I want to develop a reliable genetic transformation system for Sporosarcina pasteurii—the remarkable bacterium known for its ability to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and form “biocement.” Although S. pasteurii is already used in some construction and environmental applications for soil stabilization, current methods rely on the organism’s natural urease-driven mineralization process without much fine-tuned control. By establishing tools for genetic manipulation (e.g., electroporation protocols, shuttle vectors, or CRISPR-based editing), I plan to introduce and test synthetic genetic circuits that modulate cementation rates, environmental sensing, or stress resilience. Achieving robust genetic control in S. pasteurii could pave the way for more versatile and efficient biocementation—such as creating customized construction materials, self-healing concrete, or targeted crack repair—while also offering new insights into how we can harness microbes for sustainable infrastructure and environmental remediation.

Governance and Policy Goals:

Ensure that the genetic transformation methods and resulting S. pasteurii-based biocement applications are developed and deployed in ways that prevent harm and promote environmental and social well-being.

Sub-Goal 1: Establish Robust Biosafety and Biosecurity Protocols

1. Mandatory Risk Assessments
   • Require comprehensive environmental impact assessments before approving field use of genetically modified S. pasteurii.
   • Evaluate potential routes of horizontal gene transfer, unintended ecological effects (e.g., altering local soil microbiomes), and potential risks to human health or infrastructure.
2. Containment and Monitoring
   • Develop standardized guidelines for laboratory work (e.g., physical or biological containment strategies) that reduce the risk of accidental release.
   • Require ongoing monitoring of field sites to detect gene flow, changes in microbial communities, or unanticipated effects on local ecosystems.

Sub-Goal 2: Promote Equitable Access and Responsible Innovation

1. Transparent Stakeholder Engagement
   • Involve local communities, policymakers, and subject-matter experts in decision-making processes regarding test sites and real-world deployments.
   • Provide clear communication about the technology’s benefits, risks, and long-term impacts to foster public trust and informed consent.
2. Fair Licensing and Capacity Building
   • Encourage open-source or fair-licensing models that enable broad access to the genetic engineering tools, fostering innovation while preventing monopolies.
   • Support training programs and technical assistance to local contractors, communities, and researchers so that benefits of the biocement technology are widely and fairly distributed.

Actions:

Stricter Regulatory Approval & Monitoring Framework

Purpose

• While certain regulations exist (e.g., under the EPA or equivalent agencies) for microbial releases, the guidelines for genetically engineered microbes in construction settings are less defined or enforced.
• Require a dedicated regulatory pathway for reviewing, approving, and periodically re-evaluating genetically modified (GM) S. pasteurii strains for field use, focusing on environmental impact, containment, and post-deployment monitoring.

Design

• Federal regulators (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency, or equivalent), local environmental agencies, academic researchers submitting data, and companies applying for field trials.
• Key Features:
  1. Applicants must submit a risk assessment of the modified microbe’s environmental impact, including potential gene flow and ecological effects.
  2. Mandatory field monitoring for a defined period (e.g., 3–5 years) to identify unintended consequences such as microbial community shifts, effect on local flora and fauna, etc.
  3. Summaries of risk assessments and field trial results made available to local communities and stakeholders.