Team:SIS Korea/Safety
Our bacteria are engineered to interact with PET molecules. The main purpose of our bacteria is to break down PET molecules by secreting the enzyme PETase through light-induced promoters and then break down the MHET from the PET degradation by secreting the enzyme MHETase.
The PETase and MHETase genes we incorporated in our bacteria originate from the bacterium Ideonella Sakaiensis, a bacterium originally found in a plastic treatment facility. PETase degrades PET into MHET. MHETase then degrades the MHET into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. The ethylene glycol is consumed by many microorganisms as a carbon/energy source, and terephthalic acid, while slightly harmful to humans, can be metabolized by a number of different microbes. Overall, the process of PET degradation through PETase and MHETase has largely insignificant consequences on the environment (more so in the laboratory). The benefits they bring to the ecosystem by degrading plastic are arguably greater.
Our chassis is derived from E.Coli, which is considered a Level 1 Biohazard by the CDC and, thus, mostly harmless. As a part of Risk Group Level 1, it is wholly permitted for use in iGem. There are harmful strains of E.Coli capable of producing toxins, but we only used ones that were fully safe for usage. Whether such bacteria remained in the laboratory or managed to escape, it wouldn’t make much of a difference to the local biological community or cause any particular detrimental effects on the health of organisms (including humans).
Our experiments with our organisms involved basic procedures of genetic engineering such as miniprep, electrophoresis, or cloning were all conducted within the experimental lab. Our lab included the necessary equipment for safe and accurate experimentation such as an autoclave, a clean bench, or a fume hood. These experiments did not involve any particular hazards and were done with the necessary personal equipment, such as nitrile gloves, lab coats, and protection goggles. By pertaining to complete protective measures, our group was able to ensure that safety is guaranteed for each individual member and general surroundings when conducting the experiments.
Safety
