Team:MIT/Safety

Safety

Safe Project Design

We used K-12 DH5-Alpha competent cells in our transformation protocol. These are Risk Group 1 organisms that do not cause disease in healthy adult humans. We also used human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells to engineer our leader cell with our desired protein plasmids. HEK-293 cells are a well documented line of cells tested and certified free of known pathogens which our iGEM team has been trained to handle properly. We are also using human leukemia 60 (HL-60) cells which will be differentiated into neutrophils using DMSO. Both HEK-293 and HL-60 cells have been classified as Risk Group 2 organisms. Risk Group 2 organisms can cause disease in humans, but the disease is treatable or preventable. All our experiments pose minimal risk, since we always follow standard lab protocols and use personal protective equipment.

Safe Laboratory Work

All members used appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in the laboratory including protective clothing, laboratory coats, and goggles. Every team member was required to go through laboratory specific training under MIT Weiss Laboratory standards prior to conducting any laboratory work. This training including courses such as Bloodborne Pathogens, General Chemical Hygiene, Managing Hazardous Waste, and General Biosafety for Researchers.