must be used to disinfect the hands and arms. The alcohol must be dry before lighting the alcohol burner.
8. Heavy gloves must be worn when operating sterilized pans to avoid burns.

Our experiments were conducted in the ATLATL company. This is a specialized facility containing many offices and laboratories for experiments. Before entering the premises, guards ensure we are not carrying dangerous goods. In addition, a card is required to open most doors leading to laboratories and other facilities. The professor guiding us has possession of such a card, but none of us do. This ensures we do not enter potentially hazardous areas without the supervision of a capable adult as well as prevents dangerous individuals from entering the lab.

Due to the nature of our experiments, we used lots of enzymes and bacteria. These include E. coli Bl21, DNA T4 ligase, XynA, Xyl3A, CcxynA, restriction enzymes, DNA polymerase, PNC-5, and TOP10 competent cells. All of the enzymes we used are safe, active, and stable, and stored at appropriate temperatures. The suited temperature is around minus ten degrees Celsius to zero degrees Celsius. All lab equipment, such as Petri dishes, beakers, and graduated cylinders, were cleaned or sterilized before use. In addition, we were constantly reminded to be mindful of damaging some machines. For example, we were instructed to handle the sensor of the DNA Spectrophotometer with utmost care to not break anything. Some other rules surrounding the usage of materials include:
1. Used chemicals should be disposed of in the appropriate waste disposal bin.
2. The used disposable tips of mechanical pipettes should be discarded after each use.
3. Do not point the disposable tip of the mechanical pipette at anyone else.
4. When using a centrifuge, the centrifuge tubes should always be balanced with another of the same mass in the slot opposite to it.