Current advances of biocontainment strategy in synthetic biology

Synthetic biotechnology has led to the widespread application of genetically modified organisms(GMOs)in biochemistry, bioenergy, and therapy. However, the uncontrolled spread of GMOs may lead to genetic contamination by horizontal gene transfer, resulting in unpredictable biosafety risks. To deal with these challenges, many effective methods have been developed for biocontainment. In this article, we summarize and discuss recent advances in biocontainment strategies from three aspects: DNA replication, transcriptional regulation, and protein translation. We also briefly introduce the efforts in the biocontainment convention, such as the recent publication of the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for the Code of Conduct for Scientists.

Safety considerations for working with animal models involving human health hazards

A human health hazard may constitute a variety of hazards that are encountered in an animal facility. Health hazards include physical, chemical, radioactive, or biological hazards such as cage and rack washers, chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection,experimental drugs or biologics, radioactive isotopes, zoonotic diseases, allergens,experimental infectious agents, or biological toxins. This article will focus on experimental infectious agents and biological toxins(biohazards) that are hazardous to both animals and humans and require biological containment(biocontainment) to prevent their inadvertent release into the environment. Key areas for safely managing a biocontainment animal care and use program and vivarium are described.While scientific research involving health hazards has created some challenges, it has also provided some excellent advances in methods and technologies. The ideas and approaches in this article will be useful for those just entering this field of research and those who have committed their careers to the safe use of animals exposed to biohazards.

Quality management in a high-containment laboratory

The National Biosafety Laboratory level 4 in Wuhan was accredited according to the Guo Biao(National standard)19489:2008 standard in 2017 by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment and was then licensed to store and handle microorganisms of risk group 4.The current aim of laboratory management is to accredit this high-containment laboratory according to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard to set up a quality management system.To complement this standard,the ComitéEuropéen de Normalisation(CEN,i.e.,European Committee for Standardization)Working Agreement 15793:2011 is also used for safety and security against biorisks.The Chinese Guo Biao 19489:2008 standard is also taken into account to achieve two aims:to comply with Chinese legislation and to improve the level of detail in the laboratory’s documentation.Furthermore,the management proposes to apply Good Research Laboratory Practices(published by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment),in which ethical rules are laid down.Only a well-integrated and well-managed quality management system can master the implementation of all these different guidelines.Nonetheless,it would be better if all the requirements were combined into one standard.Therefore,there is a real need for drafting a new standard or guideline specifically for containment laboratories.