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Team:EPF-Lausanne/Safety
From 2011.igem.org
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The 2011 EPFL iGEM team has taken two approaches to its engineering work on transcription factors: one is in vivo and the other is in vitro. Neither presents any form of unusual safety risk. Nevertheless, we should highlight a few aspects of the work that present some risk to the public and to the researcher. | The 2011 EPFL iGEM team has taken two approaches to its engineering work on transcription factors: one is in vivo and the other is in vitro. Neither presents any form of unusual safety risk. Nevertheless, we should highlight a few aspects of the work that present some risk to the public and to the researcher. | ||
| - | * The ''in vivo'' manipulation of ''E. coli'' using various antibiotics, like ampicillin and kanamycin, always presents a minimal amount of risk to those who would be exposed to a resistant strain. The highest precautions are taken to manage and control these cell cultures. | + | * The ''in vivo'' manipulation of ''E. coli'' using various antibiotics, like ampicillin and kanamycin, always presents a minimal amount of risk to those who would be exposed to a resistant strain. The highest precautions are taken to manage and control these cell cultures. We dispose of any living matter (cells, pellets, plates) in a yellow bag that is collected every day by the safety units at the EPFL. Prior to disposal, all cell cultures are first bleached. |
* [http://sv-safety.epfl.ch/ The EPFL Safety Committee] has put together specific protocols to follow with regards to biological and genetic work that are available on their website. These rules are followed by all EPFL labs including the two labs that organize the iGEM experience. | * [http://sv-safety.epfl.ch/ The EPFL Safety Committee] has put together specific protocols to follow with regards to biological and genetic work that are available on their website. These rules are followed by all EPFL labs including the two labs that organize the iGEM experience. | ||
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* As regards chemicals, none of the current protocols require the use of highly toxic materials. | * As regards chemicals, none of the current protocols require the use of highly toxic materials. | ||
| - | * To get access to the clean rooms where wafers and microfluidic chips (for MITOMI and chemostat experiments) are produced, one has to undergo training with a clean room professional. All iGEM members involved in the production of these chips have been trained accordingly. The website for clean room safety is [http://cmi.epfl.ch/organisation/security.php here] | + | * To get access to the clean rooms where wafers and microfluidic chips (for MITOMI and chemostat experiments) are produced, one has to undergo training with a clean room professional. All iGEM members involved in the production of these chips have been trained accordingly. The website for clean room safety is [http://cmi.epfl.ch/organisation/security.php here]. More specifically, the training involves the use and wear of clean room gear (eyewear, body-suits, etc...) as well as the proper disposal of toxic chemicals involved in photolithography. |
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Revision as of 16:45, 7 July 2011
Safety
The 2011 EPFL iGEM team has taken two approaches to its engineering work on transcription factors: one is in vivo and the other is in vitro. Neither presents any form of unusual safety risk. Nevertheless, we should highlight a few aspects of the work that present some risk to the public and to the researcher.
- The in vivo manipulation of E. coli using various antibiotics, like ampicillin and kanamycin, always presents a minimal amount of risk to those who would be exposed to a resistant strain. The highest precautions are taken to manage and control these cell cultures. We dispose of any living matter (cells, pellets, plates) in a yellow bag that is collected every day by the safety units at the EPFL. Prior to disposal, all cell cultures are first bleached.
- The EPFL Safety Committee has put together specific protocols to follow with regards to biological and genetic work that are available on their website. These rules are followed by all EPFL labs including the two labs that organize the iGEM experience.
- As regards chemicals, none of the current protocols require the use of highly toxic materials.
- To get access to the clean rooms where wafers and microfluidic chips (for MITOMI and chemostat experiments) are produced, one has to undergo training with a clean room professional. All iGEM members involved in the production of these chips have been trained accordingly. The website for clean room safety is here. More specifically, the training involves the use and wear of clean room gear (eyewear, body-suits, etc...) as well as the proper disposal of toxic chemicals involved in photolithography.
