ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY DECISION Amended under s67A on 16 August 2007 3 May 2005 GMD05039 To develop in containment genetically modified organisms under section 40(1)(b) of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996. Victoria University of Wellington Applicant To develop in containment genetically modified bacteria to Purpose study the mechanisms of growth, adaptation and survival in mycobacteria 20 18 April 2005 Date received Consideration date 22 3 May 2005 Chief Executive, ERMA New Zealand Considered by Application code Application type 1 Summary of decision 1.1 The application to develop a new organism in containment is approved, with controls, having been considered in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996, the HSNO (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003 (the Regulations), and the HSNO (Methodology) Order 1998. 1.2 The organisms approved for development are the genetically modified microorganisms listed below in Table 1. Table 1: Organisms as recorded on the ERMA New Zealand Register Host Organism Category of Host 2 1) Mycobaterium marinum laboratory Strains (Aronson 1926) As modified by Site directed mutagenesis of genes in the following protein families: Sensory proteins Gene expression regulators Nucleotide cyclases, phosphodiesterases and cyclic nucleotide binding proteins Sigma factors DNA replication and modification proteins Transcription and translation proteins Category of PC modification level B 2 2) Mycobaterium marinum laboratory Strains (Aronson 1926) 2 3) Mycobacterium smegmatis laboratory strains (Trevisan 1889) (Lehmann & Neumann 1899) 1 Cell division proteins Chaperones and stress-related proteins Protein and peptide secretory proteins Surface proteins, adhesins and antigens Cell envelope synthesis proteins Small molecule and macromolecule metabolism proteins Standard non-conjugative plasmid vectors containing DNA derived from the genus Mycobacterium (Lehmann and Neumann 1896). DNA fragments shall encode regulatory elements, non-coding regions and open reading frames of known or predicted function from the following protein families: Sensory proteins Gene expression regulators Nucleotide cyclases, phosphodiesterases and cyclic nucleotide binding proteins Sigma factors DNA replication and modification proteins Transcription and translation proteins Cell division proteins Chaperones and stress-related proteins Protein and peptide secretory proteins Surface proteins, adhesins and antigens Cell envelope synthesis proteins Small molecule and macromolecule metabolism proteins Site directed mutagenesis of genes in the following protein families: Sensory proteins Gene expression regulators Nucleotide cyclases, phosphodiesterases and cyclic nucleotide binding proteins Sigma factors DNA replication and modification proteins Transcription and translation proteins Cell division proteins Chaperones and stress-related proteins Protein and peptide secretory proteins Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 B 2 A 1 Page 2 of 12 4) Mycobacterium smegmatis laboratory strains (Trevisan 1889) (Lehmann & Neumann 1899) 1 5) Escherichia coli K12 or B derivatives (Migula 1895) (Castellani and Chambers 1919) 1 Surface proteins, adhesins and antigens Cell envelope synthesis proteins Small molecule and macromolecule metabolism proteins Standard non-conjugative plasmid vectors containing DNA fragments derived from the genus Mycobacterium (Lehmann and Neumann 1896). DNA fragments shall encode regulatory elements, non-coding regions and open reading frames of known or predicted function from the following protein families: Sensory proteins Gene expression regulators Nucleotide cyclases, phosphodiesterases and cyclic nucleotide binding proteins Sigma factors DNA replication and modification proteins Transcription and translation proteins Cell division proteins Chaperones and stress-related proteins Protein and peptide secretory proteins Surface proteins, adhesins and antigens Cell envelope synthesis proteins Small molecule and macromolecule metabolism proteins Standard non-conjugative plasmid vectors containing DNA fragments derived from the genus Mycobacterium (Lehmann and Neumann 1896). DNA fragments shall encode regulatory elements, non-coding regions and open reading frames of known or predicted function from the following protein families: Sensory proteins Gene expression regulators Nucleotide cyclases, phosphodiesterases and cyclic nucleotide binding proteins Sigma factors DNA replication and modification proteins Transcription and translation proteins Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 A 1 A 1 Page 3 of 12 Cell division proteins Chaperones and stress-related proteins Protein and peptide secretory proteins Surface proteins, adhesins and antigens Cell envelope synthesis proteins Small molecule and macromolecule metabolism proteins The applicant has specified the following vector systems to be used: 1. Standard non-conjugative plasmid cloning and expression vectors for transformation of Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Escherichia coli. These vectors will include some or all of the classes of gene regulatory elements listed below: 1. Promoters; 2. Enhancers; 3. Transcription termination signals; 4. Operator sequences; 5. Polyadenylation signals; 6. Untranslated regions such as introns/spacers and insulators; 7. Multiple cloning sites; 8. Protein purification tags; 9. Origins of replication; 10. Secretory, targeting and localization signals; 11. Regulatory sequences for induced expression; 12. Other commercially available regulatory elements. These vectors may contain standard and generally available regulatory elements sourced from invertebrates, vertebrates, bacteria, viruses or bacteriophages including the selectable markers Hygromycin resistance, Kanamycin resistance and Ampicillin resistance. The genetic material shall not include: Genes encoding any known or predicted toxins and pathogenicity islands from pathogenic mycobacteria. 