GMU:DIY Biolab “Driver’s License”/Safety in the lab

Safety in the lab

• Goggles. Sometimes you will want to work with goggles. In case if something gets into the eyes: clean with running water!
• Gloves. While working with chemicals or need clean environment for your organisms, wear gloves!
• Started your work in the lab? Wash your hands!
• Finished the work in the lab? Wash your hands!
• No eating in the lab: you could contaminate your organisms/samples or, you could be poisoned by chemicals
• Apron/lab coat. It is better to use a lab coat
• Never pour chemicals back into the bottles
• Never put chemicals back into the jars
• Close containers immediately after pouring or taking out chemicals
• Do not inhale chemicals or contaminated plates
• Flame is not aloud. In case if needed to get rid of bacteria, be careful!
• Read instructions before using equipment which is not familiar
• Clean your work bench with 70% ethanol before and after the work
• Do not put your fingers into your eyes/mouth

Ethics

Draft DIYbio Code for ethics from European congress

• Transparency. Emphasize transparency and the sharing of ideas, knowledge, data and results
• Safety. Adopt safe practices
• Open Access. Promote citizen science and decentralized access to biotechnology.
• Education. Help educate the public about biotechnology, its benefits and implication.
• Modesty. Know, you don’t know everything.
• Community. Carefully listen to any concerns and questions and respond honestly.
• Peaceful Purposes. Biotechnology must only be used for peaceful purposes.
• Respect. Respect humans and all living systems.
• Responsibility. Recognize the complexity and dynamics of living systems and our responsibility towards them.
• Accountability. Remain accountable for your actions and for upholding this code.

Bacteria, Yeasts, SCOBY

• Gapševičius, M. (2017). My Collaboration with Bacteria for Paper Production

References

• General Lab Safety
• Glassware Washing