Difference between revisions of "Team:NUS Singapore-Sci/Safety"

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Safety when handling biological organisms
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Revision as of 18:38, 15 October 2018

NUS Singapore Science: Safety

Safety

Safety is imperative for the smooth functioning and progress of our project, especially since it involves the use of a variety of biological agents. Therefore, the team views safety very seriously and has put in much effort to ensure all protocols are up to standard.

Biosafety in our project involves minimising the risks to the researchers working in the laboratory, as well as the general public in future medical applications based on our research.

In line with our emphasis on safety in the laboratory, we are proud to announce that we have obtained an ‘A’ grade for the annual Faculty of Science Housekeeping Inspection 2018 for lab safety over the summer of 2018, an achievement for four consecutive years. We endeavour to continue maintaining a safe working environment for all researchers.
Safety when handling biological organisms
Non-pathogenic strains of E. coli such as BL21 and DH5α from Life Technologies and NEB Stable Competent E. coli were used for cloning of plasmids and expression of proteins of interest. Such strains have been modified such that the pathogenic gene islands has been removed and the strain used is considered non-pathogenic. These strains are Risk Group 1 and were handled in a BSL2 Biosafety cabinet. The mammalian human cell line, HEK293T is classified under Risk Group 2 and was also handled in a BSL2 Biosafety cabinet. Human embryonic kidney cells that have been transformed and immortalised with SV40 large antigen. Training for handling of mammalian cells or any new experimental protocol was provided by the principal investigator (PI) to all team members prior to the experiments.