Team:UQ-Australia/Safety

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Inspired by the circadian clock in humans which regulates a number of very important processes, we are trying to replicate this biological clock in a bacterial system. We are aiming to construct a network of genes that oscillates in a similar fashion to the 24 hour system in humans. If we are successful, we will be able to put different genes into our system so that we can make the bacteria perform a particular process periodically – a simple example of this would be to make them flash on and off consistently.

To achieve this oscillatory behaviour we will utilise a gene network with a series of inducible promoters that generate the production of other activating proteins, all driven by a constitutively active promoter. This promoter features an engineered repression domain (the inhibitor of this promoter being the output of the final step in the network). If everything goes as planned, these linked activations and repression will produce fluctuating levels of the proteins in question, which could then be used to drive our output function (initially just GFP production and a timed fluorescence). Ultimately, we hope our system could be used to drive the timed release of drugs or other biological factors.

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Safety

1. Would any of your project ideas raise safety issues in terms of researcher, public, and environmental safety?

Any expected safety issues regarding researcher, public, and environmental safety, have been addressed prior to beginning the experimental work for iGEM.

Prior to starting the experimental parts of our iGEM project, our members went through series of inductions including Physical Containment 2 (PC2) training, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) & Environmental Management induction, and separate inductions of each lab by respective lab managers. Undergoing PC2 training allowed us to work with Genetically Modified materials inside a PC2 lab, required for working with genetically modified organisms. This is in conjunction to standard university online general induction training, annual fire safety training, and lab safety training. Student members were supervised in a lab environment when carrying out lab procedures or using lab equipments that required supervision, all with appropriate personal protective equipment (lab coat, gloves, closed shoes, and safety goggles), as indicated by material safety data sheets (MSDS) evaluated in risk assessments.

To ensure the safety of the general public, we ensured that no materials within the lab are exposed to the public as well as the environment. When transporting materials from one lab to another, we transport the materials in a double-sealed container. No personnel without PC2 training were allowed in the lab. When disposing waste materials, biohazardous waste materials were disposed in the appropriate biohazard bin, likewise with sharps. Should an incident occur where others are placed in danger, an incident report is filed and handled by relevant personnel.

2. Do any of the new BioBrick parts (or devices) that you made this year raise any safety issues?

We are yet to register our BioBrick parts in the registry. We anticipate that issues could be raised when transporting biological materials between Australia and Overseas. Imported goods are required to go through the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). They have rules regulating what is allowed into the country to ensure that the environment is not harmed.

3. Is there a local biosafety group, committee, or review board at your institution?

We have AQIS that regulates what is coming in and out of Australia. There is an Environmental Management Committee at the University of Queensland who ensures that all university personnel are familiar with environmental management relevant to them. There is an OHS committee at the School of Biomedical Sciences (where we are based) to ensure the safety of the researchers, public, and the environment. This is comprised of Workplace Health and Safety officers (WHSO), AQIS representatives, Workplace Health and Safety Representatives (WHSR), Biosafety Advisors, and Work Injury Management Team.

4. Do you have any other ideas how to deal with safety issues that could be useful for future iGEM competitions? How could parts, devices and systems be made even safer through biosafety engineering?

Current safety regulations have thus far been sufficient in maintaining the safety of the researchers, public and environment.

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 Any expected safety issues regarding researcher, public, and environmental safety, have been addressed prior to beginning the experimental work for iGEM.
-Prior to starting the experimental parts of our iGEM project, our members went through series of inductions including Physical Containment 2 (PC2) training, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) & Environmental Management induction, and separate inductions of each lab by respective lab managers. Undergoing PC2 training allowed us to work with Genetically Modified materials inside a PC2 lab, required for working with genetically modified organsims. This is in conjunction to standard university online general induction training, annual fire safety training, and lab safety training. Student members were supervised in a lab environment when carrying out lab procedures or using lab equipments that required supervision, all with appropriate personal protective equipment (lab coat, gloves, closed shoes, and safety goggles), as indicated by material safety data sheets (MSDS) evaluated in risk assessments.
+Prior to starting the experimental parts of our iGEM project, our members went through series of inductions including Physical Containment 2 (PC2) training, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) & Environmental Management induction, and separate inductions of each lab by respective lab managers. Undergoing PC2 training allowed us to work with Genetically Modified materials inside a PC2 lab, required for working with genetically modified organisms. This is in conjunction to standard university online general induction training, annual fire safety training, and lab safety training. Student members were supervised in a lab environment when carrying out lab procedures or using lab equipments that required supervision, all with appropriate personal protective equipment (lab coat, gloves, closed shoes, and safety goggles), as indicated by material safety data sheets (MSDS) evaluated in risk assessments.
 To ensure the safety of the general public, we ensured that no materials within the lab are exposed to the public as well as the environment. When transporting materials from one lab to another, we transport the materials in a double-sealed container. No personnel without PC2 training were allowed in the lab. When disposing waste materials, biohazardous waste materials were disposed in the appropriate biohazard bin, likewise with sharps.