National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Safelab II Basic Biological Safety Robert O’Connor Ph.D DCU Biological Safety Advisor

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology What is biosafety?  Biosafety - safety measures taken with respect to the effects of biological research on humans, animals, plants and the environment  Keeping you and others safe from biological hazards and meeting statutory requirements

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Causes of biological diseases All organisms (esp animals and humans) are incubators for disease-causing organisms  Viruses  HIV, Hepatitis  Bacteria  Tetanus, TB  Toxins of bacteria – Tetanus toxin  Fungi  Aspergillus, Candida  Toxins of fungi (mycotoxins –aflatoxin)  Parasites  Malaria (plasmodium)  Prions – CJD Infectious proteins  Allergies – allergies to animal products

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Classification of biohazards  Biosafety level 1  Environmentally common, low individual and community risk and are highly unlikely to cause disease in healthy workers or animals – E.Coli  BSL2  Hazardous only through unusual exposure, self limiting disease, non-contagious and treatable – Anthrax, Candida, Hepatitis, HIV  BSL3  Known to cause serious human or animal disease, or which can result in serious economic consequences but limited contagion- Avian Influenza, TB  BSL4  Fatal human or animal disease, untreatable, and very contagious (Marburg, Ebola)

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Additional considerations  Certain practices –e.g. cultivation, may increase biosafety requirements  Aside from safety, some organisms require extra security precautions – bioterrorism  Ethical requirements for human material  Transport  Legislative/regulatory restrictions  Disposal  Each BS level has mandated laboratory requirements  Laboratory design  Training  PPE  Security

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology How are we exposed to biohazards?  Contact with human products – inc blood, saliva, urine, tissue  Contact with Humans!!  Contact with animals and their products – zoonoses & allergies  Contact with human/animal cells/microbes

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology How can these things cause disease  Organism must get onto/into body in sufficient amount and begin to grow  Mechanisms  Ingestion  Inhalation - aerosol  Puncture wounds –needles/glass ware  Direct contact  Mucous membranes –esp eyes and nose

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Protective measures  Training and knowledge  Facilities appropriate to hazard  Biosafety cabinets  Sealed centrifuge rotors  Containment  Appropriate labelled storage  Good practice  Never eating near samples/lab environment  Appropriate vaccination (e.g. tetanus, hepatitis, TB)  Avoid sharps  Appropriate waste handling (labelling, autoclaving, incineration)

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology

Some standard lab points  Lab coat  Wash hands before leaving  Wear safety glasses –ALWAYS  Cover cuts/abrasions  Wear gloves where appropriate  Have an appropriate spill containment/treatment procedure  Appropriate local and national/international transport procedures  Don’t forget other hazards – chemical, physical etc.

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Legislation I  Biological safety is covered in general and specific terms in the Health and Safety at Work acts  These ascribe individual and “corporate” responsibilities.  Transport of samples covered by certain regulations  University has general HSA authorisation for BSL1 Activities  University has BSL2 approvals but additional notification required  Faculty - Biosafety overseen by Faculty Biological Safety Committee

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology GMOs  GMOs- genetically modified organisms  Animals, cells, bacteria and viruses which are modified by some direct genetic means  Cell lines transfected or transduced  Transgenic animals  Genetically Modified Microbes (GMM)

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Legislation II  Any generation, use or storage of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is additionally covered by separate National and EU legislation  Overseen by EPA  BSL I Activities - general notification  BSL II Require specific license  BSL III Require special license.  All GMOs must be stored in specific lab conditions, inventory and stringent reporting conditions exist  EPA frequently inspect

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Summary Remember  Always wear PPE  Take active measures appropriate to the hazard – e.g. vaccination  Report any problems/exposure  Inactivate hazardous material  Bear in mind security, cleaners, couriers, colleagues  Caution if work with animals/animal products, humans, testing on animal/human products, cancer cells or microbes

National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology Some Relevant links  Vaccination policy  Faculty H&S information  EPA GMO info & legislation nismsgmo/  HSA guidance on biological agents