Researchers from two prestigious universities, Harvard and Yale, have devised a technique to ensure that GMOs can be safely contained.

The new technique basically inserts a built-in self-destruct mechanism into bacteria. The cells bear an alternative genetic code that makes them dependent on an artificial nutrient not found in nature.

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Scientists redesigned the bacterium (now called a genetically recoded organism, or GRO) so it requires the presence of a synthetic amino acid, which is a building block of protein, to live. In the wild where this man-made amino acid doesn't exist, the GRO will starve and be unable to spread its modified genetic material.

"This is a significant improvement over existing biocontainment approaches for genetically modified organisms. This work establishes important safeguards for organisms in agricultural settings, and more broadly, for their use in environmental bioremediation and even in medical therapies." said Farren Isaacs, assistant professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at Yale, and lead author of the study.

Their organism also has multi-virus resistance, making it more advantageous. This resistance is achieved by manipulating the bacteria's genetic code so any incoming virus will be confused.

Scientists changed one of the E. coli's 64 codons, jumbling up the virus's protein-making map, so it wouldn't block at the usual places.

The new approach can be of help to the biotech industry. It provides a "powerful mixture" of containment and protection from a host of viruses. The multi-virus resistance is especially beneficial in industries like biopharmaceuticals and dairy products where contamination from outside viruses can shut down factories.

The new research is an essential first step towards better safeguards for genetically modified organisms, according to other researchers and science groups.

Karmella Haynes, an assistant professor in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering at Arizona State University, said that what impressed her was that it was the very low rate of "escapers" compared with other techniques that have been tried.

TagsHarvard, Yale. GMO, genetically recoded organism, synthetic amino acid, E. coli, biotech industry