Biohazards in Research, Teaching, or Testing
Research, teaching, and testing involving biohazards must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to initiation.
New Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories Sixth Edition now available
The BMBL outlines biosafety best practices in biomedical and microbiological laboratories and is identified in the University Rule for Biohazards (15.99.06.M1) as one of several guidance documents researchers are expected to follow to ensure the safe and compliant use of biohazardous materials. All researchers involved in research, teaching, or testing activities involving biohazards should be familiar with the contents of this manual.
Biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories
Texas A&M Biosafety Manual
The Texas A&M Biosafety Manual was developed for researchers working with biohazards. The manual is periodically reviewed and updated as necessary.
Zoom Office Hours
Need help with IBC submissions? Schedule a help session. Zoom office hours are now available: Tuesdays – 10:00 am-11:00 am and Thursdays – 4:00 pm-5:00 pm. Email ibc@tamu.edu for the Zoom connection information.
What is a biohazard?
The Texas A&M University System regulation 15.99.06 defines biohazards as:
- Biological agents (bacteria, rickettsia, fungi, viruses, protozoa, parasites, and prions) that may cause disease in humans, animals, or plants;
- Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules as defined in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines);
- Human and non-human primate blood, tissue, cells and cell lines; and
- Toxins of biological origin as defined in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) document.
Research, teaching, and testing involving biohazards must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to initiation.
To whom does this apply?
This requirement applies to all faculty, staff, and students of Texas A&M or a component of The Texas A&M University System with a written agreement for biosafety related services with Texas A&M.
The Biosafety Program
The Biosafety Program provides training and support to faculty, staff, and students regarding the regulatory requirements associated with research reviewed by Texas A&M’s IBC.
If you are unsure whether your project involves biohazards, contact the Biosafety Program.
The Biosafety Occupational Health Program
The Texas A&M Biosafety Occupational Health Program (BOHP) is a component of the Biosafety Program. The BOHP provides occupational health services to personnel at risk of exposure to infectious biohazards (in BSL-2 and BSL-3 labs) or to animals in the course of their participation in IBC or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) permitted research, teaching, or diagnostic activities.
Report a Concern
Contact biosafety@tamu.edu for instructions after spills or any other exposure to biohazardous, or recombinantly modified agents.
Complete and submit the Office of Biohazard Incident Response Form within 24 hours of the incident. Call 979-845-6649 with questions.