General
During our experimental work, we received rigorous safety training. Prior to entering the laboratory, we completed fundamental laboratory safety courses, which covered topics such as the proper use of a biosafety cabinet and the procedures for conducting gel electrophoresis in a clean room environment. These trainings provided us with a thorough understanding of laboratory safety practices and proved to be highly beneficial.
Pre-Operation Training
All team members were given biosafety instructions and training on laboratory rules by our lab before they entered the laboratory. We were given the correct method to use protective facilities such as coats, gloves, and face masks; knowledge to protect the experiment, including not bringing pathogen microorganisms from non-experimental things such as Cell Culture Fluid; don’t take meals, drink or operate the electronic equipment in our experimental lab. All operations were under our teacher’s guidance and supervision. We are guaranteed to meet the requirements of the biosafety standard, China National Standard and the Institution Biosafety Rule.
The following is the pictures that show us that have been well-trained and fully taught:
Teacher was asking us to strictly follow the school’s chemical purchase process and use the unified school platform. Do not obtain controlled chemicals from external units without permission, nor provide them to external units or individuals.
This is when teacher teaches us how to use the gel imaging system and the AGE methods.
Lab Safety
Level 1 Biosafety
Because the project involves the transformation of Streptomyces tk.24 by the alkB gene, we will do experiments in a biosafety level 1 lab. Before doing any experiments, all members will be trained about the following aspects: Appropriate way to use the bio-safety cabinets (clean bench) to operate within it properly; Correct entry and conduct in dust-free laboratory environments such as proper gowning procedures (lab coats), entering into designated dust-free area, and precautions to minimize contamination from other materials or environmental pathogens in lab work; Usages and principles about required instruments including PCR thermocycler, gel electrophoresis units with subassembly gel units, imaging system for agarose gels, centrifuge systems, incubator, pipetting devices, etc. Each team member must pass skills training exams regarding the operation of equipment, handling samples, etc., before conducting independent experiments.
Figure 1.1 Device for Gel electrophoresis
Figure 1.2 We are working on Gel electrophoresis
Recipient organism, Streptomyces (non-pathogenic laboratory strain), and the alkB gene of this project are all biosafety level 1 material, which would bring negligible risks to health and environment. There was no use of human or animal pathogens. Recombinant DNA manipulation will be based on biosafety procedures in the laboratory and for genetically modified microorganisms, as instructed.
All waste biological materials (culture media, used pipette tips, gel waste, etc.) will be placed into the buckets marked with plastics so they do not touch people and the environment. We will autoclave all liquid waste and collect solid waste following the requirements of our institute for managing the hazardous lab waste. We recycle all disposable plastics. We will be especially careful to prevent accidental escape of the genetically modified strain of Streptomyces. We also sterilise all cultures upon use. No live microbial strains can exit the lab without prior approval.
All the operations related to the lab will be limited to designated personnel, including instruments and biological materials stored under lock-and-key management, and the data securely filed in electronic devices or computer files. All our team members are trained in responsible research practices and biosafety requirements for handling live materials, as well as bioethical standards. These meticulous and extensive precautions ensure that our team performs alkB gene transfer experiments with safe operation, responsible behavior, adherence to biosafety criteria and principles set out by ethical guidelines.
Figure 2.1 Container for Gel
