Team:Bordeaux/Safety

Loading...

☰ Menu

• HOME
• TEAM & FRIENDS
  • Team Members
  • Collaborations
  • Crowdfunding
• PROJECT
  • Description
  • Design
  • Experiments
  • Notebook
  • Results
  • Attributions
• PARTS
• SAFETY
• HUMAN PRACTICES
  • Human Practices
  • Education & Engagement
• AWARDS
  • Applied Design
  • Measurement
  • Model
• JUDGING FORM

✕

Safety

Safety is our main concern at iGEM Bordeaux. We are committed to identify and manage risks involved by our project. To reach this goal, we implemented containment practices and good laboratory practices in accordance to practices already used in our laboratory. All of this must be performed in order to avoid any risks for lab workers and environment.

Members of the team who have worked in the lab received specific safety training by the lab staff. This training provided basic information such as correct conduct to adopt in case of accident or fire including location of emergency exits and safety showers.

Biologicals risks

Our project included no specific biological risks with the use of Escherichia coli strain DH5alpha classified as a risk group 1 organisms. This strain do not cause any disease issue for a healthy adult. The only health issue would be for immunosuppressed individual in case of ingestion. Another risk is the cross contamination of common materials or other culture at the lab. Moreover, as we use genetic engineered organism with especially antibiotic resistance gene, we need to avoid any environmental exposure to these organisms. In order to prevent theses issues, we have implemented strictly containment practices such as the use of biosafety cabinet and specific disposal for biological wastes. In case of development of our project at bigger scale, the containment of our engineered E.coli will not be an issue as the biocatalysis of HMF in FDCA could happen in a closed bioreactor.

Chemical risks

The main risks involved by our project is the use of chemicals. The main risks are caused by the use of EtBr (Ethidium bromide) which is carcinogen, and the use of HMF which can cause skin, eyes and respiratory irritation. The use of nitrile gloves, protection glasses and lab coat is mandatory to prevent any contact. Since HMF is a powder, it is handled under a laboratory fume hood to prevent respiratory exposure.

In order to implement an efficient safety policy into iGEM Bordeaux activities, we try to identify and assess every risk involved by our project and to take all the measures needed to prevent any of this risk.