Difference between revisions of "Team:SCAU-China/Safety"

Our lab is classified as Biosafety Level 1, which means the lab uses microbes that pose little to no risk to healthy individuals. Hazardous chemicals and solutions are used at a minimal level and in well ventilated areas such as fume hoods in the SCAU research lab.

In order to ensure that the experimental operations are safe to humans and the environment, we trained all our team members in experimental operations. And every team member has been asked to take a series of safety courses including biological safety, chemical safety and general safety which are provided by the university.

Additionally , we followed a lab safety handbook to ensure that we use chemicals in a safe way.

We use the chloroform and phenol when we extract the genome and plasmid , and both of the drug are poisonous. But we treated them very careful, for example, we weared the gloves to protect ourselves and all toxic and organic reagents are placed in special recycling bins.

1. We use the wood toothpick instead of needles which may stick ourselves during picking E.coli colony.

2. We wrap the broken glass crucible in plastic before discarding it.

3. All of used disposable laboratory consumables will be brought together and then recycled by a dedicated person.

The chassis that we used belongs to the P1 level according to the classification of biosafety.

1. We use E.coli strains termed DH5alpha and DH10B for the molecular cloning. They are non-pathogenic and have been widely used for gene cloning in many labs around the world. It has been shown that they are barely toxic to researchers when handled properly. We have participated in the biological safety course provided by our university and been well trained for handling the E.coli safely.

In addition, Acetobacter xylinum and cyanobacteria (Synechocystis sp., Scytonema javanicum and Microcoleus vaginatus) are safe microorganisms. and they can't live without of the culture medium and do not have any harmful effects on human health.

3. Finally, all organisms are sterilized prior to being discarded.