SAFETY PROJECT DESIGN
Parts Safety
Our project adheres strictly to safety guidelines, ensuring all our genetic components are covered by the approved White List.
We have ensured that the chassis that we are considering are all on the White List of iGEM (BL-1 organisms). We have also received and will receive more guidance from Ediner Fuentes, one of our stakeholders, who is an expert in synthetic biology policies (risk assessment, policymaking, legislation, and regulation of biological products). This will ensure that all the parts of our project and experiment are ethical and safe. We have access to both a biosafety level 1 (at our school) and biosafety level 2 (INDICASAT) lab and the University of Panama, which ensures that all of our experiments are conducted in appropriate laboratory environments.
The risks associated with the parts used in our experiment are minimal, with the primary concern being accidental environmental release. To mitigate this, we are committed to proper disposal procedures and rigorous safety measures to ensure such an event does not occur.
Labwork Safety
Safety concerns in this project are mainly regarding the bacteria we are modifying. The genetic modifications we are undertaking are not dangerous in any way. This is why we have worked in the following labs: High School Science Biology Lab BSL 1, University of Panama Molecular Biology Lab BSL 2, INDICASAT-AIP Molecular Biology Lab BSL 2.
Safety training was received by the team before starting any experiments since we held capacitation led by a group of professional scientists for all our lab members. Moreover, while conducting any experiment a certified scientist was always available in the lab for assistance and guidance. Before starting the experiments, we made sure all protocols were followed to the greatest degree and we were constantly checking up on them. We ensured all laboratory activities complied with biosafety regulations by using a biosafety cabinet and chemical fume hood when needed.
We have been receiving guidance from Ediner Fuentes, M.Sc., who is involved in biopolicy in the iGEM community and is a consultant for the development of local and global synthetic biology policies and related governance in Panama (evaluation of the policy, legislation, and regulation of biological products), he was assisting us with regulatory strategies and risk assessment for our bioentrepreneurship.
Moreover, we are working under The Republic of Panama ratified the Cartagena Protocol with Law No. 72 of December 26, 1991, and, later, with Law No. 48 of August 2002. This last law establishes the National Biosafety Commission for GMOs, defines the institutional competencies, and establishes the creation of sectoral committees in the agricultural, environmental, and public health sectors. In addition, it establishes a framework for the development of specific regulations at the sectoral level.
We have chosen to not test our project to see if our modified bacteria is capable of detecting selected mycotoxins considering the danger it poses to humans. We will instead use another metabolite (fusaric acid) from Fusarium oxysporum to detect one of its virulence factors with the help of Dr. Gesabel Navarro Velasco, one of our stakeholders experts in this plant pathogen, a researcher, and professor from the University of Panama.
Environmental Safety
During our experiments, strict procedures were followed to handle genetically modified organisms. For example, we utilized biohazard containers for all GMOs and pathogenic waste that was disposed of, and an autoclaving and waste management system for all tools after use. Through these safety practices, we ensured the utmost safety for the team, environment, and the public throughout our experiments.
Moreover, since our project is meant to be implemented outside the lab in the environments we have been working with a fellow scientist, Ediner Fuentes, to prevent any harm to the environment, including wild plants and animals. Nevertheless, for this competition, we will only carry out experiments in the lab. If we were to expand our project, we would meticulously carry out field trials where we would place the yeast in a banana plantation.