In our project, safety is always the first priority. We have thoroughly researched laws and regulations related to biosafety and conducted in-depth exchanges with experts and professors in the fermentation industry. Ultimately, we have developed a rational safety protocol for our experimental project.

We strictly obey the laboratory safety regulations issued by the Chinese government and Nanjing Tech University, and conduct experimental activities under the guidance of the Principal Investigator (PI). Every member of the wet laboratory team has completed professional safety training before entering the laboratory, including but not limited to the following aspects:

• Basic experimental skills:All individuals should be familiar with fundamental experimental procedures, proficiency in the operation of various equipment, understanding of the use of different reagents, and knowledge of basic information about the microorganisms used in the laboratory.
• Laboratory Safety Test: Only individuals who have passed the Laboratory Safety Test are allowed to run experiments.
• Experimental waste disposal: All individuals are required to follow relevant regulations for the recycling and treatment of laboratory waste. Domestic waste and hazardous waste are handled separately. Microorganism-containing waste liquids and toxic/hazardous waste liquids are discharged only after harmless treatment, with strict tracking of the entire disposal process to prevent environmental pollution caused by experimental waste.
• Safety precautions: Wear protective clothing and rubber gloves during experiments, and frequently wash hands and perform disinfection to prevent the spread of laboratory microorganisms.
• Emergency measures: In case of an emergency, contact the laboratory safety officer immediately and handle the situation in an orderly manner in accordance with the safety plan, prioritizing personal safety during rescue or evacuation operations.

Our PI, Professor Kequan Chen, serves as the chief supervisor of the experimental project and possesses extensive experience. He is available to provide guidance at any time during microbial experimental operations. Professor Jiao Feng, as the key supervisor, ensures that our experiments are conducted safely and that each step complies with the required standards.

During the experiment, we have complied with the Biosecurity Law of the People's Republic of China—a legislation that addresses biosafety issues in China from the perspectives of public health, biological resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity. We use Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain NT1003 for experiments. It is a commonly used laboratory model strain. When strict adherence to experimental guidelines is maintained, its biosafety is fully guaranteed. Meanwhile, we will also conduct genetic modification in accordance with routine operating procedures to avoid biosafety risks or genetic contamination.