Our Questions
Question 1: Would any of your project idea raise safety issues in terms of research safety, public safety or environmental safety?
The strain of E. Coli we chose to work with, DSM 1103 is considered within Biosafety level 1 and as such is considered an agent with minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment. In any case an outbreak were to happen, our E. Coli strain doesn’t contain genes with toxin or antibiotic resistance. In case of contact with eyes or mouth, E. Coli can cause infections and as such we use wear gloves when dealing with our bacteria and dispose them in red safety bags a company will then sterilize before throwing them away.
Question 2: Are any parts or devices in our project associated with (or known to cause) pathogenicity, infectivity, toxicity, threats to environmental quality or security concerns?
The biggest risk comes from E. Coli infections to our team handling bacteria, an issue for which we have taken precautions. There are no other infectivity, toxicity of pathogenicity threats from our project. Security concerns are very low, as there are minimal security risks. Materials used are very common in microbiology labs and cannot be used maliciously or weaponized.
Question 3: Do any of the new BioBricks parts (or devices) that you made this year raise any safety issues?
We do not use any BioBricks parts this year, we have designed a device that only affects bacterial systems.
Question 4: Is there a local biosafety group, committee, or review board at your institution?
The department of Chemical and Biological Sciences is responsible for regulating safety standards and laboratories. The head of the department and its teachers are aware of our project and as such check on us and make sure we are following guidelines. When in doubt, we refer to the biosafety guidelines the CDC has made public.
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