Safety in the lab is one of our highest priorities when working in a lab with synthetic biology. Biosafety concerns are raised when working with modifed or pathogenic organisms and those that contain AMR genes. Our team members have been trained in safety guidelines in the lab and work in tight collaboration with experienced supervisors to ensure that there is no harm befalls the staff. The guidelines also ensure proper waste management to prevent release of microorganisms into the environment. This is particularly important when working with antibiotics to prevent spread of AMR. Before the team members were allowed to work in the lab, they received a guided tour of the department, including all its safety equipment in case of an accident.
Our experiment is investigating a possible way of treatment against the pathogenic fungi c. albicans. This organism is categorized in risk group 2 raising concerns about accidental spread of fungal infection [1]. To address this issue, we will instead work with a non-pathogenic yeast, s. cerevisiae, and modify it to represent the pathogenic form of c. albicans in our experiment, but without its pathogenic properties [2]. Other microorganisms included in the experiment are bacteria, namely e. coli and b. subtilis. All these organisms are categorised in risk group 1 and therefore, they pose minimal potential hazard to human health and environment [2] [3]. Our bacteria, are genetically engineered to contain a selection marker, posing biosafety risks like leakage into the environment, and spread of AMR through replication and horizontal gene transfer.
When working with microorganisms, especially since we used AMR-strains, we maintain standard safety protocols to minimize risk and ensure a sterile environment in the lab, by using autoclaved equipment and perform the work in LAF-benches when needed to prevent contamination. Aseptic techniques, like wiping with ethanol was performed to ensure that the surface of our LAF-bench was sterile before and after usage. Biohazardous waste were placed in clearly labelled (autoclave-safe?) biohazard containers, to prevent leakage of microorganisms and unintended release.
Potential risks of using this technology, is that unintended release into the environment would spread AMR, but could also initiate bacterial binding to non-target fungi and affect the ecosystem.