According to the reconstruction of TOR (Target of Rapamycin) pathway, our project is aimed at increase the tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. E. coli (Top 10), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (BY4742), and vectors based on them are frequently used throughout our experiments. Since we are intended to regulate the major signaling transduction network, expressions of hundreds of genes and a certain number of pathways will be affected, which may give rise to anxieties of safety regarding researcher and environment. Thus a whole set of experiment guidelines and safety rules are followed in every aspect of our project to minimize every possible threaten. Inside the lab, protective clothing, gloves and masks are required while performing experiments with latent danger such as gel cutting under UV, using toxic and volatile reagents such as phenol and chloroform in special areas. All researchers are required to clean up their working area and put back the experimental equipments. Furthermore, protocols for preservation and operation of common E. coli and yeast strains as well as the vectors are strictly adhered to, and make sure no pollutants are left unattended or take away from the lab, to prevent any toxicant or gene form spreading to the public or contaminating the environment.

   None of our new BioBrick would raise safety uneasiness. Following BioBrick requirements, we provide standard biological parts in standard BioBrick shipping plasmid, which can be mainly divided into four types: operators, reporters, target protein mutants and modified vectors. They are primarily involved in the phosphorylation of intracellular protein, thus wouldn’t cause any pollution or contaminant.

   Yes. Bio-safety group in our chemical engineering institute would operate safety checks of our experiment progress, monitor and evaluate the project periodically, at least once a semester, to make sure our operation won’t bring about safety issues and no pathogen would flow into the public. Besides, all the waste reagents should be specifically collected rather than directly throwing away in trash cans. iGEM laboratory construction of Tianjin University is always keep in paces with policies of state government and WHO, to take responsibility for safety of researchers as well as the public.

   The most valid way to attract people to focus on dealing with safety issues is to remind them of the significance of maintaining safe experimental and living environment, and to warn them of the potential hazard if biochemical crisis become out of control. As undergraduates, we should spare no effort to broadcast the opinion that bio-safety is not far from daily life, no matter whom you are and where you live. It truly exists in each drop of water we drink, and each breath of air we take in. It will be too late to stop it from spreading once contaminants flow into the public, yet it is never too late to prevent the crisis in advance.