Team:Kyoto/Safety

From 2012.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
(→Safety)
 
(25 intermediate revisions not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
-
{{Kyoto/css}}
 
{{Kyoto/header}}
{{Kyoto/header}}
-
Some of the biological reagents and experiments necessary for the project needed safety measures. They were; Ethidium Bromide (EtBr), phenol, chloroform, 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, gas burner,polyacrylamide,2-mercaptoethanol and ultra violet LED. To make sure they were correctly used, the safe way of conducting the experiments were taught to the person who was going to deal with these possibly hazardous substances beforehand. The equipments and reagents mentioned above were handled with care.
+
==''' Safety '''==
-
    EtBr　(Ethidium bromide):　EtBr is regarded as a mutagen, carcinogen or teratogen[1]. Lab members were briefed on the possible effects of EtBr. During the experiments, we wore gloves. After usage, the gloves and gel were separately disposed.
+
'''Q1. Would any of your project ideas raise safety issues in terms of: researcher safety, public safety, or environmental safety'''?
-
    Phenol and 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic Acid: Phenol and its vapors are corrosive to the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory tract　[2]. 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid can cause serious irritation to the eyes[3]. These were handled under the draft chamber.  
+
We use the following creatures and genes.  
-
    Chloroform: Chloroform is a possible carcinogen. To avoid unnecessary exposure, this was also handled under the draft chamber.  
+
・Creatures
 +
*''Arabidopsis thaliana''
 +
*''Escherichia coli
 +
''
 +
・Genes
 +
*tatABCD operon
 +
*TAMO reductase
 +
*torA signal
 +
*pspA
 +
*Kil
 +
*FLOWER LOCUS T
 +
*others in iGEM Parts Kit
 +
　FLOWER LOCUS T is derived from ''Arabidopsis thaliana'' and other all genes expect for iGEM Parts Kit are derived from ''E.coli''. All experiments are conducted under the Biosafety level 1 control. All of rubbish containing recombinant E.coli is not carried out of our Lab before being sterilized. We always take care to lock the door of our Lab when there is no person so that the possibility that someone goes into our Lab and takes away recombinant cells is very low.
-
    Gas Burner: We used gas burners and heat the air around the workspace to cause it to rise, thereby reducing contamination. Although the gas burner is a common combustion apparatus we are all familiar with, it can cause a massive disaster if used improperly. We made all-out efforts to keep all the flammable items away from the flame and not to pass behind a person who is using a gas burner.  
+
　We are trained in applicable lab safety to ensure researcher safety and environmental safety. The researchers have also been trained in proper usage of chemicals and equipment. Some of the biological reagents and experiments necessary for the project needed safety measures. They were; Ethidium Bromide (EtBr), phenol, chloroform, 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, gas burner, ultra violet LED, polyacrylamide, 2-mercaptoethanol, PFA. Therefore, all researchers keep following rules when we use the chemicals or equipment above.
 +
* EtBr　(Ethidium bromide):　EtBr is regarded as a mutagen, carcinogen or teratogen. Lab members were briefed on the possible effects of EtBr. During the experiments, we wore gloves. After use, the gloves and gel were separately disposed.
 +
* Phenol and 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic Acid: Phenol and its vapors are corrosive to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid can cause serious irritation to eyes. These were handled under the draft chamber.
 +
* Chloroform: Chloroform is a possible carcinogen. To avoid unnecessary exposure, this was also handled under the draft chamber.
 +
* Gas Burner: We used gas burners and heated the air around the workspace to raise the temperature, thereby reducing contamination. Although the gas burner is a common combustion apparatus we are all familiar with, it can cause a massive disaster if used improperly. We made all-out efforts to keep all the flammable items away from the flame and not to pass behind a person who is using a gas burner.
 +
* Ultra Violet LED: Ultra violet (UVB) is harmful to eyes. Hence, the LEDs were lit only inside the cardboard box and we only look at it to check if it is properly lit to avoid long exposure.
 +
* polyacrylamide,2-mercaptoethanol:We used these reagents for Western Blotting. They are toxic even though they are necessary to check the expression of target proteins so we asked for advice on how we should store them and obeyed the rules of Kyoto University.
 +
* PFA: This reagents are used to microscope E.coli by Confocal laser scanning microscopy. This is ususally stored in Prof.Agata’s Laboratory
-
　　　　polyacrylamide,2-mercaptoethanol：We used these reagents for Western Blotting. They are Toxic even though they are necessary to check the expression of target proteins so that we ask advise how we store them and obeyed the rules of Kyoto University. 
+
'''Q2. Do any of the new BioBrick parts (or devices) that you made this year raise any safety issues?'''
 +
* NO. Currently we have no BioBrick which raises any safety issues. The BioBricks we made this year are derived only from lab-safe strains of Arabidopsis thaliana and E.coli.
-
    Ultra Violet LED: Ultra violet (UVB) is harmful to eyes. Hence, the LEDs were lit only inside the cardboard box and we only look at it to check if it is properly lighted to avoid long-time exposure.
 
