Working with Transgenic Plants

There are policies and procedures in place to safeguard against the accidental release of recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid containing plants, plant-associated microorganisms, and plant-associated animals to the environment outside of the laboratory or greenhouse facilities. These are required by federal, state, and local regulatory policies. Please see the following materials for specific guidelines:

Transgenic Plant Safety Training Handout (PDF)

MSU Biosafety Transgenic Plant Containment Manual

Transgenic Plant Safety Training Handout (Text)

Montana State University – Plant Growth Center (PGC)

1. Topics Covered

  • Regulations
  • Individual Responsibilities
  • Risk Assessment
  • Controlled Access
  • Shared Space with Non-Transgenic Plants
  • Records
  • Signs
  • Decontamination and Inactivation
  • Transporting
  • Housekeeping
  • Biological Containment Techniques

2. Regulations and Permitting Agencies

2.1 Regulations

2.2 Permitting Agencies

  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) / Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS)
    • Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) – Non-transgenic materials
    • Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) – Transgenic materials

3. Permitting Process

Steps in the permitting process:

  1. eFile
  2. Pre-Inspection
  3. Permit
  4. IBC
  5. Inspection
  6. Renewal

Resources:

4. Standard Conditions of Most Permits

  • Authorized Activities
  • Duration and Authorized Locations
  • The Responsible Person and Designated Agents
  • Responsibilities After Permit Expiration
  • Proposed Changes to an Issued Valid Permit
  • Record Maintenance
  • Containment in Transit
  • Containment and Storage at Destinations
  • Devitalization and Disposition
  • Reporting a Possible or Actual Unauthorized Release

5. Risk Assessment of Transgenic Plants

Key questions to address during risk assessment:

  • Source and nature of introduced genetic material:

    • Is it from an exotic infectious agent or pathogenic organism?
    • Is it a fragment of DNA or a complete genome?

  • Bioactive protein expression:

    • Are bioactive proteins expressed?
    • What is the nature of the expressed proteins?

  • Local environment profile:

    • Are local crops potentially affected?
    • Are sexually compatible wild or weed species capable of spreading the genetic modification?

  • Experimental procedures and containment impact:

    • Will it be necessary to transport materials to/from the PGC?
    • Will arthropods or other potential vectors be used during the course of the project?

6. Controlled Access (Physical)

  • Labs, bays, and growth chambers containing transgenic plants must be locked at all times.
  • Access authorization must only be given to individuals that are approved.

7. Records

  • Records must be kept of all transgenic plants and materials that are brought into or removed from the Plant Growth Center.
  • Records must be kept of all ongoing experiments involving transgenic plants.

8. Signs

8.1 Bay Door and/or Growth Chamber Sign

Required information:

  • Responsible Individual
  • Plant(s) in use
  • Special Requirements
  • IBC Protocol Number

8.2 APHIS Permitted Material Sign

Required information:

  • Containment Director
  • Phone number

9. Decontamination and Inactivation

  • Transgenic plants, seeds, and any other plant materials must be rendered inactive by sterilization via autoclave before disposal.
  • Decontamination of transgenic plant soil will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the PGC Manager and the Institutional Biosafety Committee.
  • Decontamination of water is not necessary, but an appropriately sized filter must be installed to ensure transgenic plant material does not exit the PGC.

10. Transporting Transgenic Plants and Materials

  • Transgenic plants, seeds, soil, or other plant materials must be transported in a leak-proof, shatterproof container on a cart.
  • The outside of the container must be sanitized prior to transport to ensure transgenic pollen and seed are removed.

Examples requiring compliance with this policy:

  • Transport between bays
  • Transport to and from laboratories
  • Transport to the autoclave

11. Housekeeping

  • Keep bay(s) clean and uncluttered
  • Do not eat or drink in bay(s)
  • Observe all special containment measures (e.g., footbaths, sticky mats) when present
  • Wash hands before leaving the greenhouse facility
  • Wear disposable fluid-resistant gloves when handling transgenic plant material
  • Wear facility-dedicated or disposable lab coats/smocks when handling transgenic plant material
  • Thoroughly inspect street clothes and shoes for transgenic material (especially seed and/or pollen) prior to leaving the greenhouse bay

12. Biological Containment Techniques

  • Removing flower heads or bagging plants prior to flowering
  • Harvesting material before the reproductive stage
  • Using male sterile lines
  • Localizing engineered genes in the non-reproductive parts of the plant by expressing the transgene transiently rather than in stably transformed plants
  • Conducting the experiment when pollination will not occur outside (e.g., winter months)

13. Contact

Biosafety Officer: Amy Robison

  • Email: amanda.robison@montana.edu
  • Work Phone: x6733
  • Cell Phone: (406) 451-3511