Our exit/fire door, fire extinguisher, fire blanket & emergency power switch
Team:Macquarie Australia/Safety
SAFETY
Lab Safety
As the Macquarie University 2019 iGEM team, we conformed to the strict requirements provided by the Macquarie University Biosafety Committee (IBC) and workplace health & safety guidelines. As per the IBC’s protocol, we were required to complete a laboratory safety induction at the beginning of the project. This induction was performed by the head laboratory technician and involved the demonstration of correct safety protocols including but not limited to:
- The use of our autoclaves, microwaves as well as safe handling of their contents
- Necessary emergency evacuation and power shut off procedures
- All relevant chemical safety data sheets of all chemicals used
- Locations and usage instructions of the fire and chemical extinguishers; fire blankets; emergency showers and eyewash stations
In addition to the safety inductions, an advisor and/or laboratory technician was always present within the laboratory available for consultation. Prior to using any equipment throughout the project, we were briefed on the safe usage procedures.
Correct laboratory attire has been consistently enforced in lab coats, safety glasses and nitrile gloves, as well as enclosed toed shoes and appropriately tied back long hair.
All solvent extractions were performed in a fume hood to eliminate the risk of inhalation. Biological hazard usage and disposal procedures were adhered to by maintaining aseptic workspaces, and disposal of contaminated waste into designated biohazard waste material bins. These procedures ensured no accidental release of our modified strains into the environment.
Our safety shower, eyewash station & flammables storage safety door
Project Safety
Three strains of Escherichia coli were used throughout our project. DH5-Alpha, derived from the K12 strain, is a non-pathogenic strain classified as exempt dealing GMO under the Gene Technology Act 2000 by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) (the main regulatory body of Australian gene technologies). BL21(DE3), derived from B strain, Nissle1917 were also used and fall under the same classification as DH5-Alpha. All three strains are non-pathogenic and can be handled at a biosafety level of 1 and present little hazard risk to laboratory personnel as it is not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adults. The DH5-Alpha strain, in particular, includes mutations in the recA pathway which reduces homologous recombination and do not readily produce thiamine and leucine. As a result, these cells cannot survive unless provided with a source of thiamine and leucine, adding an additional level of safety.
The hydrogenase genes used in our product originated from Magnetospirillum magneticum and not readily found within E.coli. The genes would not give the modified organism any survival advantage or resistances besides the allowed antibiotic resistance gene found on the plasmid backbone supplied by iGEM.
The cyclic-di-GMP riboswitch used originated from Candidatus desulforudis audaxviator and when expressed in E.coli, is not advantageous for survival.
For these reasons, it is unlikely the hydrogen biosensor plasmid would offer any advantage to the survival of E.coli cell and is only viable in a controlled laboratory setting.
References
Australian Government, Department of Health – Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Gene Technology Act 2000. (Commonwealth).
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