Safety

Essential safety measures are observed:

• Members must wear lab coats, protective goggles, and disposable gloves
• No eating and drinking in laboratories
• Washing our hands with soap before leaving the laboratory
• Only perform experiments when teachers are present
• Autoclave is only operated by lab technicians
• Report all accidents at once
• Keep all waste in designated bags for further treatment

Our teachers, lab technicians, and advisors with previous iGEM experience were consulted for risk management. We have adopted proper microbiological techniques. Microbial waste is appropriately decontaminated and disposed of via autoclave or bleach.

Organisms

In this year's project, we have used the following organisms:

• Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)
• Escherichia. coli DH5-alpha

We have reassessed our safety measures after initial review of our safety form and have added access to a biosafety cabinet as advised. We have also completed the necessary check-in forms, moreover safety measures have been discussed with our advisors who are previous iGEMers. Regular meetings are held with them regarding lab plans and procedures to ensure utmost safety.

Lab Equipment

Parts

None of our parts could be hazardous. We will acquire parts from Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), which is a member of the IGSC.

Chemicals

There are chemicals that are highly flammable, corrosive, and irritating. The following is a list of these chemicals:

• Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)
• Manganese chloride hydrate (MnCl2·4H2O)
• Calcium Chloride (CaCl2·2H2O)
• Tryptone (C3H5NO)
• Kanamycin monosulfate (C16H18N3NaO4S)
• Ampicillin Sodium (C16H18N3NaO4S)
• Tris (Tris Base)
• Chloramphenicol (C11H12Cl2N2O)
• SYBR Safe DNA Gel Stain (C28H28N2O3S2)
• Ampicillin
• Hydrochloric Acid
• Potassium Hydroxide
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Piperazine-N,N-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (PIPES)
• Ethanoic acid

The hazardous chemicals listed above could cause various types of irritation including eye and skin irritation. Certain chemicals are also of a corrosive nature. Experimental aspects of the project including preparation of buffers such as TAE buffer and preparation of LB agar plates and liquid mediums require utilizing these chemicals which presents the risk of contact with the chemicals if mishandled leading to irritation. Other protocols such as the preparation of agarose gel for electrophoresis utilize chemicals like SYBR safe thus presenting the risk of irritation if proper measures are not adopted. Procedures such as competent cell preparation present similar risks like possible irritation if there is improper handling of hazardous chemicals. Handling hot liquids also presents risk of burn if mishandled. During waste control, autoclaving chemicals presents risk of burn, and bleaching cell culture presents risk of irritation if spilled.

Chemical irritation can occur when skin or eyes come into contact with hazardous substances, leading to redness, swelling or pain. Unintended contact may occur due to accidental exposure due to improper handling, spills and leaks. When autoclaving waste, if contact is made with hot surfaces or steam, severe burns may occur. Splashing of bleach onto skin can also cause severe irritation if safety precautions such as wearing lab coats and gloves are not taken.