1.3 Category of low-risk genetic modification: The genetic modification is a low-risk genetic modification as defined in clause 5 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. Mycobacterium smegmatis and Escherichia coli are category 1 host organisms as defined in clause 7(1) of the HSNO (LowRisk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. The transformation of both microorganisms, as described in Table 1, constitutes a category A genetic modification as defined in clause 5 of those Regulations and therefore, will be carried out under a minimum of PC1 containment. Mycobacterium marinum is a category 2 host organism as defined in clause 7(2) of the HSNO (Low-Risk Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 4 of 12 Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. The transformation of this microorganism, as described in Table 1, constitutes a category B genetic modification as defined in clause 5 of those Regulations and therefore, will be carried out under a minimum of PC2 containment. 2.0 Legislative Criteria for Application The application was lodged pursuant to section 40(1)(b) of the HSNO Act 1996 and determined according to the rapid assessment provisions of section 42A of the HSNO Act 1996. The application has been approved by Dr Bas Walker, Chief Executive of ERMA New Zealand, under delegation from the Authority, as provided for in section 19 HSNO Act 1996. In reaching this decision I have considered matters relevant to the purpose of the HSNO Act 1996, as specified in Part II, and followed the relevant provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Methodology) Order 1998. 3.0 Consideration 3.1 Sequence of the consideration The application was formally received and verified as containing sufficient information on 18 April 2005. The decision is based on the information supplied by the applicant in the application including copies of scientific literature referenced in the application and comments on the application received from the Department of Conservation (DoC). In reaching this decision I have used information that is relevant and appropriate to the scale and significance of the risks, costs, and benefits associated with the genetic modification. In accordance with section 42A of the Act (rapid assessment), the approach adopted was to identify the circumstances of the genetic modification, to evaluate these against the criteria specified in section 41, and to consider whether there are any residual risks that require further consideration. This approach covered the following issues: Purpose of the application (section 39) Assessment against the criteria for low-risk genetic modifications (section 42A) Identification and assessment of the risks and other impacts of the organism Māori issues and concerns (sections 6(d) and 8) Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 5 of 12 Precedents Proposed controls In accordance with section 53(2)(b) this application was not publicly notified. The Department of Conservation (DoC) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand were notified upon receipt of this application. DoC submitted comments on the application addressing the issues of containment and potential risks to indigenous flora and fauna. These were summed up in the following statement: In general, the research proposed in this application does not pose an increased risk to indigenous flora and fauna. However, some uncertainty remains regarding the potential for negative impacts from M. marinum on indigenous fauna including species of fish and amphibia. Consequently, we believe that particular care should be taken to ensure this species of bacteria is not released. We consider that the proposed containment is sufficient to mitigate the risks of release and therefore the Department would not oppose the approval of this application. Additionally, DoC noted that additional import approvals would be required for any of the Mycobacterium sp. (from which DNA may be sourced for use in the modifications) that either are not already present in New Zealand or are not covered by existing import approvals. DoC also noted that exotic strains of Mycobacteria have been declared as unwanted organisms under the Biosecurity Act 1998 by MAF. Therefore, the applicant will need to contact the Chief Technical Officer of MAF if they are intending to communicate or propagate exotic strains of Mycobacteria species, other than those species approved for import into containment by the Authority1. 