Demonstration Projects
We would like to implement several demonstration projects at MIT,
in which a hazardous substance is replaced by a less toxic and more
environmentally friendly alternative. One such project is the replacement
of ethidium bromide with SYBR Safe® DNA gel stain. Read on to
learn more about this project and two other demonstration projects
carried out since Spring 2005. Funding for these demonstration projects
is provided by the EPA through the People, Prosperity, and Planet
(P3) Student Design Competition for Sustainability. For more information,
please contact greenchem@mit.edu.
Sustainable Chemistry Awards
Replacement of Ethidium Bromide with SYBR Safe® DNA
Gel stain
Spring 205 Award: Kendra Bussey (Chemistry Department)
Ethidium bromide is widely used in molecular biology laboratories
for identification and visualization of nucleic acid bands after
electrophoresis; it fluoresces upon exposure to ultraviolet light.
While it is effective, it is a powerful mutagen, and moderately
toxic after acute exposure. Due to its mutagenic properties, MIT
has special procedures in place for ethidium bromide disposal. There
are now less hazardous replacements for ethidium bromide. SYBR Safe
DNA Gel stain is less mutagenic than ethidium bromide, and its detection
sensitivity is better than that of ethidium bromide. In addition,
disposal of SYBR Safe is not regulated because of its low toxicity
and hazard rating.
|
Ethidium Bromide |
SYBR Safe |
Amount Used per Term |
<35 mg |
~375 µL |
Available quantity in
one unit |
10 mL of 10 mg/mL |
400 µL 10,000X in DMSO |
Number of Terms from 1
unit
|
~3 |
1 |
Cost per unit |
$29 |
$40 |
Cost per term |
$9.67 |
$40 |
Click here to view the case study on
ethidium bromide substitution using SYBR Safe.
Microreactors: Making Chemicals on the Microscale
Spring 2005 Award: Hemant Sahoo (Chemical Engineering Department,
Jensen Group)
Instead of one large reactor, imagine several small reactors in
parallel. This project focuses on micro-sizing reactions commonly
used by industry. In comparison to normal batch reactors, microreactors
are safer, provide better heat mass transfer, are less sensitive
to breakdowns, and easily transferable to larger scales by simply
scaling out. The synthesis and consumption of isocyanate on the
microscale is being studied using a microreactor all-in-one extractor.
Click here
to view images of the microscale reactor.
General Information
The Sustainable Chemistry Award is looking to reward what industry
leaders are already seeking out today: chemists and engineers that
are conscious of the implications of their research outside of the
laboratory. This award is part of the EPA's effort to promote sustainable
chemistry in academic settings and encompasses a wide range of activities.
If you are a member of the MIT research community and have a strategy
to:
- Avoid the use of a hazardous substance or solvent
- Minimize generation of hazardous waste
- Simplify a process to improve safety, yield, and/or purity
Consider applying for this award. Up to $1,000 is available towards
support in fulfilling these goals.
Contact: greenchem@mit.edu.
|
