Overview
Facing a large number of experimental samples and chemical reagents, we always put safety first. We strictly follow safety regulations and improve management forms, which further prompt us to systematically review potential risks during the experimental process. We continuously carried out safety training to ensure the health and pleasant experience of each team member. With the joint efforts of all members, the team has safely and efficiently completed all experimental work and, on this basis, has interacted and optimized the project design. The following will specifically present our practices and achievements in laboratory safety.
Interviews on Safety
In order to better complete our safety form, we had close communication with Porfessor Wang Shengbin from the Genetically Modified Testing Center. He is an expert with rich experience in the supervision and safety assessment of genetically modified crops. Through in-depth interviews, we systematically obtained policy interpretations and technical suggestions regarding the legal definition, approval process, safety control measures, and public acceptance of genetically modified crops. We received a series of suggestions from project design to laboratory safety. Including but not limited to:
1.Regarding safety measures, he explained that "the primary approach domestically relies on physical containment, where all harvested materials must be destroyed to prevent gene diffusion". He emphasized that "no biological materials are permitted to be released prior to obtaining the certification of approval".
2.Strengthen bio-safety control: In the subsequent experiments, we planned to strictly implement physical isolation measures. All genetically modified materials are only allowed to be grown and processed in biological breeding bases and lab chambers with supervision.
Biological Safety
Our project uses soybean (Glycine max) as the main carrier organism. As a plant system, its safety considerations are significantly different from those in microbial research. Our safety protocols have been meticulously designed to address the unique challenges in the field of plant biotechnology. The core objectives include: preventing gene leakage, ensuring environmental isolation, and strictly adhering to ethical and regulatory standards.
1.Prevent the Spread of Genes to Environment
All plant cultivation processes use sterilized culture media and containers. All experiments on genetically modified plants were conducted in controlled laboratory growth chambers. By means of physical isolation and dedicated equipment, the risk of cross-polination with external plants is minimized to the greatest extent.
We implement strict disposal procedures for all plant materials (seeds, tissues, pollen). All genetically modified plant waste must be sterilized under high pressure or chemically inactivated before being discarded to ensure complete elimination of biological activity.
2. Laboratory and Environmental Safety
The plant growth room is a dedicated control facility designed to prevent the accidental release of biological materials. Operators must wear special laboratory coats and gloves when handling plant materials and remove them before leaving the laboratory area. The laboratory strictly implements the cleaning and pest control plan to ensure the integrity of the plant culture system and prevent the spread of materials by insects and other media.
3. Official Rules
This research strictly adheres to all relevant regulations of the state and institutions regarding genetically modified plants. All team members have completed specialized training on biosafety and ethical norms in the field of plant biotechnology. We maintain detailed and accurate records of all plant strains, gene constructs and experimental procedures to ensure full traceability and compliance throughout the process.
Chemical Safety
This project involves the use of various chemical reagents, and all operations strictly follow the laboratory safety classification and grading management measures of South China Agricultural University. Detailed rules can be found in the official handbook: https://zcc.scau.edu.cn/sysaglist.htm.
We ensure that all chemical operations are carried out in certified chemical fume hoods. In addition, we have systematically inspected all chemical storage areas to ensure that containers are properly labeled and stored in designated locations, and that all reagents are kept below eye level to prevent accidental spills or contact.
Safety Training
All team members involved in the experiment received comprehensive safety training before conducting wet laboratory work. The training content covers the correct usage rules of key equipment, including ultra-clean workbenches, bio-safety cabinets, fume hoods, PCR instruments and metal baths, etc. Several members also completed a two-semester basic course in chemistry experiments.
To further enhance safety awareness, especially for students who are new to the laboratory, we organized additional laboratory safety training under the guidance of Professor Wang Cong, the laboratory safety officer. The training covers key biological and chemical operation norms and emphasizes that all experimental operations must be carried out under the supervision of senior members. After the training, each member of the wet laboratory signed the supplementary laboratory safety agreement, confirming their understanding and commitment to abide by it. Thanks to meticulous preparations, the experimental work that lasted for several months has been progressing smoothly without any safety incidents.
