Shipping permits, Facility inspections and other dIYBio challenges

[Tom De Medts]

Hi DIYers,

I am new to the DIY Bio universe, having worked almost exclusively in university settings.

Currently, I want to transform some plants / seedlings with Agrobacterium. But it looks like I will need a lot of paperwork approved - 

1. USDA-APHIS permit for inter-state shipping from my alma mater in CA to me in VA

2. USDA-BRS facility inspection at physical location,  for compliance with biosafety regulation

Agro is BSL-1 and RG-1 (see this UCSD link), but NIH, CDC, USDA guidelines seem pretty paralyzing for DIYers..

But what do I know? As an independent community researcher, I am new to all of this regulation. Hence this email request for help.

Can a DIYer please tell me how to convince faculty at my former university, with true facts, as to why

shipping Agro strains, containing recombinant DNA plasmids, is compliant with all policies.

Several threads on this forum refer to permit applications. Can a citizen scientist apply for one?

Could some one guide me to relevant info? Which one would it be - USDA PPQ Form 526?

How about carrying out this project in a garage lab? Is that also allowed?

Would I need permits for that as well? Which ones?

If not, then what are workarounds? DIYLab? Community Lab? Or will they need to have been already inspected and approved?

Thanks, in advance.

- Tom

[Andreas "Mega" Stuermer]

Why do you ship agrobacterium to VA? Aren't there local sources? Just ship the plasmids. 

AFAIK, only shipping agrobacterium between States requires a permit. 

[Tom De Medts]

Good point, Andreas. True, shipping permit is for Agro, not for plasmid DNA.

But that poses 2 other questions:

Q1. If I do not know anyone here (I moved here recently), then why would anyone give me Agro strains as a gift? So are there DIYbio strain collections that I can request? Plus I am looking for a few different ones - LBA4404, C58C1, EHA105, GV3101.

Q2. I've only used electroporation to transform Agro, and no DIYlab in my vicinity has an electroporator. I know there is a freeze-thaw protocol, but I've never used it.

Your thoughts? BTW, do you have experience dealing with such issues? Just curious....

Thanks!

[Andreas Stuermer]

I know people in VA, not sure if they have all agro strains you need tough. 

An electroporator is literally 200-300$ on eBay. If i wanted one to Europe, it would still be cheaper to buy it on eBay despite 200$ shippment and 400$ customs import fees. So I don't really understand why you're not just buying one and be happy you live in the US and get it so cheap. It will probably be cheaper than buying the materials for heat shock, too ;) 

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[Elliot]

Check with Shaun at Charlottesville Open Bio Labs, he may have some on hand.