Difference between revisions of "Team:BostonU HW/Safety"

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<h2 align="center"> Project Design </h2>
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<h4> Our microfluidic device is designed for cell-free systems for simplicity. Following further development, we could proceed to extend our systems to include mammalian cells. This would reduce the risk of harming any human, animal, or plant.</h4>
 
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<h4> To create our microfluidic chip, we use a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer to bind the control layer and the flow layer. This is a polymeric organosilicon compound that has no marked harmful effects on organisms in the environment. Thus, it is a safe silicone to use for our consumer market, which are biologists in labs. Consequently, if our product is successful and is extended to include cell systems, the chemicals and tools we are using will not harm any living organism.</h4>
<p>Please visit <a href="https://2016.igem.org/Safety">the main Safety page</a> to find this year's safety requirements & deadlines, and to learn about safe & responsible research in iGEM.</p>
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<h4> When all of our materials are used up, our materials can be safely dealt with. Our polycarbonate base for the entire setup and microfluidic chip is recyclable, and the rest of the plastics (the 3D printed parts and PDMS layer) can be easily discarded. However, these materials are safe and much cheaper than other technologies that do the same thing. </h4>
<p>On this page of your wiki, you should write about how you are addressing any safety issues in your project. The wiki is a place where you can <strong>go beyond the questions on the safety forms</strong>, and write about whatever safety topics are most interesting in your project. (You do not need to copy your safety forms onto this wiki page.)</p>
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<h4> One problem that could arise with our project design is creating a living environment inside the microfluidic chip for future use with cell systems. This would require more thinking and future experiments to find a good solution. </h4>
 
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<h5>Safe Project Design</h5>
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<h2 align="center"> Safe Lab Work </h2>
 
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<p>Does your project include any safety features? Have you made certain decisions about the design to reduce risks? Write about them here! For example:</p>
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<h4> Being a hardware team, we work in a computer laboratory with no chemicals, toxins, or extreme cold temperatures. However, we do have machines and tools. To ensure lab safety, we wear eye protection when working with the drills, and wear gloves when needed. </h4>
 
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<li>Choosing a non-pathogenic chassis</li>
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<li>Choosing parts that will not harm humans / animals / plants</li>
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<li>Substituting safer materials for dangerous materials in a proof-of-concept experiment</li>
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<li>Including an "induced lethality" or "kill-switch" device</li>
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<h5>Safe Lab Work</h5>
 
  
<p>What safety procedures do you use every day in the lab? Did you perform any unusual experiments, or face any unusual safety issues? Write about them here!</p>
 
 
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<h5>Safe Shipment</h5>
 
 
<p>Did you face any safety problems in sending your DNA parts to the Registry? How did you solve those problems?</p>
 
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Revision as of 13:20, 5 July 2016

Safety



Project Design


Our microfluidic device is designed for cell-free systems for simplicity. Following further development, we could proceed to extend our systems to include mammalian cells. This would reduce the risk of harming any human, animal, or plant.


To create our microfluidic chip, we use a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer to bind the control layer and the flow layer. This is a polymeric organosilicon compound that has no marked harmful effects on organisms in the environment. Thus, it is a safe silicone to use for our consumer market, which are biologists in labs. Consequently, if our product is successful and is extended to include cell systems, the chemicals and tools we are using will not harm any living organism.


When all of our materials are used up, our materials can be safely dealt with. Our polycarbonate base for the entire setup and microfluidic chip is recyclable, and the rest of the plastics (the 3D printed parts and PDMS layer) can be easily discarded. However, these materials are safe and much cheaper than other technologies that do the same thing.


One problem that could arise with our project design is creating a living environment inside the microfluidic chip for future use with cell systems. This would require more thinking and future experiments to find a good solution.

Safe Lab Work


Being a hardware team, we work in a computer laboratory with no chemicals, toxins, or extreme cold temperatures. However, we do have machines and tools. To ensure lab safety, we wear eye protection when working with the drills, and wear gloves when needed.





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