Organisms

We have chosen Escherichia coli as the bacteria of choice for the chassis for our degradation system, due to its favourable properties including its high plasticity, fast growth, the expansive engineering tools available for E. coli, and as well as its low health and environmental risks. E. coli is a Risk Group 1 (no or low individual and community risk) microorganism and belongs to the iGEM Safety White List.

Chemicals

The following is a list of chemicals used in this project, and their corresponding safety hazards:

Compound	Safety Hazards
Acetone	H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapour. H319: Causes serious eye irritation. H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Acetonritile	H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapour. H302/ H312/ H332: Harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
Agarose	-
Ampicillin	H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction. H334: May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
Chloramphenicol	H318: Causes serious eye damage. H351: Suspected of causing cancer. H361fd: Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
Dimethyl sulfoxide	-
Ethanol	H225:Highly flammable liquid and vapour. H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
Ethidium bromide	H331: Toxic if inhaled. H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects.
Fenitrothion	H301: Toxic if swallowed. H312: Harmful in contact with skin. H330: Fatal if inhaled. H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Gold nanoparticles	-
Hexane	H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. H304: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. H315: Causes skin irritation. H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. H361f: Suspected of damaging fertility. H373: May cause damage to organs (Nervous system) through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled. H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Lambda-cyhalothrin	H301 + H311: Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin. H330: Fatal if inhaled. H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
LB broth	-
Methanol	H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. H301/ H311/ H331: Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. H370: Causes damage to organs (Eyes, Central nervous system).
MOPS Buffer	-
Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) solution (PDDA)	-
Petroleum ether	H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. H304: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. H340: May cause genetic defects. H350: May cause cancer.
TE 1x Buffer	-

Lab Induction

All of our team members were required to pass the following 7 lab safety training courses, before being granted access to the lab. The courses were provided by the School of Life Sciences, at the University of Warwick.

1. Health and Safety Induction
   Best lab health and safety practices, and fire evacuation procedures.
2. Fire Safety Training
   Fire safety awareness, fire extinguisher and fire wardens.
3. Risk Assessment training
   How to carry out a risk assessment for work related activities and how to complete a basic risk assessment form.
4. Local Exhaust Ventilation system user training
   Importance of the LEV systems, what they do and do not protect against, what basic user checks should be carried out, how to set up, and how to leave the LEV system.
5. Waste Management and Safety at Gibbet Hill
   Processes, procedures and decision-making in purchasing and using materials for the laboratory as well as good decision choices that will manage, reduce waste and increase the safety of users.
6. Chemical Assessment and Laboratory Safety Awareness
   Storage and use of chemicals under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR).
7. Sweep and tag system
   Basic fire information and emergency evacuation process which operates at the University of Warwick’s Gibbet Hill and Wellesbourne campuses.

Equipment

The team worked in a Level 1 standard microbiological lab with the following safety equipment:

• Biosafety cabinet
• Chemical fume hood
• Emergency showers
• Eye rinser
• Fire extinguisher
• Fire sand
• Fire blank

Lab Safety/Security Precautions

• Appropriate lab attire (e.g. long pants and closed shoes) and protective clothing (e.g. lab coat and gloves) were always worn.
• Personal belongings were stored outside of the lab.
• Risk assessments were made before purchase of chemicals.
• Flammable chemicals were stored in ventilated cabinets.
• Toxic chemicals were handled in fume hoods.
• Workbench was disinfected regularly.
• Chemicals and cultures were properly labelled and discarded.
• Hands were washed before exiting the lab.
• Training, via lab induction courses, was conducted before access to the lab was granted.