Biological Safety

Providing support, in the form of risk assessment, review, consultation and training, for research at UC Berkeley that involves the use of recombinant DNA, biohazardous materials and biological toxins.

Dual Use Research of Concern

Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) is life sciences research that, based on current understanding, can be reasonably anticipated to provide knowledge, information, products, or technologies that could be directly misapplied to pose a significant threat with broad potential consequences to public health and safety, agricultural crops and other plants, animals, the environment, materiel, or national security.


The U.S. government has developed a policy establishing regular review of government-funded or -conducted research with 15 high-consequence pathogens and...

Laura Flores

Associate Biosafety Officer / High Containment Facilities Director
Biosafety
BUA
Lab Safety

Olga Draper

Associate Biosafety Officer
Biosafety
BUA
Lab Safety

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Labs

EH&S provides campus researchers with lab coats, safety glasses, and goggles. We also provide shared protective equipment to labs, such as face shields and protective aprons.

Please contact the PPE coordinator at ppe@berkeley.edu or by calling (510) 642-3073 if you have any questions or comments about personal protective equipment for your lab.

General Autoclave Safety

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2023

Autoclaves are used for steam sterilization – a process achieved by using superheated steam to kill microorganisms and spores. Autoclaves are used to decontaminate certain biological waste and sterilize lab materials.

Needles and Sharps: Safe Handling, Injury Response and Disposal

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2020

A sharp is any device with corners, edges, or projections capable of cutting or piercing. Sharps include,
but are not limited to, the following:

Needles Needles with syringes and attached tubing Blades (razors, scalpels and X-acto®) Glass pasteur pipettes Broken glass, glass slides, and coverslips

Biosafety Comprehensive Training Documentation

2023

Attentation of biosafety training and requirements

Biosafety Laboratory Inspection Program

Biosafety Biosafety Laboratory Inspection Program

EH&S biosafety staff conduct inspections of all laboratory spaces included on a research group’s Biological Use Authorization (BUA). These inspections cover administrative controls, elements of general laboratory safety, and specific requirements related to the...

Recombinant DNA Training for Research Group Members Template

2023

Principal Investigators (PIs) whose research involves recombinant DNA are required by NIH to provide their research group members training on lab-specific hazards and emergency procedures. The UC Berkeley Biosafety Program (bso@berkeley.edu) has prepared this PowerPoint presentation template to assist PIs in meeting this requirement.

Biological Materials Training for Research Group Members Template

2023

Principal Investigators (PIs) who have a Biological Use Authorization (BUA) are required by UC Berkeley’s Committee for Laboratory and Environmental Biosafety (CLEB) to provide their research group members training on lab-specific hazards and emergency procedures. The UC Berkeley Biosafety Program (bso@berkeley.edu) has prepared this PowerPoint presentation template to assist PIs in meeting this requirement.