Team:SoundBio/Safety
Safety
Safe Project Design
Our project can be split into two parts: producing bacterial cellulose and functionalizing that cellulose. Each part requires a different organism, K. rhaeticus for BC production and E. coli for functionalization. Both of these organisms are non-pathogenic and pose no risk to humans. We used Top10 E. coli, which is a common strain used for lab work. K. rhaeticus is found naturally from kombucha, which is a popular drink. In regards to our products, bacterial cellulose is not dangerous, it’s simply cellulose. In fact, in some cultures it’s eaten as a dessert (see nata de coco). As for E.coli, we planned on transforming them with genetic constructs that expressed the fluorescent proteins sfGFP or amilCP under different light conditions. Rather than have E. coli express anti-inflammatory or tissue-regenerating proteins, we chose a simpler alternative that would show the same results.Safe Lab Work
When working in the lab, we were careful to adhere to safety regulations. We were careful with glassware to avoid breakage. We sterilized area before and after working with live cultures. No food is allowed in the lab. Typical lab procedures involved transformations, gel electrophoresis, minipreps, PCR, digestion, and ligation. While handling buffers and solutions required in these procedures, gloves were always worn and hair was tied back. When running gels, we were careful to keep the lid to the gel box closed to prevent electrocution. After autoclaving or heating up media, we wore heat gloves to avoid burns when touching the media container. In the lab, members are always supervised by an advisor or student lead. All members were trained on how to use equipment before they were allowed to handle it themselves.Team/Lab Safety
Lab equipment and procedures can potentially have safety risks, so it was important that our team members were aware of safe procedures in the lab. All of our team members were instructed about lab safety and requirements before starting work in the lab through weekly training sessions over the course of two months.When in the lab, our team members wear safe clothing such as closed-toed shoes, gloves, and lab coats & goggles when additional safety measures are necessary. Our members wash their hands thoroughly leaving the lab, sterilize our equipment/lab, and avoid contaminating the lab with outside food and drink. Our waste is disposed in specific waste containers in the lab and biohazard waste is autoclaved before disposal.
Project Safety
Our project uses the bacteria E. coli, of which some strains can cause food poisoning. Because of this risk, our team uses the TOP10 strain of E. coli, which is engineered to pose no safety risk to humans. We also use the organism K. rhaeticus, which poses no safety risk to humans.Other than that, no unusually unsafe organisms or chemicals were used in the development of our project.
Hardware Safety
All of our lab equipment is sterilized and the lab cleaned up after each lab session. Our biological waste, namely bacterial cellulose sheets, was disposed into a biological waste container and autoclaved before being thrown away, and our cultures were bleached to prevent contamination. Sharps waste like syringe needles and serological pipette tips were discarded in special containers and autoclaved if used to transfer biological components. When we made media to grow K. rhaeticus in, in order to avoid a reaction that produces toxic fumes, we autoclaved the glucose solution separate from the other ingredients.In order to simplify the process and to minimize hardware used in the lab space, a remote connection was set up from the Raspberry Pi. This allowed our team members to work at a distance from the Raspberry Pi and the test container itself.
We used the appropriate power supply for the Raspberry Pi, and kept circuits separate from one another. All sensors were initially tested in safe and controlled conditions, without any hazardous chemicals nearby. When possible, all sensors or equipment attached to the Pi were turned off and stored away from the test area. Electrical tape was used to make all temporary connections. Appropriate adapters and power supply were used for all individual sensors attached to the Raspberry Pi. Finally, all heat sources were spaced apart to avoid overlap and any possible heat damage to any sensors or components.