Cartoon Scientist Cartoon Scientist with Microscope Friendly Bacteria DNA Helix

Potential Safety and Security Risks

1. Biological Risks

  • We use non-pathogenic E. coli for our experiments, which means it is not harmful to humans, animals, or the environment.
  • To prevent contamination, all media (such as agar and broth) is carefully checked by teachers and supervisors. If contamination occurs, the materials are sterilized and safely disposed of by lab technicians.

2. Chemical Risks

  • Antibiotic stock solutions are handled exclusively by teachers or lab technicians, with students only working with diluted solutions during experiments.
  • All chemical waste, including used equipment like pipette tips, is sterilized before disposal.

3. Physical Risks

  • Lab equipment such as incubators and freezers can only be used by our team members. No one else is permitted in the lab without supervision from a teacher or lab technician.
  • Personal safety rules, including wearing goggles, gloves, and lab coats, are strictly followed to prevent accidents.

4. Security Risks

  • To prevent the accidental spread of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), we use disinfectants like ethanol and bleach to inactivate them.
  • Any media that comes into contact with GMOs is treated for at least 4 hours before disposal.

Safety Measures

1. Restricted Access

  • Only team members are allowed to handle lab equipment and work in the experiment areas.
  • The lab is off-limits to others when there is no teacher or lab technician present.

2. Surface and Equipment Cleaning

  • All work surfaces are cleaned with ethanol spray after use to prevent contamination.
  • An automatic disinfecting feature is planned for our hardware to sanitize it using chemicals or UV light.

3. Health Monitoring

  • Lab members’ health is monitored by teachers, and anyone feeling unwell is not permitted to work in the lab.

4. Personal Hygiene

  • Eating and drinking are prohibited in the lab.
  • After experiments, gloves are disposed of properly, and everyone washes their hands.

Safety Features in Project Design

1. Non-Pathogenic Chassis

  • We chose non-harmful E. coli as our host organism to ensure safety.

2. Kill Switch for GMOs

  • When Remedix is launched to the public for testing, we will incorporate a "kill switch" into our GMOs, enabling them to self-destruct under specific conditions to prevent environmental spread.

3. Secure Hardware Design

  • Our hardware will feature sealed compartments and mechanisms to prevent any leaks or release of GMOs.

4. Bead Culture Handling

  • We use beads to contain GMOs during experiments, though some leakage into the tested water may occur.
  • All materials, including beads, are disposed of according to strict protocols.

Rationale for Safety Choices

  • We selected non-pathogenic E. coli to minimize risks to humans and the environment.
  • The kill switch ensures that GMOs do not survive outside controlled conditions.
  • Bleach and ethanol are used to safely inactivate GMOs and disinfect materials.
  • By adhering to strict rules for lab access, waste disposal, and health monitoring, we ensure the safety of everyone involved in the project.

Compliance with Safety Policies

  • Our project complies with all safety regulations set by the Hong Kong Education Bureau for biotechnology experiments.
  • This includes proper handling of GMOs, waste disposal, and safe lab practices.
  • A “safety corner” in our lab provides information about hazards and emergency procedures for all team members.