Bio-detectors have been a big part of the iGEM projects ever since the competition first started, it's easy to see why: One of the simplest systems to build using our current tools for synthetic biology is a simple Input→Output "linear" (Promoter→Signaling Gene) bio-detector but this method has a major flaw:

In order to get a detection signal that's visible to the naked eye, we must have a LOT of bacteria change color (or any other signal). With the linear approach we find ourselves needing high concentration of the detected material for our system to be effective!

Now, while this issue is far from new and various teams have already tried to tackle this exact problem before, our team worked for a year on a new approach utilizing things like quorum sensing for inter-bacteria communication and signal amplification which is possible thanks to our creation of a synthetic bio-film using a revolutionary organic molecule called Azobenzene, resulting in what we refer to as a

Synthetic Biology Education

We understand the fear and concern of the public about GMOs. Therefore we wanted to expose the public to synthetic biology.
We gave lectures to teens and adults from different backgrounds about synthetic biology, its great potential and safety concerns.
We also emphasized the importance of safe lab work as part of our lab activity for children.

Safety in the Lab

We took all the necessary precautions such as lab coats, safety goggles when using liquid Nitrogen and always woregloves.
No food was allowed in the lab and there was a separate area for computer work.
The dress code was also strict- when working in the lab we wore closed shoes and long pants/skirt.
While working in the lab we used Ethidium Bromide (EB) for using gel electrophoresis and analysis. This substance is a potent mutagen that is used as a nucleic acid stain.
Therefore, we took special precautions such as working with EB only in the chemical hood, and having separate disposal for EB. We also had have a separate area on the bench where we ran the gels. This area has its own equipment such as tips, pipettors and gloves.
When performing gel extraction, we were exposed to UV light for short periods of time. To minimize the exposure we used protection equipment such as face protection shields and full body lab coats.

Non-biological Safety
Another safety aspect of our project is the chemical one.
The Azobenzene production was done using a few chemicals that needed special caution such as 70% Nitric Acid. This substance is hazardous when it comes in contact with skin. Therefore, a face shield, full suit and all the appropriate protection was worn.
Another substance was chloroform which is carcinogenic. All the safety measures was taken, including personal protection and exhaust ventilation in the chemical hood. We also used AgO, THF and Zinc dust. AgO is irritating to the eyes and respiratory system, THF is hazardous when it comes in contact with skin and has carcinogenic effects, Zinc dust is an irritant when it comes in contact with skin. Therefore, the use of all these substances was under the guidance of our mentors and every step was evaluated by experienced chemists (We consulted Ruth Goldschmidt from Professor Livney's lab and also Emma Gerts, who is in charge of organic chemistry labs in the Technion) who advised us on all the necessary safety measures needed to be taken. The whole process was always done according to all safety precautions, in a chemical hood and the disposal was according to MSDS of the reagents.
Other chemical materials we used in the production of Azobenzene were not hazardous.
The Azobenzene as a product is not hazardous and is biologically safe. The product is not volatile and is not hazardous when it comes in contact with skin (according to Woolley Group, Department of Chemistry in the University of Toronto, Canada).
Our project combines both synthetic biology and chemistry. We think it's important to have a safety program in the iGEM competition for chemistry, not only for biology, which will allow the iGEM HQ to supervise chemical lab work as well.

Our System's Safety

Now that we discussed the general safety, the safety of our project needs to be assessed.
In our project we used E. coli strains as model organisms for our systems.
We chose this bacteria since it is common in laboratory use and the strains we used (BL21, Top 10-DH10β, DH5αz1, JW3367-3, BW25113) are non-pathogenic and safe to work with.
In the future, when we finish testing the whole system, adding a kill switch into the system would be a MUST to ensure a safe use of the bacteria as a detector.