Luz B. Ortiz-Alegría, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Adriana Reyes-León, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Genética y Cáncer; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Bernardette Estandía-Ortega, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Biología Molecular; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Sandra Ramos, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Oncología Experimental; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Carolina Romo-González, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Bacteriología Experimental; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Juan L. Chávez-Pacheco, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Farmacología; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
José A. Velázquez-Aragón, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Laboratorio de Oncología Experimental; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Saúl Gómez-Manzo, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Bioquímica Genética; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Roberto E. Jaloma-Avendaño, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Banco de Sangre; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Consuelo Salas-Labadía, omité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Genética y Cáncer; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Rebeca Santes-Palacios, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Toxicología Genética; Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Karla G. Carvajal-Aguilera, Comité de Bioseguridad en Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría; Laboratorio de Nutrición Experimental. Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico City, Mexico
Background: At the National Institute of Pediatrics (INP), basic and clinical research is conducted under protocols approved by the Institutional Research Committees. These protocols utilize various microorganisms, depending on the research areas. The creation and update of an inventory containing information on the biological risk characteristics of these microorganisms will enable the establishment of biosafety, biosecurity, and appropriate handling measures. Therefore, our objective was to analyze data from the questionnaire conducted as part of the annual report of Confidence-Building Measures regarding microorganisms used in the INP research protocols. Methods: Researchers responsible for research protocols were asked to complete a form detailing the general characteristics, biological risk, uses, storage, and disposal of the microorganisms used. Results: The majority of microorganisms used in research projects were bacteria, followed by parasites, fungi, and nematodes. These were mainly from commercial origin, while the remainder were donations and clinical isolates from humans or animals. Most of the microorganisms used are non-pathogenic or attenuated and are handled at biosafety level 2. Ten percent of the microorganisms used had specific genetic modifications, and the biological implications of these alterations are unknown. Conclusions: Based on this information, measures could be implemented to improve biosafety, biosecurity, and biocontainment within the Institute, as well as to establish reliable mechanisms to prevent and minimize the risks related to the use and handling of these biological agents.
Keywords: Microorganisms. Biomedical research. National Institute of Pediatrics. Biosafety.