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From 2011.igem.org

You can write a background of your team here. Give us a background of your team, the members, etc. Or tell us more about something of your choosing.
Tell us more about your project. Give us background. Use this is the abstract of your project. Be descriptive but concise (1-2 paragraphs)	File:WashU team.png Your team picture
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Safety

1. Would any of your project ideas raise safety issues in terms of:
   • Researcher Safety?
     • The WashU team is working primarily with very common, safe chemicals. However, several chemicals are known to be carcinogenic (Ethidium Bromide), corrosive (Acetone), or volatile (Hexane). For each of these types of chemicals, we have established safety protocols meant to protect the researcher above all else. For carcinogens and corrosive chemicals, PPE such as nitrile gloves, lab coats, and safety goggles are used. Additionally, all work with volatile chemicals is carried out in a fume hood.
   • Public Safety?
     • Whenever working with transformants (bacterial or otherwise) one must be conscious of the ability of organisms to mutate and become resistant to antibiotics or other selection markers. In order to slow this process, all bacteria that is to be discarded is thoroughly bleached and then disposed of in marked "Biohazard" bins which will later be sterilized. In this way, we hope to prevent any lab-produced organisms from interacting and transforming wild organisms which could result in a stronger or more dangerous organism.

• Environmental Safety?
  • Although we work with few harmful chemicals, those that we do work with are disposed of in compliance with local and federal EHS standards. All organic solvents as well as used gels are stored in separate vessels that are then handed off to our local EHS department. The EHS disposes of these harmful chemicals in a way that is least harmful to the environment.