Biohazard Research

Rules for Research Projects with Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents

• Students are allowed to conduct research projects with potentially hazardous biological agents if they follow the conditions and rules outlined in the text.
• A risk assessment on Form (6A) must be conducted and documented to determine the potential level of harm, injury, or disease to plants, animals, and humans that may occur when working with biological agents.
• The risk assessment determines a biosafety level, which in turn determines if the project can proceed and the required laboratory facilities, equipment, training, and supervision.
• Prior review and approval are required for the use of potentially hazardous microorganisms, recombinant DNA technologies, or human or animal fresh/frozen tissues, blood, or body fluids.
• An affiliated fair SRC, an IBC, or an IACUC must approve all research before experimentation begins.
• Experimentation involving the culturing of potentially hazardous biological agents, even BSL-1 organisms, is prohibited in a home environment.
• Research determined to be at Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) must be conducted in a BSL-1 or higher laboratory and supervised by a trained Designated Supervisor or a Qualified Scientist.
• Research determined to be a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) must be conducted in a laboratory rated BSL-2 or above and reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
• Students are prohibited from designing or participating in BSL-3 or BSL-4 Research.
• Laboratory studies designed to culture known clinically significant multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) must be conducted at a Regulated Research Institution laboratory with a minimum of BSL-2 containment and documented IBC review and approval.
• Insertion of antibiotic resistance markers for the clonal selection of bioengineered organisms is permitted with some exceptions.
• All potentially hazardous biological agents must be properly disposed of according to their biosafety level at the end of experimentation.

Test your knowledge on the rules and regulations for conducting research projects with potentially hazardous biological agents with this informative quiz. Learn about risk assessments, biosafety levels, laboratory facilities, and approval requirements. Challenge yourself to understand the guidelines for designing and participating in research projects involving bioengineered organisms and multidrug-resistant organisms. Take this quiz to ensure that you are familiar with the proper disposal methods for potentially hazardous biological agents.