Biosafety Considerations for Plant Research

Containment/Handling Practices for Regulated Experiments with Plants and Plant-Associated Organisms:

Care must be taken to

 

• avoid the unintentional transfer of plant genes, recombinant or otherwise, to other plants
• minimize unanticipated, harmful effects to organisms or the environment outside the experimental site/facility
• avoid the inadvertent spread of pathogens or noxious weeds to crops or native vegetation
• prevent the introduction of unwanted exotic organisms into a new habitat

 

Containment can come from physical or biological means. Examples of physical containment are the use of plant growth chambers or greenhouses, or catch trays under plants to prevent soil contamination. Examples of biological containment include the removal or inactivation of plant reproductive structures (pollen and seed), timing of experiments so that plant-associated microorganism(s) under study are not viable in the outside environment, and the exclusion of vectors or fomites that spread plant pathogens.

 

Since plant research usually (but not always) does not pose a human health hazard, biosafety principles are designed instead to protect the natural and agricultural environment. Four biosafety level designations and associated safety practices for plant research exist: BL1-P, BL2-P, BL3-P, and BL4-P.  No BL4-P experiments are permitted at the University of Florida.

 

A risk assessment that factors in the
 

·        specific organism(s) under study

·        geographic, ecological, and agricultural environment surrounding the study site

·        physical/mechanical barriers available

·        and scientifically accepted culture techniques
 

should be conducted to determine what level of containment/handling practices are required. All genetically-altered plants and plant-related organisms that will be grown or released outside need prior federal approval (see regulations section below).

 

Although it emphasizes containment principles for transgenic plants and associated organisms, the website from the University of Wisconsin http://www2.fpm.wisc.edu/biosafety/Base/PlantContainment.htm is an excellent reference on plant containment, as is the book “A Practical Guide to Containment, Greenhouse Research with Transgenic Plants and Microbes”, available on line at http://www.isb.vt.edu.

 

Plant-Related Recombinant DNA Research: Research with genetically engineered plants, genetically engineered plant-associated microbes, and genetically engineered plant-associated macroorganisms (arthropods and nematodes) is covered by the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules, section P http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/rac/guidelines_02/Appendix_P.htm.   These guidelines are in place to prevent the accidental transmission of a recombinant DNA-containing plant genome (either nuclear or organelle genetic material) or the release of recombinant DNA-derived organisms associated with plants into the environment.   All recombinant DNA research, including that with plants and plant-related organisms must be registered with our Biosafety Office. Registration forms can be found at http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/Bio/default.asp.   State and Federal Regulations: Plant research involving noxious weeds, invasive plants, and certain plant pests, plant-associated microbes, and plant diseases (such as citrus canker) are regulated by the Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, especially when the import, export, or transfer of these or materials is required. Contact the Division of Plant Industry at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/rules.html for rules and regulations.

 The USDA-APHIS also regulates plant pests, plants and plant products, and the movement, importation, and field release of genetically-engineered plants and arthropods. See the detailed APHIS website http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/index.html for information, applications, permits, and notification documents.

In addition to the USDA-APHIS, the EPA and FDA also regulate research with transgenic plants and plant-associated organisms, particularly as the research evolves to a larger scale or to commercial applications. The following websites provide an overview of the regulatory process and related links:
 

Regulatory overview:

 

1.                   http://www.colostate.edu/programs/lifesciences/TransgenicCrops/evaluation.html
 

2.                   http://www.riskassess.org/level_2.cfm?level_1_id=121&level_2_id=225&linked_level_1_id=121&linked_level_2_id=225&leveler=2
 

3.                   http://64.26.172.90/unl2/cstudies.php?book=REG&ev=CAN-USA&chapter=USA
 

4.                   http://www.isb.vt.edu

 

As an example, a list of recently field-tested plants developed at the University of Florida can be found by going to http://www.isb.vt.edu/cfdocs/fieldtests1.cfm selecting UF from the “institutions” list.

 

Image from Plant Health Progress article

Research with Restricted Pathogens:   Some plant pathogens are considered Select Agents (http://www.cdc.gov/od/sap/docs/salist.pdf). Currently, the following are listed:     Liberobacter afficanus     Liberobacter asiaticus     Peronosclerospora philippinensis     Phakopsora pachyrhizi     Plum Pox Potyvirus     Ralstonia solanacearum race 3, biovar 2     Schlerophthora rayssiae var zeae     Synchytrium endobioticum     Xanthomonas oryzae     Xylelia fastidiosa (citrus variegated chlorosis strain)   Possession, use, or transfer of these pathogens is highly regulated. Please contact the biosafety office at http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/Bio/default.asp for registration information.

 For More Information:

Contact our office at 352-392-1591 or bso@ehs.ufl.edu

 

Other Useful Websites:

http://agbiotech.ifas.ufl.edu/links.html#recommended

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/biotechm.html

http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpbiotech.htm

http://www.colostate.edu/programs/lifesciences/TransgenicCrops/risks.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/arthropod/