General lab safety
Our experiments took place in two laboratories: the ICOA and the LBLGC. In these two laboratories, we were welcomed respectively by Arnaud Paris and Manhattan Lebrun who showed us around the laboratories while explaining the laboratory's safety rules and the protective equipment necessary for our handling.
Moreover, throughout our experiments, they were present to check that everything was going well and safely.
The experiments were conducted in compliance with the health and safety rules imposed by the iGEM competition and by French legislation. Each member of the Laboratory team is familiar with these rules and respects them.
Members of the Laboratory team had access to the laboratory all day long from 8:30 am to 7 pm as long as a manager was present in the building.
Bacterial cultures and molecular biology
The molecular biology and bacterial culture part was mainly carried out in the ICOA laboratory. Most of the manipulations were carried out under the sterile atmosphere of a laminar flow hood. The equipment used and the culture media are also autoclaved to make them sterile.
Quentin and Thibaut performing tests at the ICOA
Heavy metal
The part relating to heavy metals was mainly carried out in the LBLGC laboratory.
This laboratory is used to working with metallic trace elements and therefore has all the necessary protective equipment. During metal handling, we were equipped with gloves, lab coat, filter mask and safety glasses. In order to carry out the ICP, mineralization of the samples was also carried out under a hood using strong acids.
The laboratory also has special bins for the treatment of objects or liquids contaminated with heavy metals.
Alexandre weighing heavy metals at the LBLGC