-
2. Safety of the General Public and Environment
+
'''Q3. Is there a local biosafety group, committee, or review board at your institution?'''
-
Not only do we focus on the "safety in the lab", we also had to take care to make sure that the hazardous materials were safely kept inside the lab. We stayed in the lab on a rotating basis to keep out outsiders and thieves, and the door was locked and held by the person in charge.
+
Yes. We submitted the experiment plan to the Environment, Safety, and Health Organization, Kyoto Univ. (http://www.esho.kyoto-u.ac.jp/index.php) and were allowed to operate genetic modification of the bacteria under the Biosafety level 1(. Experiments were planned following the safety guidelines of the university (http://www.esho.kyoto-u.ac.jp/wp-content /uploads/2008/05/25_01.pdf). These guidelines are based on national laws and this includes several regulations on GMOs (http://www.bch.biodic.go.jp/hourei1.html). We carried out our experiments in the students-laboratory of the Graduate School of Science / Faculty of Science, Kyoto Univ, which has its own department for safety and environment. All of the lab members received training for PCR, culture of cells, miniprep and etc., the minimal genetical operations and use of autoclave.  
-
Even when good security is maintained, we should always be careful of misrelease of the bacteria or others(this time: fruit fly). As our experiments were only allowed in the BSL1, all bacteria we cultured were categorized in the BSL1 and of minimal safety risks in itself. In the second stage of the brainstorming for our project, we consulted our advisors on environmental risks. The genes we transferred would not be pathogenic, infectious or toxic even if they are misused for malicious purpose. We autoclaved all tips and pipettes which came into contact with the GMOs. Flies we bred would not disrupt the environment because they are the common strain in Japan. Considering these things we concluded there is little risk of environmental disturbance.
+
'''Q4. Do you have any other ideas how to deal with safety issues that could be useful for future iGEM competitions? How could parts, devices and systems be made even safer through biosafety engineering?'''
-
3. Regulations
+
 +
IGEMers should set up a common clear biosafety regulation in iGEM competition and establish a systematic guideline of education about biosafety. This education should include information about biohazard and biotechnology risk assessment and risk analysis.
-
We submitted the experiment plan (the form is at [4] only available to the insiders of the univ.) to the Environment, Safety, and Health Organization, Kyoto Univ. [5] and were allowed to operate genetic modification of the bacteria under the Biosafety level 1. Experiments were planned following the safety guideline of the university [6]. These guidelines are based on national laws and this includes several regulations on GMOs [7]. We carried out our experiments at the students-laboratory at the Graduate School of Science / Faculty of Science, Kyoto Univ, which has its own department for safety and environment. All of the lab members received training for PCR, culture of cells, miniprep and etc., the minimal genetical operations and usage of autoclave. They were separated into 3 groups each supported by one graduate student.
+
　Backgrounds of iGEMers have become wider and wider, from high school students to graduate student in biology and from major in physics to major in molecular biology. For some students, iGEM is the first contact to genetic engineering and they have little knowledge of biohazard and importance of biosafety. Each iGEM teams, of course, teaches the knowledge to their members.However, a systematic education way of biosafety will help students to understand biosafety and to conduct their experiments more adequately.  
-
4. Idea
+
-
Every team had to check if there were any parts or materials that might raise safety issues. It was, however, really difficult for all the lab members to be aware of it. Our safety motto is "Safety is of primary importance. Discuss with other members everything related to your project". If something like this is written on the Registration page, we believe more people will be aware of the importance of safety. Some might think this is over-protection but like we were thought since we were young "better safe than sorry". This idea can be used for other checkpoints such as human practice.  
+
From these reasons, we recommend that iGEM establish a systematic guideline of education about biosafety.  
-
Questions
 
-
    Would any of your project ideas raise safety issues in terms of
 
 +
'''We work together with KAIT_Japan on issues of safety.'''
 +
Cooperatively with KAIT_Japan, We iGEM Kyoto placed icons on our Wiki, which immediately enable you to see a risk of parts. The icons are as follows:
-
 
+
*Bio safety level 1：http://partsregistry.org/Image:Biosafety_Level1.png
-
    Do any of the new BioBrick parts (or devices) that you made this year raise any safety issues? If yes,
+
*Bio safety level 2：http://partsregistry.org/Image:Biosafety_Level2.png
-
        did you document these issues in the Registry?
+
*Bio safety level 3：http://partsregistry.org/Image:Biosafety_Level3.png
-
        how did you manage to handle the safety issue?
+
*cases which affect biological community: http://partsregistry.org/Image:Biocenosis.png
-
        How could other teams learn from your experience?
+
*cases which affect the environment :http://partsregistry.org/Image:Environment.png
-
    Is there a local biosafety group, committee, or review board at your institution?
+
*cases which affect human bodies:http://partsregistry.org/Image:Humanbody.png
-
        If yes, what does your local biosafety group think about your project?
+
*cases which includes a certain risk because of mutations: http://partsregistry.org/Image:Mutation.png
-
        If no, which specific biosafety rules or guidelines do you have to consider in your country?
+
-
    Do you have any other ideas how to deal with safety issues that could be useful for future iGEM competitions? How could parts, devices and systems be made even safer through biosafety engineering?
+
*safe: http://partsregistry.org/Image:Safety.png
{{Kyoto/footer}}
{{Kyoto/footer}}

Latest revision as of 05:32, 25 September 2012

  • Home
  • Project
  • Method And Material
  • Notebook
  • Consideration
  • Team
  • SiteMap

Safety

Q1. Would any of your project ideas raise safety issues in terms of: researcher safety, public safety, or environmental safety?

