Overview
Team DNHS_SanDiego_CA is in full compliance with iGEM’s safety and security guidelines.
During the project's design, construction, and implementation phases, our utmost priority has consistently been safety. This commitment extends to incorporating special procedures, practices, and materials as necessary.
Lab Safety
All experiments were conducted at Sanford Consortium in Yeo Lab. Our working environment is a standard microbiological lab and is classified as biosafety level 1. There are chairs at each bench, multiple biohazard trash cans, and sinks in every row. At the back of the open bench region are -80 degrees Celsius freezers. Beside the open bench lab space is the incubator room. This lab contains a variety of incubators and freezers, along with multiple fume hoods. The neighboring spaces are temperature-regulated rooms that are used to run experiments in hot (37°C) or cold (4°C) environments. Finally, the dark room is used for reading gel electrophoresis results.
All experiments were thoroughly researched and performed with the guidance of scientists at the lab. For the conduction of the experiments, we used open bench areas, sterilized equipment, and biohazard bins to prevent contamination.
Our project exclusively involves activities that adhere to all California biosafety regulations, and all organisms and components utilized are listed as compliant on the iGEM competition's White List.
Purpose
Our lab practices emphasize proper training, sanitation, and containment to ensure the health and safety of all team members. By adhering to strict biosafety standards, we maintain a responsible and secure research environment.
Project Safety
We used the ProtoScript® II First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit, METTL3, YTHDF2, and GAPDH in performing qPCR.
We grew stress granules in SH-SY5Y cells, some of which were treated with sodium arsenic. Due to the toxicity of sodium arsenic, handling of the chemical was done under a fume hood with protective equipment and rigorous hygiene. We also washed the cells with Triton-X and PFA with micropipettes in controlled environments under a fume hood to limit safety hazards.
Purpose
Each procedure was carefully reviewed to minimize risks while maintaining experiment integrity. Safety measures like fume hood usage, PPE, and sterilization practices were consistently followed to ensure full regulatory compliance.
References
[2] Giso. (n.d.). California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5193. Bloodborne Pathogens. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5193.html