concept

biocontainment

Also known as: biocontainment standards

Facts (11)

Sources

Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions - Nature nature.com Nature Apr 14, 2025 11 facts

measurementA layered biocontainment strategy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has achieved escape rates ranging from 10^-6 to 10^-11.

referenceThe Biocontainment Finder (https://standardsinsynbio.eu/biocontainment-finder/) is a resource that catalogues various biocontainment strategies and their effectiveness.

referenceBiocontainment strategies for microorganisms are categorized into three main routes: DNA replication level, transcriptional level, and translation level.

claimWang and Zhang recommend the use of genomic barcodes or watermarks as complementary strategies to biocontainment for tracking engineered biological assets.

perspectiveArnolds et al. argued that existing laboratory demonstrators of biocontainment may be inadequate for realistic industrial-scale bioproduction or environmental release.

claimThe growing complexity of biotechnology makes the creation of universal biocontainment standards difficult, requiring scalable solutions across laboratory, pilot, and industrial scales.

referenceCai et al. created an intrinsic biocontainment method using multiplex genome safeguards that combine transcriptional and recombinational control of essential yeast genes, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2015.

referenceMandell, D. J. et al. demonstrated the biocontainment of genetically modified organisms through the use of synthetic protein design.

perspectiveThe authors propose a dynamic, adaptable approach to biosafety and biosecurity for environmental biotechnology that includes screening for sequences of concern, biocontainment, and traceability via genomic barcoding and cryptographic schemes.

referenceHirota et al. developed a biocontainment strategy that makes bacterial growth and survival dependent on phosphite, as published in Scientific Reports in 2017.

referenceArnolds et al. discussed biotechnology designs for secure biocontainment in an emerging bioeconomy in a 2021 article in Current Opinion in Biotechnology.