We use the following creatures and genes.

・Creatures

  • Arabidopsis thaliana
  • Escherichia coli

・Genes

  • tatABCD operon
  • TAMO reductase
  • torA signal
  • pspA
  • Kil
  • FLOWER LOCUS T
  • others in iGEM Parts Kit

　FLOWER LOCUS T is derived from Arabidopsis thaliana and other all genes expect for iGEM Parts Kit are derived from E.coli. All experiments are conducted under the Biosafety level 1 control. All of rubbish containing recombinant E.coli is not carried out of our Lab before being sterilized. We always take care to lock the door of our Lab when there is no person so that the possibility that someone goes into our Lab and takes away recombinant cells is very low.

　We are trained in applicable lab safety to ensure researcher safety and environmental safety. The researchers have also been trained in proper usage of chemicals and equipment. Some of the biological reagents and experiments necessary for the project needed safety measures. They were; Ethidium Bromide (EtBr), phenol, chloroform, 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, gas burner, ultra violet LED, polyacrylamide, 2-mercaptoethanol, PFA. Therefore, all researchers keep following rules when we use the chemicals or equipment above.

  • EtBr　(Ethidium bromide):　EtBr is regarded as a mutagen, carcinogen or teratogen. Lab members were briefed on the possible effects of EtBr. During the experiments, we wore gloves. After use, the gloves and gel were separately disposed.
  • Phenol and 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic Acid: Phenol and its vapors are corrosive to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid can cause serious irritation to eyes. These were handled under the draft chamber.
  • Chloroform: Chloroform is a possible carcinogen. To avoid unnecessary exposure, this was also handled under the draft chamber.
  • Gas Burner: We used gas burners and heated the air around the workspace to raise the temperature, thereby reducing contamination. Although the gas burner is a common combustion apparatus we are all familiar with, it can cause a massive disaster if used improperly. We made all-out efforts to keep all the flammable items away from the flame and not to pass behind a person who is using a gas burner.
  • Ultra Violet LED: Ultra violet (UVB) is harmful to eyes. Hence, the LEDs were lit only inside the cardboard box and we only look at it to check if it is properly lit to avoid long exposure.
  • polyacrylamide,2-mercaptoethanol:We used these reagents for Western Blotting. They are toxic even though they are necessary to check the expression of target proteins so we asked for advice on how we should store them and obeyed the rules of Kyoto University.
  • PFA: This reagents are used to microscope E.coli by Confocal laser scanning microscopy. This is ususally stored in Prof.Agata’s Laboratory

Q2. Do any of the new BioBrick parts (or devices) that you made this year raise any safety issues?

  • NO. Currently we have no BioBrick which raises any safety issues. The BioBricks we made this year are derived only from lab-safe strains of Arabidopsis thaliana and E.coli.


Q3. Is there a local biosafety group, committee, or review board at your institution?

Yes. We submitted the experiment plan to the Environment, Safety, and Health Organization, Kyoto Univ. (http://www.esho.kyoto-u.ac.jp/index.php) and were allowed to operate genetic modification of the bacteria under the Biosafety level 1(. Experiments were planned following the safety guidelines of the university (http://www.esho.kyoto-u.ac.jp/wp-content /uploads/2008/05/25_01.pdf). These guidelines are based on national laws and this includes several regulations on GMOs (http://www.bch.biodic.go.jp/hourei1.html). We carried out our experiments in the students-laboratory of the Graduate School of Science / Faculty of Science, Kyoto Univ, which has its own department for safety and environment. All of the lab members received training for PCR, culture of cells, miniprep and etc., the minimal genetical operations and use of autoclave.

Q4. Do you have any other ideas how to deal with safety issues that could be useful for future iGEM competitions? How could parts, devices and systems be made even safer through biosafety engineering?

IGEMers should set up a common clear biosafety regulation in iGEM competition and establish a systematic guideline of education about biosafety. This education should include information about biohazard and biotechnology risk assessment and risk analysis.

　Backgrounds of iGEMers have become wider and wider, from high school students to graduate student in biology and from major in physics to major in molecular biology. For some students, iGEM is the first contact to genetic engineering and they have little knowledge of biohazard and importance of biosafety. Each iGEM teams, of course, teaches the knowledge to their members.However, a systematic education way of biosafety will help students to understand biosafety and to conduct their experiments more adequately.

From these reasons, we recommend that iGEM establish a systematic guideline of education about biosafety.


We work together with KAIT_Japan on issues of safety.

Cooperatively with KAIT_Japan, We iGEM Kyoto placed icons on our Wiki, which immediately enable you to see a risk of parts. The icons are as follows:


Retrieved from "http://2012.igem.org/Team:Kyoto/Safety"