Welcome to MSU's Biosafety website. This website has been developed to help Principal Investigators, researchers and staff develop safe laboratory environments and work practices to work safely with biohazardous agents such as infectious microorganisms, recombinant DNA, and biologically derived toxins.
Biosafety is the discipline that addresses how to safely handle and contain infectious microorganisms and hazardous biological materials with the goal of preventing laboratory acquired infections and to protect the community and enviroment from accidental releases. It is based on good microbiological practices, the use of safety equipment and personal protective equipment, and the consideration of secondary containment when designing laboratories. Everyone that works in a lab with biohazardous agents plays a role in biosafety at MSU. The MSU Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for review and oversight of research and teaching activities that use recombinant DNA, infectious agents, and toxins. If you are working with these materials, you must submit a protocol(s) to the IBC for approval. Principal Investigators are responsible for carrying out the IBC approved Biosafety Program and for following any regulations that apply to their research such as the National Institutes of Health Guidelines on recombinant DNA research. Individual researchers and laboratory workers are responsible for following established guidelines and policies and for reporting incidents and unsafe working conditions.
Biosafety is just one aspect of laboratory safety. Other aspects of laboratory safety may include chemical safety, medical surveillance, ergonomics, and compliance with OSHA regulations. These other aspects of laboratory safety are addressed by Safety and Risk Management (SRM) at MSU and this webpage links to the SRM webpage where the biosafety program and the SRM programs overlap.
The Biosafety Officer and Assistant Biosafety Officer are here to offer their assistance and expertise in biosafety practices and principles and to help navigate through the myriad of guidelines, regulations, and permits.
