Ensuring the safety and security of our work was a central focus throughout every stage of our project. Synthetic biology has the potential to improve human and planetary wellbeing, but it must be pursued responsibly. Our team identified, assessed, and mitigated biological, chemical, physical, and security risks associated with our research, design, and outreach.

Risk Categories

We conducted a comprehensive assessment of potential risks related to our project, classifying them under the following categories:

• Biological Risks: We used K. phaffii, a non-pathogenic and GRAS-certified organism, ensuring minimal health and environmental risks. No mammalian or pathogenic sequences were handled.
• Chemical Risks: Experiments involving solvents or staining reagents followed COSHH guidelines. All chemicals were logged, labelled, and disposed of according to Imperial College safety protocols.
• Physical Risks: Proper PPE, lab inductions, and equipment training (centrifuges, autoclaves, biosafety cabinets) were mandatory for all wet lab members.
• Security Risks: Data, constructs, and materials were securely stored, and access to lab areas was restricted to trained members only.

These risks were reviewed and re-evaluated as our project progressed, ensuring all changes in scope or design were reflected in our safety assessments.

Design-Based Safety Measures

From the start, we incorporated safety-by-design principles into our genetic engineering strategy. Our chassis, constructs, and expression systems were selected to ensure minimal risk to humans and the environment:

• K. phaffii was chosen for its non-pathogenic profile and extensive use in industrial recombinant protein production.
• All constructs were assembled using non-toxic, antibiotic-free selection systems where feasible.
• No virulence, toxin, or mammalian proliferation genes were used.
• Plasmids featured controlled expression systems and biocontainment measures to prevent unintended expression outside lab conditions.

These design decisions form the backbone of our project’s biosafety, ensuring a robust and responsible foundation for future applications.

Laboratory and Operational Safety

All biological, chemical, and glass waste was segregated and autoclaved before disposal. Weekly safety checks ensured compliance with College guidelines for good laboratory practice.

Additionally, outreach and educational events were reviewed to ensure physical and ethical safety, especially for public and child-focused activities.

Biosecurity & Dual-Use Awareness

We recognise that biotechnology carries dual-use potential. While our work focuses on ethical, sustainable applications in food biotechnology, recombinant protein systems could theoretically be misused. To prevent this:

• All DNA sequences were screened against GenBank and pathogenicity databases before synthesis.
• Design files, samples, and reagents were kept under controlled access and not shared externally without approval.
• We followed the NSABB (2016) dual-use guidelines and discussed responsible research practices during team meetings.

These steps ensured our project remained aligned with iGEM’s safety and responsibility principles while contributing to a culture of biosecurity awareness.

Safety & Security Committee Challenge

The iGEM Safety and Security Committee challenges teams to apply biological engineering approaches to manage risks responsibly. Our project aligns with this mission by promoting accessible, transparent, and ethical biomanufacturing in safe laboratory conditions.

Learn more on the Special Prizes page.

Inspirations & References

• 2024 UCalgary
• 2023 BASIS-China
• 2023 Edinburgh
• 2023 EPFL
• 2023 NMU-China
• iGEM Safety Policies
• National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB). (2016). Recommendations for Evaluating the Risks and Benefits of Gain-of-Function Research.