Researchers at the Marine Biological Institute (MIB) have developed a new biocontainment system to minimize the risk of genetically engineered microorganisms escaping into the natural environment. This system is designed to be used in conjunction with existing methods, such as auxotrophy and “suicide” genes, to ensure that modified organisms do not survive if they escape from a laboratory setting. The new method, described by Professor Patrick Cai, creates a highly effective barrier against the emergence of escape events, with an escape frequency of less than 2×10-10, which far exceeds the NIH guideline of an escape rate of less than 10-8. The MIB researchers believe that this technology will play a crucial role in the responsible innovation of engineering biology, a rapidly expanding field of science that allows industry to produce value-added chemicals cheaply and efficiently using microorganisms. The new biocontainment method will help to safeguard the bio-economy and protect both researchers and the wider community from the risks associated with emerging technologies.
Secure housing for genetically modified organisms
