Team:LMU-Munich/Laboratory Safety

From 2012.igem.org

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We did not work on that, but there also is the possibility to remove antibiotic resitance genes from the ''Bacillus subtilis'' genome (for example with [https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/6/6d/LMU-Munich_2012_Clean_deletions_in_Bacillus_subtilis.pdf pMAD], a vector that we used to delete genes in ''B. subtilis''). All our construct are used while being integrated into the genome. Therefore all resistances could be removed (without removing the functional constructs) before the use of the Sporobeads. Thereby any pathogens would not have the possibility to grab resistance genes from our strains.
We did not work on that, but there also is the possibility to remove antibiotic resitance genes from the ''Bacillus subtilis'' genome (for example with [https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2012/6/6d/LMU-Munich_2012_Clean_deletions_in_Bacillus_subtilis.pdf pMAD], a vector that we used to delete genes in ''B. subtilis''). All our construct are used while being integrated into the genome. Therefore all resistances could be removed (without removing the functional constructs) before the use of the Sporobeads. Thereby any pathogens would not have the possibility to grab resistance genes from our strains.
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From the best of our knowledge the parts, strains or spores we use do not raise any safety concerns. However a point that needs to be discussed here is the potential risk of misusing our spores. We offer an easy platform for displaying any protein of interest. Could this platform used by e.g. a bio-terrorist? Since all information on how to build a spore with a protein of interest is given on this website one could imagine to use '''Sporo''beads as a vehicle for lethal proteins. Our team is aware of this potential risk, but we don't believe this would be a very efficient approach for a bio-terrorist. Today it still seems "easier" to use directly know pathogens like e.g. ''Bacillus anthracis''.
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From the best of our knowledge the parts, strains or spores we use do not raise any safety concerns. However a point that needs to be discussed here is the '''potential risk of misusing our spores'''. We offer an easy platform for displaying any protein of interest. Could this platform used by e.g. a bio-terrorist? Since all information on how to build a spore with a protein of interest is given on this website one could imagine to use '''Sporo''beads as a vehicle for lethal proteins. Our team is aware of this potential risk, but we don't believe this would be a very efficient approach for a bio-terrorist. Today it still seems "easier" to use directly know pathogens like e.g. ''Bacillus anthracis''.

Revision as of 12:57, 5 September 2012

iGEM Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Beadzillus

Team-LMU agar plates.resized.jpg

The LMU-Munich team is exuberantly happy about the great success at the World Championship Jamboree in Boston. Our project Beadzillus finished 4th and won the prize for the "Best Wiki" (with Slovenia) and "Best New Application Project".

IGEM HQ LMU prize.jpg

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