3.2 Purpose of the application The purpose of this project is to determine how mycobacteria control growth and are able to adapt to their environment and persist indefinitely. Laboratory models based on the low pathogenic species Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium marinum will be used for this purpose. The function of regulatory and effector proteins will be determined on the basis of their expression, biochemical properties and also their importance to the life cycle of M. smegmatis and M. marinum. To achieve this, the applicant will develop M. smegmatis and M. marinum organisms that are specifically mutated in single genes encoding proteins belonging to protein families involved in sensory functions; gene expression regulators; nucleotide cyclases, phosphodiesterases and cyclic nucleotide binding proteins; sigma factors; DNA replication and modification proteins; transcription and translation proteins; cell division proteins; chaperones and stress-related proteins; protein and peptide secretory proteins; surface proteins, adhesins and antigens; cell envelope synthesis proteins; and small molecule and macromolecule metabolism proteins. 1 Sections 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1998 Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 6 of 12 In addition, M. smegmatis and M. marinum will be modified to express DNA fragments encoding regulatory elements, non- coding regions and open reading frames of known or predicted function from the same mycobacterial protein families described above. The DNA fragments will be sourced from Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. marinum, M. smegmatis and other species within the genus Mycobacterium (Lehmann and Neumann 1896). The genetic material shall not include genes encoding any known or predicted toxins and pathogenicity islands from pathogenic mycobacteria. I have determined that this application may be approved for the purpose of the development of a genetically modified organism as provided for in section 39(1)(a) of the HSNO Act 1996. 3.3 Assessment against the criteria for low-risk genetic modifications Category of host organisms: Laboratory strains of Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Escherichia coli are not capable of causing disease in humans, animals, plants or fungi nor do they produce desiccation-resistant structures, such as spores or cysts. As such, M. smegmatis and E. coli are considered Category 1 host organisms under the HSNO (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. Mycobacterium marinum is capable of causing disease in humans but the risk posed to the health of laboratory workers is low and it is classified as a risk group 2 organism. Mycobacterium marinum is a category 2 host organism as defined in the HSNO (LowRisk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. Category of genetic modification: The modifications to Mycobacterium smegmatis and Escherichia coli as described in Table 1 are Category A modifications as defined in the HSNO (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. The modifications to Mycobacterium marinum as described in Table 1 are Category B modifications as defined in the HSNO (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. I am satisfied that the development meets the criteria for low-risk genetic modification specified in the Regulations, made under section 41 of the Act. The experiments meet the requirements of Category A and Category B modifications as defined in clause 5 of the Regulations in that the modification involves category 1 and category 2 host organisms and is to be carried out under a minimum of PC1 containment for developments involving Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium smegmatis and a minimum of PC2 containment for developments involving Mycobacterium marinum. The developments, described in Table 1, will not increase the pathogenicity, virulence, or infectivity of the host organism to laboratory personnel, the community or the environment. In addition, the developments will not result in organisms that have a greater ability to escape from containment than the unmodified organism. Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 7 of 12 3.4 Identification and assessment of the risks, costs, and other impacts of the organism I consider that the information provided by the applicant is relevant and appropriate to the scale and significance of the risks, costs, and benefits associated with the application (as required by clause 8 of the Methodology). In accordance with clauses 9 and 10 of the Methodology the information supplied by the applicant and by DoC has been evaluated as follows. I consider that, given the containment controls imposed by this approval, there are no significant non-negligible adverse effects of the proposed genetically modified Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium marinum and Escherichia coli on humans, animals, plants, other organisms or the environment. Escherichia coli K12 derivatives contain genetic modifications that make them dependent upon supplemental growth factors to survive. For this reason it is very unlikely that the organism could establish a self-sustaining population should it escape containment. I have also considered the potential Māori cultural effects in accordance with sections 6(d) and 8 of the HSNO Act and clauses 9(b)(i), 9(c)(iv) of the Methodology, in consultation with the