NAU-CHINA always prioritizes the safety of experiments. When planning and experimenting, we will definitely conduct strict risk assessments for all steps. It is vital that scientific research is carried out safely to protect those who work in the lab as well as wider communities.

Just like our predecessors, before starting our wet lab work, all members of NAU-CHINA wet lab team members have received laboratory safety training from our experimental directors. This year, our project were carried out mainly in a laboratory classified as biosafety level 1. The equipment used in the laboratory, work space, reagent management are all in full alignment with iGEM's safety rules, all pertinent national laws, and our school's laboratory safety regulations.

Advances in biological life sciences and biotechnology hold great promise for our future, but these same technologies can also possess the capacity to be used in ways that harm us. Therefore, ensuring the safe conduct of scientific research is crucial for protecting both laboratory staff and the broader community.

Before Starting Our Wet Lab Work

We received general laboratory safety and safety training: showing us the location of safe showers, eyewashes, spills and hydrants, and emergency evacuation routes. Besides, we have received guidance on appropriate waste sorting, autoclaving and hazardous chemical waste programs.

When Working in the Laboratory

Before we enter the laboratory, we must first put on the lab coats, gloves, goggles and masks. We are not allowed to eat or drink in the laboratory, and we are not allowed to wear slippers. UV-resistant laboratory goggles must be worn when experimenting with harmful UV rays. In addition, we also have strict regulations on the treatment of experimental waste. All contaminated waste must be disinfected before it can be disposed of. For waste drugs, they are managed by the college.

Staff Requirements

The entire wet lab members previously worked in a lab with a biosafety level of 1 or 2. Every member entering the laboratory must pass the biosafety and biosecurity exams. Persons who do not comply with laboratory rules will lose their eligibility for experimentation immediately. Most importantly, adequate sleep should be maintained before the experiment.

Hardware Requirements

Air conditioning, professional equipment, and other equipment are regularly inspected, repaired and replaced. We must fill in the registration form before and after using the instruments.

Professional Guidance

When dealing with new instruments or equipments, the laboratory safety officer (responsible person) demonstrates the correct use and provides supervision to ensure safe and proper execution. In addition, our PI and instructors will check regularly to correct our mistakes (if there are any mistakes) in time.

Germ Information

The strains we selected are Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), Escherichia coli DH5α, and Escherichia coli TOP 10 from Vazyme Corporation. Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) is a non-pathogenic engineering strain of Escherichia coli that is close to "WT-wild-type" with less modification. Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) is suitable for high-efficiency prokaryotic expression of genes cloned in expression vectors containing phage T7 lac promoters (such as pET series) and capable to express non-toxic proteins. Escherichia coli DH5α is a mutagenic strain, mainly characterized by its lack of immunity to exogenous DNA. It is a receptive strain capable of taking in exogenous DNA. Escherichia coli TOP10 strain is an engineered K-12 strain used for plasmid cloning. This strain lacks the recA1 and endA1 genes, eliminating the interference of recombinase and nucleases, and enabling the stable replication of high-copy plasmids.

During Experiment

Our goal is to construct a temperature-controlled one-pot production platform so as to achieve quick and convenient manufacture of coloured cellulose. Everyone had learned about the appropriate method of operation at first. In addition, the genes of the temperature regulation module, the cellulose synthesis module, the dyeing module, and the waterproof module was synthesized by the company. During the whole experiment phase, we also paid attention not to release the engineered bacteria directly into the environment. Finally, if our products are put into factory production, strict disinfection and sterilization procedures will be carried out to remove the residual bacteria from the products. Thus, these bacteria will not be released into the environment and cause pollution.