SAFE ORGANISMS

Species name (including strain)	Risk Group	Source	Human Risks	Aquisition	Use
E. coli (DH10B)	Group 1	http://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs /msds/2013/500015_MTR-NALT_EN.pdf 013/500015_MTR-NALT_EN.pdf	It may be harmful to people who inhale or swallow. In rare case, such as with susceptible person, it can cause eye and skin irritation.	We acquired from Professor King Lau Chow's lab in HKUST	As a chassis for carryout experiment, as a chassis for molecular cloning
E.coli (TK2240)	Group 1	National Institute of Health	It may be harmful to people who inhale or swallow. In rare case, such as with susceptible person, it can cause eye and skin irritation.	Laermann, V., Ćudić, E., Kipschull, K., Zimmann, P., & Altendorf, K. (2013). The sensor kinase KdpD of Escherichia coli senses external K+. Molecular microbiology, 88(6), 1194-	As a chassis for carryout experiment related to PkdpF and its mutant
E. coli (BL21 Rosetta)	Group 1	National Institute of Health	It may be harmful to people who inhale or swallow. In rare case, such as with susceptible person, it can cause eye and skin irritation.	Acquired from Professor Minjie Zhang's lab in HKUST	For producing Crude cell extract in For TX-TL cell free system
E. coli (S17)	Group 1	U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines	It may be harmful to people who inhale or swallow. In rare case, such as with susceptible person, it can cause eye and skin irritation.	Acquired from Silberg Lab in Rice University	E. coli used to conjugate with soil bacteria
E.coli (XL-1 EC)	Group 1	U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines	It may be harmful to people who inhale or swallow. In rare case, such as with susceptible person, it can cause eye and skin irritation.	Acquired from Silberg Lab in Rice University	Standard strain used for cloning
E. coli (MG1655)	Group 1	U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines	It may be harmful to people who inhale or swallow. In rare case, such as with susceptible person, it can cause eye and skin irritation.	Acquired from Silberg Lab in Rice University	WT used to conjugate w/ MG1655
E. coli (NEB 10-beta DH10B derivative)	Group 1	U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines	It may be harmful to people who inhale or swallow. In rare case, such as with susceptible person, it can cause eye and skin irritation.	Acquired from Tabor Lab in Rice University	Standard strain used for cloning
E. coli (JW1212-1)	Group 1	U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines	It may be harmful to people who inhale or swallow. In rare case, such as with susceptible person, it can cause eye and skin irritation.	Acquired from Yale CGSC	As a chassis for carryout experiment related to PdcuS
Azotobacter vinelandii (ATCC 12837)	Group 1	http://www.agrian. com/pdfs/HYTa_0-0-0.5_MSDS.pdf	It may be cause eye irritation; discomfort and temporary nausea if swallowed accidentally.	ATCC	conjugation of E. coli to soil bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum (ATCC 10004)	Group 1	http://xitebio.ca/pea-&-lentil-inoculant/ PeasRhizo-MSDS.pdf	There is no known health effects.	ATCC	conjugation of E. coli to soil bacteria

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SAFE PROJECT DESIGN

Biological safety is our priority, especially when our focus are related to the agricultural business. Our team do not want to release and genetically engineered organism into the field, nor to contaminate crop by directly applying the bacteria into the field.

Two approaches ensuring biosafety

Quarantining of Biological sample is the key to maintain biological safety. As a responsible iGEM team, we will not release any of our genetically modified organism outside the laboratory. In our design, we put emphasis on keeping the biosensors in the laboratory and bring the soil sample to the laboratory, instead of putting the biosensors to the field for in situ detection of ion level.

Using non-living biosensor is another approach that came to our mind. Being a non-living sensor, even if the sensor is accidentally leaked to the field, it will not be able to sustain nor to propagate itself. We opt to use cell-free transcription-translation system (CF TX-TL) system as the chassis of the non-living biosensors.

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SAFETY TRAINING COURSES

This year's HKUST-Rice team members have received safety training over the summer. Topics that we have learned about in safety training are as follows:

For HKUST:
1. Biological Safety
2. Chemical Safety I/ Chemical Safety for Laboratory Users
3. Chemical Safety II/ Hazardous Waste Management

The link to the laboratory safety training requirements of our institution (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, HKUST) can be directed to: http://www.ab.ust.hk/hseo/training.htm

For Rice University:
1. General Laboratory Safety
2. Blood Safety and Blood Borne Pathogens

The link to the laboratory safety training requirements of our institution (Rice University) can be directed to: http://safety.rice.edu/Training/Safety_Training_Requirements/