Safety
Safety in the lab is one of our highest priorities when working with synthetic biology. Biosafety concerns arise when working with modified or pathogenic organisms and those that contain antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Our team members have been trained in laboratory safety guidelines and worked in close collaboration with experienced supervisors to ensure that there is no harm to the staff. The guidelines also ensure proper waste management to prevent the release of microorganisms into the environment. This is particularly important when working with antibiotics to prevent the spread of resistance. Before our team was allowed to work in the lab, we received a guided tour of the department, including all its safety equipment in case of an accident, and submitted a safety declaration to the lab.
Security
Security is an important aspect of synthetic biology, as the technology can be misused for harmful purposes. Our team is aware of these potential risks and takes measures to prevent misuse of the technology. This includes working in a secure laboratory environment, following strict protocols for handling and disposing of biological materials, and ensuring that all team members are trained in security procedures. The team also works closely with supervisors to ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with ethical guidelines and regulations.
Chemical Safety
During work in the lab, all participants wore personal protective equipment (PPE), such as lab coats, eye protection, and gloves of appropriate thickness, as well as long pants and closed-toed shoes. The handling of chemicals followed standard safety protocols, including proper labeling, storage, and disposal.
Biological Safety
The lab we had access to was of Bio-Safety Level 1. It was therefore important that the organisms we worked with did not exceed risk group 1. Our experiment investigates a potential treatment against the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. This organism is categorized in risk group 2, raising concerns about accidental spread of fungal infection1. To address this issue, we instead worked with the non-pathogenic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, modifying it to represent the pathogenic form of C. albicans in our experiment, but without its pathogenic properties2. Other microorganisms included in the experiment are bacteria, namely Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. All these organisms are categorized in risk group 1 and therefore pose minimal potential hazard to human health and the environment2. Our bacteria are genetically engineered to contain a selection marker, posing biosafety risks such as leakage into the environment and the 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 performing work in LAF benches when needed to prevent contamination. Aseptic techniques, such as wiping with ethanol, were performed to ensure that the surface of our LAF bench was sterile before and after usage. Biohazardous waste was placed in clearly labelled (autoclave-safe) biohazard containers to prevent leakage of microorganisms and unintended release.
Security Risks / Potential Misuse
Potential risks of using this technology include the unintended release of microorganisms into the environment, which could spread AMR or cause bacterial binding to non-target fungi, thereby affecting the ecosystem.
References
- Nobile, C. J., & Johnson, A. D. (2015). Candida albicans biofilms and human disease. Annual Review of Microbiology, 69(1), 71-92.
- University of Houston, Biosafety Assessment Criteria. Retrieved 5 October 2025.