Ensuring a Safe, Secure, and Responsible Environment
Our lab at ASIJ is classified as Biosafety Level 1, as we work with agents that do not cause disease in healthy adults and do not harm the researchers or the environment. This year the only type of organism we used was NEB 5-Alpha Competent K-12 E. Coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Sigma Aldrich which are both on the White List. Since these are lab grade E.coli and all plates/tubes containing E. coli were autoclaved before disposal, this posed no risks to our colleagues or community.
Furthermore, we follow the standard University lab safety for Japan, JNIOSH, the implementation of which was overseen by our building safety officer, Mr. Bhupesh Upadhyay. More information about JNIOSH can be found here.
In the lab, we have standard fire and earthquake safety measures. For biological safety, we have an Eye Wash Station, Autoclave, Incubator, and PCR workstation with working HEPA filters. In addition, we use bleach, a glass-only waste container, non latex gloves, lab coats, and safety goggles that are routinely sanitized in a UV goggle sanitizer unit.
Individual safety-wise, all individuals working on project have been instructed in laboratory techniques and the locations of fire safety equipment. Individuals have also been instructed on how to handle and properly dispose of reagents and biological components (E.coli.) The lab includes an autoclave for preparation and decontamination, and all surfaces are wiped with bleach after each experiment.
We also had experts overseeing our project to manage any of the risks associated with our lab work. Beth Crissy, our Principal investigator, insured safety procedures were followed in the lab setting. She has a long history of working with E.Coli and S. Cerevisiae and managing molecular biology lab.
Regarding our specific project, this system in yeast would be used in the fermentation process in miso or other fermented food if it were to fully develop into a real product that people could consume. In Japan, products containing genetically modified organism need to undergo Cartagena Protocol. This sets the rules to control international transfers of living modified organisms (LMOs) based on “The Convention on Biological Diversity,” which aims at conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the earth [1]. Only after the product is assessed on its safety according to Food Sanitation Act [2], examined through public consultation, and approved by the competent ministers, it can be distributed as a food with a LMO label.
References:
Ministry of the Environment. (2010). Biosafety Regulation in Japan. Tokyo
Consumer Affairs Angency (2018). Geneticallly Modified Food. Retreived from https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/consumer_safety/food_safety/food_safety_portal/genetically_modified_food/
