Our team has always prioritized safety at its core, both for our members and our community. We wanted to create a system that could be deployed by non-experts, so it needed to be easy to use and safe. A sideline-appropriate sensor is our ultimate goal, not something that needs to be handled in a lab environment. Our project works by lysing the E. coli chassis, so it would be quite difficult for any modified bacteria to make it out into the wild. Although our project is remarkably safe, especially since an essential step of the process is cell death.
Our biosensor is made to be safe for users as a sideline concussion sensor. The sample collection method for this biosensor is projected to be non-invasive (saliva sample) or minimally invasive (finger poke blood sample). The device will utilize a cell-free system to ensure that nothing in the device will be harmful to users. The system will be well-contained in the device to make sure there is no leakage that could potentially cause a sensitivity reaction.
During our wet lab work, we followed proper lab safety protocols while working in the lab to ensure that there was minimal cross-contamination between our experimentation and the outside lab environment. Before we stepped into the lab, all members of iGEM were given a lab safety tour by the lab manager to learn about proper lab protocols and the biosafety cabinet in cases of emergencies. Within the lab, we had access to gloves, clean pipette tips, and biosafety disposal bags which were regularly switched out to limit cross-contamination. We worked under the flame to ensure a range of sterility when working with live cultures. In addition to our standard lab safety protocols, we had access to experienced professionals working in the lab at all times for guidance.