Our biodetection system is composed of a sea sponge and of a genetically modified bacteria strain that lives inside this sponge.
In order to safely contain the bacteria out of the environment, we could put them in a hermetic aquarium, with a filtration system that doesn't let any bacteria leave the aquarium. We would then need to put samples of the water we want to test in the aquarium.
But we also thought of other ways to use our sponge-bacteria system, such as releasing them in the oceans in regions that are likely to contain important concentrations of pollutants. The release of Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms (GMMO) in the environment is very controversial though, as it raises several safety issues. As of yet, there has been no legal release of GMMO in the oceans. But then we thought of a new possible way to contain the GMMO: what if we designed a symbiotic strain of Pseufovibrio denitrificans, such that it would not be able to live outside its host? Would symbiosis be a safe containment system?

In order to better understand the legal and safety issues related to the release of GMMO in sea water, and to define whether symbiosis could be an efficient containment system of GMMO, we digged into the litterature and discussed those points together.

• What are the risks involved in the release of GMMO in the oceans?

• Can symbiosis be an efficient containment system?