Our Commitment to Safety
All of our research is conducted in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL - 2) laboratory at the University of Delaware. We strictly adhere to the guidelines outlined in the university’s Biosafety Manual.
Safety Training
Before stepping into the lab, all CSW-UD iGEM members are give specialized training and certification by The University of Delaware through the SciShield platform. Students gain certification for the following safety protocols:
- Autoclave Safety
- Compressed Gas and Gas Cylinder Safety
- Laboratory Ventilation Safety
- Chemical Waste Disposal
- Fire Safety Training for Laboratories
- Advanced Chemical Hygiene/RTK Training
Additionally, all students are supervised by mentors (trained professionals) who dictate appropriate safety procedures and additional precautions when working with dangerous chemicals.
Project-Specific Risk Assessment
We have identified and planned for the specific risks associated with the biological parts, organisms, and chemicals vital to our project
Our microorganisms
All biological organisms (Alcanivroax borkumensis, E. coli DHalpha, E. coli BL21, E. coli BL21 star, E. coli BL21 pLysS, E. coli MFD pir+, E. coli WF3069) utilized in this project were non-pathogens and lab safe.
Primary Chemical Hazard
The main chemical hazards within our project are carcinogens, mutagens, acids and corrosive chemicals, and highly flammable chemicals.
- Carcinogens: acrylamide
- Mutagens: ethidium bromide
- Acids and corrosive chemicals: hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, tri-chloric acetic acid
- Highly flammable chemicals: ethanol, isopropanol
General Laboratory Protocols
Disposal Procedures
All biological materials used in the experiment were treated with a bleach treatment before disposal. Furthermore, all materials (including pipette tips, gloves, microtubes, etc.) which touched biological materials were properly disposed of in containers designated for biological waste. Chemical waste was sorted, labeled, and picked up by EHS (Environmental Health & Safety) team weekly in accordance with The University of Delaware’s safety guidelines.
Chemical hygiene
University of Delaware Policy 7 - 19: Control of Biohazards in Research and Education
Future Environmental Considerations
Goal: We envision our project being implemented within a factory or wastewater treatment plan meant to degrade oils and micoplastic pollution en masse
Environmental Risks: Additionally, we acknowlege that releasing our engineered organism in the wild would pose potential harm to human health and safety, agriculture, and other ecological factors.
Our Commitment: As a result, we plan to conduct biocontainment experiments to ensure any inadvertent release of bacteria would not survive in the environment.