Safety

Researcher Safety

Our project involves manipulating the CRISPR pathway as a gene regulation tool. The CRISPR system is naturally present in many prokaryotes and nearly all archea. Introducing a CRISPR locus into a non-CRISPR organism has the potential to increase its resistance to phages. This is unlikely to have a significant effect on pathogenicity, especially in experiments in which the genes involved in incorporation of new spacers (CAS1 and CAS2) are removed. All strains used in the lab (E. coli as well as B. halodurans) are common lab strains. Appropriate biosafety level 2 precautions are taken.

There is no expected public safety risk from this project. Bacteria with ASU iGEM's manipulated CRISPR-Cas system will only target genes that have been specifically engineered to be targeted, none of which will be detrimental if released.

Our submitted Biobrick parts will not pose any risk to the public or to the environment.

Environmental Health and Safety Services at ASU is aware of our project and has not expressed safety concerns to date. Our proposal will be reviewed in detail to ensure that every aspect complies with university and state safety regulations.