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Specific Hazards
Fungal Track ‘n Trace
The Track ‘n Trace project involves modifying the leucine metabolism of A. nidulans and using metabolic intermediates to regulate the expression of fluorescent proteins. We do not expect these modifications to increase the pathogenicity or fitness of the A. nidulans strain. Therefore, we do not anticipate any additional safety hazards going beyond those inherent to working with A. nidulans in a laboratory environment.
Synchronized Oscillatory System
This project involves the periodic oscillation of the extracellular concentration of the quorum sensing molecule AHL. Due to the important role quorum sensing molecules play in many bacterial infections, successful transfer of the oscillator BioBrick device to a pathogen could potentially affect the development of QS-related pathogenicity in humans.
Environmental impact
The way an organism arises in Synthetic Biology is significantly different compared to its reproduction ability or abilities. Therefore, when it enters into new surroundings its ability to thrive can be different from its wild type variant and the practitioners of Synthetic Biology should, at least partly, be responsible for what they produce. So, consideration has to be taken about possible mutations that could occur whilst it is in the environment.
A mutation in the synchronized oscillator, for example, could give the host organism an unexpected fitness advantage, and allow it to invade certain ecological niches. The Track ‘n Trace system would only have a plausible fitness advantage in environments with very particular requirements for the Leucine metabolism.