Manager, Māori. As this application does not involve the use of genetic material from native or valued flora and fauna or humans, and as this application is for a development in containment, there is no requirement for the applicant to consult with Māori. Although I recognise that Māori maintain an ongoing interest and concern in the potential long term cultural implications of genetic modification, I consider that this application poses negligible risk of adverse effects to the relationship of Māori culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga. 3.5 Precedents I must consider each application on its merits, and am therefore not bound by the stance taken in previous decisions. However, in reflecting on previous decisions that involved similar issues to those raised by this application, I note that low-risk genetic developments of Mycobacterium smegmatis have been considered and approved subject to PC1 containment (most recently for application GMD04055). Whereas the modification in the current application is similar to that approved in GMD04055, a different host organism is to be used. Under the HSNO (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003 M. marinum is considered a Category 2 host and must therefore, be contained at PC2. Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 8 of 12 3.6 Proposed Controls The experiments proposed in this application, to develop a genetically modified Mycobacterium smegmatis and Escherichia coli, meet the requirements of Category A genetic modification as defined in clause 5 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. Category A experiments are required to be contained within a Physical Containment level 1 facility (PC1) registered under MAF/ERMA New Zealand Standard 154.03.02 ‘Containment Facilities for Microorganisms’. This containment regime contains clear guidelines for the safe handling and disposal of bacterial cultures. The experiments proposed in this application, to develop a genetically modified Mycobacterium marinum, meet the requirements of Category B genetic modification as defined in clause 5 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003. Category B experiments are required to be contained within a Physical Containment level 2 facility (PC2) registered under MAF/ERMA New Zealand Standard 154.03.02 ‘Containment Facilities for Microorganisms’. The facility in which the organisms will be maintained shall comply with the requirements of the Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2002 Safety in Laboratories: Part 3: Microbiological aspects of containment and facilities, except for the deviations specified in the MAF/ERMA New Zealand Standard 154.03.02. The laboratory proposed to be used by the Applicant is currently approved and registered as a containment facility under section 39 of the Biosecurity Act, in accordance with the MAF/ERMA New Zealand Standard 154.03.02. 4 Decision 4.1 I am satisfied that this application is for one of the purposes specified in section 39(1) of the HSNO Act, being section 39(1)(a): the development of any genetically modified organism. 4.2 Based on consideration and analysis of the information provided, and having considered the characteristics of the organisms and the modification and the criteria for low-risk genetic modification detailed in the HSNO (Low-Risk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003, I am of the view that the organisms meet the criteria for rapid assessment under section 42A(2) of the HSNO Act. 4.3 I am satisfied that the proposed containment regime together with the additional controls imposed in accordance with section 42A(3)(b) of the HSNO Act 1996 will adequately contain the organisms. In accordance with section 42(A)(3)(c) of the HSNO Act 1996 I have considered the provision of progress reports on this development to the Authority and do not consider that it is necessary for this approval. 4.4 Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 9 of 12 4.5 Pursuant to section 42A(3)(a) of the HSNO Act 1996, and acting under delegation from the Authority provided for in section 19, I have approved this application subject to the controls specified herein. 4.6 In reaching this decision I have relied upon the following criteria in the HSNO Act and the Methodology: 5 Criteria for assessing the purpose of the application (section39). Criteria for rapid assessment of adverse effects for the development of a genetically modified organism in containment (section 42A). Criteria for a low-risk genetic modification specified in the HSNO (LowRisk Genetic Modification) Regulations 2003, made under section 41 of the Act. The information provided by the applicant was assessed against the criteria in clauses 9, 10 and 12 of the HSNO (Methodology) Order 1998. Matters to be addressed by containment controls for development of genetically modified organisms specified in Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the HSNO Act. Notification under section 53(4) was given to DoC and MAF. Controls In order to provide for the matters detailed in Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the HSNO Act, Containment Controls for Importation, Development and Field Testing of Genetically Modified Organisms, the approved organisms are subject to the following controls:2 1 To limit the likelihood of any accidental release of any organism or any viable genetic material.3 1.1 The approved organisms shall be developed and maintained within a containment facility which complies with these controls. 