First of all, all our work is covered by the White List, so we are not doing any of the kinds of work that require advance permission from IGEM. In fact, we have confirmed that relevant laws, regulations, and institutional rules do not require us to get formal approval.

As shown in the images, our project requires working in a biosafety level 1 laboratory (Level 1- standard microbiological lab), therefore, we only worked with organisms that are not harmful to humans or the environment. To ensure safe handling of the laboratory, all team members received an introduction to the S1 area of the respective laboratory.

All security measures have been approved by our Primary PI, who has supervised us at all times and whenever we have needed it.

In our project we have only used organisms belonging to risk group 1. Specifically, we have used E. coli BL21 and E. coli TOP10 Chemically Competent, which do not pose a risk to humans. All the transformed strains as well as the constructs and the different liquids and solids that have had contact with the genetic material have been inactivated and eliminated to mitigate the harm of introducing resistance genes into the environment.

During the whole process in the laboratory, we have taken into account different factors that contribute to safe work. First of all, as indicated by the laboratory safety regulations, we have taken into account clothing and personal protective equipment. This includes a lab coat, safety glasses and gloves. In addition, for handling biological materials, we have used as containment arrangements: biosafety cabinets, open benches and chemical fume hood.

Throughout the human practices we have carried out, we have not only exchanged knowledge but also ways of working. As far as possible, we have tried to instill in those we have met, in one way or another, the values that iGEM pursues, including how to ensure the safety in the laboratory and how to avoid environmental pollution.

As a clear example of the importance we placed on dissemination and education, in a responsible manner, we conducted a survey for purely statistical purposes and of an anonymous nature, with the aim of assisting the study related to mental health and the circular economy.

We believe it is very important, from education to put into practice, in a responsible way, the values that we have learned from the hand of experts in the fields of mental health, circular economy, but also from our colleagues from other iGEM teams and from teachers and leaders in the laboratory in the biosafety part.