Team:TU-Delft/Project
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=='''Safety proposal''' == | =='''Safety proposal''' == | ||
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- | ''Biosafety regulations'' | + | |
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Since 1997 Dr. L.A. (Lesley) Robertson is the Biological Safety Officer (BSO) of the Faculty of Applies Sciences of Delft University of Technology, she manages biological safety issues. She has knowledge of the laboratory practices and procedures within the faculty and oversees the biological safety program of the faculty. | Since 1997 Dr. L.A. (Lesley) Robertson is the Biological Safety Officer (BSO) of the Faculty of Applies Sciences of Delft University of Technology, she manages biological safety issues. She has knowledge of the laboratory practices and procedures within the faculty and oversees the biological safety program of the faculty. | ||
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Therefore, a research proposal was provided to Dr. L.A. Robertson. The research proposal included a table containing the micro-organisms, plasmids and existing BioBricks we intended to use. To ensure that we’ll work within the permit, there are two lists which state all the allowed vectors and hosts. These lists are provided, just like the permit, by the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial planning and the environment. During the writing of our research proposal, we constantly verified in these lists if our plans were allowed. After Dr. L.A. Robertson read or research proposal and verified all the vectors and hosts, she gave us the permission for our project. Now we can finally start our project, informing our BSO Dr. L.A. Robertson regularly on our progression in the lab and what we are planning to do in the near future. | Therefore, a research proposal was provided to Dr. L.A. Robertson. The research proposal included a table containing the micro-organisms, plasmids and existing BioBricks we intended to use. To ensure that we’ll work within the permit, there are two lists which state all the allowed vectors and hosts. These lists are provided, just like the permit, by the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial planning and the environment. During the writing of our research proposal, we constantly verified in these lists if our plans were allowed. After Dr. L.A. Robertson read or research proposal and verified all the vectors and hosts, she gave us the permission for our project. Now we can finally start our project, informing our BSO Dr. L.A. Robertson regularly on our progression in the lab and what we are planning to do in the near future. | ||
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'''''“Safety Issues” related to our Project''''' | '''''“Safety Issues” related to our Project''''' | ||
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=====Our Parts:===== | =====Our Parts:===== | ||
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Because, by regulation we are permitted to work only in ML-1 laboratories, we were aware that we will not work with hazardous and infectious host organisms and genes. Specifically, all the genes and devices that we use should be subject to regulations laid down by the Dutch Government. In our faculty of Applied Sciences and more specifically in Kluyver Laboratory of TU Delft, our team is allowed to work only in ML-1 laboratories with organisms labelled H1 and parts which are originated from non-infectious organisms by the regulation. All of them are already commercially used systems. As a result, all the parts we will construct can be considered as harmless. All our ideas and plans are verified and approved by our BSO. (Biological Safety Officer) | Because, by regulation we are permitted to work only in ML-1 laboratories, we were aware that we will not work with hazardous and infectious host organisms and genes. Specifically, all the genes and devices that we use should be subject to regulations laid down by the Dutch Government. In our faculty of Applied Sciences and more specifically in Kluyver Laboratory of TU Delft, our team is allowed to work only in ML-1 laboratories with organisms labelled H1 and parts which are originated from non-infectious organisms by the regulation. All of them are already commercially used systems. As a result, all the parts we will construct can be considered as harmless. All our ideas and plans are verified and approved by our BSO. (Biological Safety Officer) | ||
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=====Researchers’ safety:===== | =====Researchers’ safety:===== | ||
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On the other hand, regarding the laboratory techniques and chemicals that we are planning to use, there are some aspects that we have to be careful about. For our own safety in the lab we need to be careful with materials such as Bisacrylamide (cross-linking agent for the preparation of polyacrylamide gels) and ethyl bromide (chemical compound of the haloalkanes group). These materials are regarded as “dangerous, potentially carcinogenic substances”. Nevertheless, if everybody works according to a good laboratory practice, there will be no risks involved. | On the other hand, regarding the laboratory techniques and chemicals that we are planning to use, there are some aspects that we have to be careful about. For our own safety in the lab we need to be careful with materials such as Bisacrylamide (cross-linking agent for the preparation of polyacrylamide gels) and ethyl bromide (chemical compound of the haloalkanes group). These materials are regarded as “dangerous, potentially carcinogenic substances”. Nevertheless, if everybody works according to a good laboratory practice, there will be no risks involved. | ||
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=====Environmental and public safety:===== | =====Environmental and public safety:===== | ||
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Finally because our project is basically targeted in fundamental and industrial purposes, the organisms are not designed to be released in the environment! The organisms are designed to be used in a closed system, which of course involve specific rules. This makes our current contribution in synthetic biology lacking of environmental risk. | Finally because our project is basically targeted in fundamental and industrial purposes, the organisms are not designed to be released in the environment! The organisms are designed to be used in a closed system, which of course involve specific rules. This makes our current contribution in synthetic biology lacking of environmental risk. | ||
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'''''Biosafety for the “FUTURE”''''' | '''''Biosafety for the “FUTURE”''''' | ||
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The iGEM competition should keep working with well-known organisms. Off course projects, where the toxicity of organisms can be studied and be regulated, may be also very interesting and with huge contribution in the scientific field that we represent. However, it should be well contained and guided by experienced supervisors and scientists. Students should be well informed on lab regulations, especially when working as interdisciplinary teams. | The iGEM competition should keep working with well-known organisms. Off course projects, where the toxicity of organisms can be studied and be regulated, may be also very interesting and with huge contribution in the scientific field that we represent. However, it should be well contained and guided by experienced supervisors and scientists. Students should be well informed on lab regulations, especially when working as interdisciplinary teams. |
Revision as of 11:53, 15 July 2011