1.2 The person responsible for a particular research area and/or the person responsible for the operation of the containment facility shall inform all personnel involved in the handling of the organisms of the Authority’s controls. 2 Bold headings in the following text refer to Matters to be Addressed by Containment Controls for Development and Field Testing of Genetically Modified Organisms, specified in the Third Schedule of the HSNO Act 1996. 3 Viable Genetic Material is biological material that can be resuscitated to grow into tissues or organisms. It can be defined to mean biological material capable of growth even though resuscitation procedures may be required, e.g. when organisms or parts thereof are sub lethally damaged by being frozen, dried, heated, or affected by chemical. Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 10 of 12 1.3 The construction and operation of the containment facility in which the organisms are maintained, shall be in accordance with the: a) MAF/ERMA New Zealand Standard 154.03.024: Containment Facilities for Micro-organisms, at laboratory Physical Containment Levels 1 (PC1) for experiments involving Mycobacterium smegmatis and Escherichia coli, and PC2 for experiments involving Mycobacterium marinum. b) Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:20024 Safety in Laboratories: Part 3: Microbiological aspects of containment and facilities, except for the deviations specified in the Standard referred to in (a). 1.4 2 2.1 3 3.1 4 The facility shall be approved and registered by MAF as a containment facility under section 39 of the Biosecurity Act, in accordance with the MAF/ERMA New Zealand Standard 154.03.024, and controls imposed by the Authority. To exclude unauthorised people from the facility. Construction and operation of the containment facility shall comply with the requirements of the standards listed in control 1.3 relating to the identification of entrances, numbers of and access to entrances and security requirements for the entrances and the facility. To exclude other organisms from the facility and to control undesirable and unwanted organisms within the facility. Construction and operation of the containment facility shall comply with the requirements of the standards listed in control 1.3 relating to the exclusion of other organisms from the facility and the control of undesirable and unwanted organisms within the facility. To prevent unintended release of the organism by experimenters working with the organism. 4.1 Construction and operation of the containment facility shall comply with the requirements of the standards listed in control 1.3 relating to the prevention of unintended release of the organism by experimenters working with the organism. 5 To control the effects of any accidental release or escape of an organism. 5.1 Construction and operation of the containment facility shall comply with the requirements of the standards listed in control 1.3 relating to controlling the effects of any accidental release or escape of an organism. 4 Any reference to this standard in these controls refers to any subsequent version approved or endorsed by ERMA New Zealand Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 11 of 12 5.2 If a breach of containment occurs, the facility operator must ensure that the MAF Inspector responsible for supervision of the facility has received notification of the breach within 24 hours. 5.3 In the event of any breach of containment of the organism, the contingency plan for the attempted retrieval or destruction of any viable material of the organisms that have escaped shall be implemented immediately. The contingency plan shall be included in the containment manual in accordance with the requirements of standards listed in control 1.3. 6 Inspection and monitoring requirements for containment facilities. 6.1 The operation of the containment facilities shall comply with the requirements contained in the standards listed in control 1.3 relating to the inspection and monitoring requirements for containment facilities. 6.2 The containment manual shall be updated, as necessary, to address the implementation of the controls imposed by this approval, in accordance with the standards listed in control 1.3. 7 Qualifications required of implementing those controls. 7.1 The training of personnel working in the facility shall be in compliance with the standards listed in control 1.3. the persons responsible for _____________________ _______________ Dr Bas Walker, 3 May 2005 Chief Executive ERMA New Zealand Approval codes: GMD003724, GMD003725, GMD003726 Amendment: November 2006 Changes to controls: Addition of footnotes to the containment facility references and the Australian/New Zealand containment facility references to “future proof” the decision Standardise the wording of the breach of containment control Removal of the control regarding inspection of facilities by the Authority, its agent or enforcement officers 16 August 2007 ____________________________ Date: Mr Rob Forlong Chief Executive, ERMA New Zealand Environmental Risk Management Authority Decision: GMD05039 Page 12 of 12