<ahref="#"class="link-8">5. Use of synthetic biology</a>
<ahref="#Synthetic-Biology"class="link-8">5. Use of synthetic biology</a>
</h1>
</div>
<sectionclass="section-11">
<h1class="heading-59">1. Did the team make a contribution to biosafety and/or biosecurity?</h1>
<h1id="Contribution"class="heading-59">1. Did the team make a contribution to biosafety and/or biosecurity?</h1>
<divclass="text-block-6"><strongclass="bold-text-8">The team made a contribution to biosafety and security by using the correct disposal methods, following lab safety and procedure guidelines, and finding the best substitutions for potentially harmful parts of protocols.</strong><br></div>
<pclass="paragraph-51">1. The wetlab team used malachite green as part of our PAPS kit and we made sure to handle and dispose of it properly. <br></p>
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<ulrole="list">
<liclass="list-item-11">Anytime lab work needed to be done, there was at least one advisor/lab-trained mentor working alongside students in the lab to maintain lab safety and correct usage of lab equipment. </li>
</ul>
<h1class="heading-60">2. Is their contribution well-characterized and/or well-validated?</h1>
<h1id="Characterization"class="heading-60">2. Is their contribution well-characterized and/or well-validated?</h1>
<olrole="list"class="list-6">
<liclass="list-item-12">The usage and disposal of malachite green is key to the lab workers' health. By using safe protocols, safety measures, and correct disposal, we limit the effect Malachite Green can have on the Team and the environment. This also teaches the wetlab team how to handle toxic materials which will provide a valuable learning opportunity as well as teach us good practice in a lab setting. </li>
<liclass="list-item-13">By controlling the spread of E. Coli and limiting the opportunity for contamination, we maintain a clean and safe lab environment where everyone can conduct experiments in a controlled manner. BOSLab is a community lab and through the safe culturing measures we are able to keep it clean for everyone who uses the lab. </li>
<li>Using the “Green” fixing solution allows us to follow the same protocol and still get good results without any of the harsh chemicals found in a normal fixing solution. As a community lab, we are always searching for cheaper and safer options for protocols and by finding this we can save a great deal of money on materials and disposal. </li>
</ol>
<h1class="heading-61">3. Did the team build upon existing knowledge, understanding, tools or approaches? </h1>
<h1id="Building-upon"class="heading-61">3. Did the team build upon existing knowledge, understanding, tools or approaches? </h1>
<pclass="paragraph-55">We were able to build upon our previous knowledge and approaches by utilizing the lab training we were taught and by modifying protocols to fit our needs and resources.</p>
<olrole="list"class="list-7">
<li>Modified protocols:<br> - SDS Page Gel Fixing Solution<br> - Using HEPES for PAPS Kit instead of Phosphatase Buffer</li>
<li>Machine usage in the lab:<br> - Plate reader (620 nm) for PAPS Assay<br> - PCR Machine → gPCR and Incubation<br> - SDS Gel Runner<br> - Electroporation Shocker</li>
</ol>
<h1class="heading-62">4. In addition to broader safety work, has the team managed risks from their project appropriately? </h1>
<h1id="Risks"class="heading-62">4. In addition to broader safety work, has the team managed risks from their project appropriately? </h1>
<pclass="paragraph-56">Repetitive </p>
<h1class="heading-63">5. Has the team addressed the use of synthetic biology in the real world?</h1>
<h1id="Synthetic-Biology"class="heading-63">5. Has the team addressed the use of synthetic biology in the real world?</h1>
<pclass="paragraph-57">The problem with current porcine-derived heparin is that it is unfractionated, which oftentimes increases the strength of the heparin product. That being said, unfractionated heparin (UFH) is <strong>very non-uniform</strong> and therefore unpredictable, as it causes an allergic reaction called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Fractionated heparin, more commonly called low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is <strong>far more predictable</strong>. So, we decided to attempt to biosynthesize heparin in E. coli. We would then purify the heparin. By purifying, we would remove any and all contaminants and by synthetically producing the heparin, reducing the probability of contaminants because there are no live animals involved. By using E. Coli, we know all possible contaminants in our sample and we can target them more accurately in our purification, making it better than the current porcine-derived heparin. Moreover, E. coli-produced heparin is more uniform than LMWH, so the risk of HIT is significantly lowered.</p>
