We work with biology, electronics, and field-deployable tools—so we hold ourselves to clear, practical safety and ethics standards.
Biosafety Practices
- Containment Level: All lab work is conducted under Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) using non-pathogenic strains.
- Mutagenesis & Evolution: Performed under closed-system protocols (e.g., UV, EMS). No toxin or virulence genes used.
- No Select Agents or Toxins: We do not use or produce any organisms, genes, or substances listed under the Federal Select Agent Program.
- Waste Handling: All biological waste is either autoclaved or chemically neutralized before disposal.
- No Field Release: Genetically modified organisms are never deployed outside the lab. Field use is limited to enzymes or cell-free extracts.
- Material Sourcing: All strains and reagents are obtained from commercial sources or lab-maintained stocks. No wild or clinical isolates are used.
- Regulatory Alignment: Work complies with NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.
- No research is subject to FDA, IRB, human subject, or export control (ITAR/EAR) regulations.
Ethics & Field Deployment
- No Human Subjects or Tissues: We do not conduct research involving humans, human-derived materials, or personal health data.
- Wildlife Devices: We follow best practices for tag size and detachment. Devices are <5% of body mass and designed for non-invasive deployment.
- Data Practices: No personally identifying information is collected. All sensor data is encrypted in transit and storage.
- Dual-Use Awareness: Projects are evaluated for potential misuse. We avoid or redesign work with concerning applications.
Contact: For biosafety questions/concerns