Team:Alberta/SafetyForm

Summary of Safety Form

Lab members’ Safety and Protective Precautions

There are no significant risks, as the biological parts are not reasonably able to cause any health issues to team members.

All the components of our project are quite standard in molecular biology labs and are not associated with significant risks. Our microorganisms, biological parts, laboratory equipment and chemicals are mostly comparably benign. The strains which our team intends to use and has used thus far are harmless (nonpathogenic and non-toxigenic). The biological parts we are using consist of color, antibiotic-resistance (Chloramphenicol, Kanamycin, Ampicillin, Tetracycline) and various promoters. In terms of chemicals, the myriad of flammable solvents in the lab pose a notable risk, and in addition the ethidium bromide (EtBr) is a dangerous toxin and mutagen. EtBr is used to visualize DNA by soaking agarose gels in a solution of the compound. EtBr works by intercalating between bases in the DNA’s helical structure, where is it able to fluoresce much more brightly than it does while in solution. It is generally established that intercalating agents are mutagens, and that mutagens are carcinogens and for this reason EtBr is treated with a high level of caution in our lab. Experiments have shown that EtBr is able to cause DNA damage in human cell lines so this carcinogenic potential is not just theoretical. To mitigate risks, relevant microbiological techniques are consistently used in the lab and gloves are worn. Other precautions for EtBr include the labelling of designated containers for EtBr gels and EtBr waste, and the reuse of EtBr solution to minimize waste.

The most dangerous laboratory equipments we use are a transilluminator, gel apparatus, and the Bunsen burner. The risks posed by exposure to UV radiation, electric shocks and open flames can be easily controlled with proper safety training and protective equipment. A thick glass cover has been added to one UV visualizer in the lab to protect eyes when visualizing gels. Usually, a different UV visualizer is used for lab purposes because it photographs the gel without any UV exposure to eyes at all. Students are taught how to properly use equipment, dispose of wastes, autoclave used glassware and biologicallycontaminated waste, disinfect counters and know when to wear safety protection. Proper pipetting protocol is always used.