Working with spore-forming fungi? Remember you need to Check In!
by Alonso Flores, on behalf of the iGEM Safety and Security Committee
Yeast spores are typically not considered a problem in most situations. They are usually harmless and can be found naturally in various environments, including soil, water, and even on the surfaces of plants and animals. In fact, Baker’s yeast (a.k.a. Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is widely used in baking, brewing, and other food production processes. However, yeast spores can become problematic under certain circumstances, such as when you are using S. cerevisiae or other spore-forming fungi for your iGEM project.
Baker’s yeast (a.k.a. Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is widely used in baking, brewing, and other food production processes. Photo by Karyna Panchenko on Unsplash
All teams who want to work with spore-forming fungi, including S. cerevisiae, must first complete a Check-In Form to get permission. Photo by Tim-Oliver Metz on Unsplash
At iGEM, we care deeply about safety and security, including the potential for accidental release of genetically modified organisms. If your team is working with S. cerevisiae or other spore-forming fungi, you need to be aware that spores can accidentally get out of the lab. To help mitigate this risk, all teams who want to work with spore-forming fungi must first complete a Check-In Form to get permission from iGEM’s Safety and Security Committee. That way, iGEM’s team of experts in biosafety and biosecurity can help you consider the risk of potentially producing spores with the experiments you are planning, and ensure you have appropriate measures in place to prevent spores from being accidentally released into the environment.
Did you know
that yeast and other fungi form spores in response to nutritional starvation? Spores are actually a dormant cell type that is resistant to many types of environmental stress. Learn more about spore formation in S. cerevisiae in this open access review.
The Check-in Form is required not only for teams working with spore-forming fungi, but for any team who wants to work with an organism, part, or activity that is not included on iGEM’s White List. In fact, the Check-In form is only one of three forms that your team may need to complete before beginning your project.
Another is the Animal Use Form that must be completed by teams wanting to work with animals or samples from animals, including vertebrates (such as rats or fish) as well as invertebrates (such as octopi or bees).
Finally, the Project Safety Form must be completed by all teams in order to qualify for medals and awards.
The iGEM Safety and Security Committee is here to help you. If you have questions or are unsure whether an organism, or part, or activity requires a Check-In Form, email safety [AT] igem [DOT] org to ask.
Thinking of using animals or animal samples for your project? Check out this companion piece on the iGEM Blog about getting permission: If you want to use animals in your iGEM project, start planning now
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash, Cover Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
