Biological Safety    

The Biological Safety Program is managed by the Office of Biosafety (www.rcb.tamu.edu). Guidance documents, requirements, and training sessions are offered and should be consulted when employees work with or have the potential to come in contact with biohazardous materials.

1. Biohazardous materials are potentially hazardous biological agents and include the following:

1.1. Etiologic agents which may cause disease in humans, animals or plants (including bacterial, fungal, parasitic, rickettsial, viral, and prion disease agents)

1.2. Human body fluids or tissues (e.g. bloodborne pathogens) including human cell culture (primary or continuous)

1.3. Agents and molecules involved with recombinant DNA biotechnology and genetic manipulation (including recombinant / transgenic agents including plants, animals, as well as pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganism (eukaryotic and prokaryotic)

1.4. Animals infected with zooneses

1.5. Items contaminated with etiologic agents or human body fluids or tissues.

2. Possession and use of biohazardous materials for research requires prior approval by Texas A&M’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

3. The Office of Biosafety and TAMUG EHS work together to ensure biosafety cabinets are certified annually or as needed; contact EHS to schedule a biosafety cabinet certification.