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Team:Queens Canada/Safety
From 2013.igem.org
QGEM 2013 PRESENTS:
Keeping People Safe
Each team member on the Queen's iGEM 2013 team has received extensive lab safety and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training as several hazardous compounds were encountered. These include ethidium bromide, a potential carcinogen and mutagen, and sodium azide, a potentially deadly chemical. Ehidium bromide was used to run gel electrophoresis while sodium azide was used in several mini chemotaxis assays to paralyze Caenorhabditis elegant. Proper protocols were followed in handling both chemicals, including the use of appropriate safety equipment and proper disposal techniques. As the research conducted this year is considered Level 1 work, all iGEM students worked in an officially approved Level 1 Biohazard Lab. All Canadian national biosafety standards and guidelines were followed. Furthermore, the project idea, methods and safety considerations were reviewed by two faculty advisors, Dr. Kenton Ko and Dr. Ian Chin-Sang, who are both members of the Biohazard Committee at Queen's University.
The bacterial strains used in the research are non-pathogenic E. coli strains, including K-12, XL1-Blue, and BL-21. These are rated as Biosafety Level 1 and do not pose a threat to laboratory workers, the general public or the environment. All measures outlined in the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and the biosafety regulations present at Queen's University were followed. These measures prevent our genetically modified E. coli strains from being introduced into the environment, and from posing any risk to security through malicious misuse by individuals, groups, or countries.
ApplicationRisks
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