Welcome to the UT Biosafety site
Biosafety Resources for Plant-Related Activities
This section of the website is devoted to biological safety topics and resources related to studies involving plants. This information is not intended to place obstacles in the way of conducting studies. Rather, it is intended to assist lab and research personnel with designing procedures in a manner that will reduce the risk of cross-contamination and environmental release.
Please check this page frequently as more information will be added to serve the ongoing needs of the University community. Please feel free to Robin Lyn Trundy, Biological Safety Officer at 865-974-1938 or by email at rtrundy@utk.edu for further assistance or to provide feedback on this site.
Biological Materials in Transit- Permits & Transportation Regulations
Biological materials permits and transportation requirements have a broader application to the University environment than you might think.
There are a number of ways that biological materials can be introduced or removed from research facilities. When conducting studies, it is common to exchange research materials with other collaborators. It’s also common for research personnel to visit collaborating institutions to learn new techniques. Faculty and research personnel can join or leave the University, and take materials with them.
Permit requirements are intended to ensure that biological materials that may bear an infectious disease or environmental impact risk are not inadvertently released, and to minimize the potential for clandestine use of such materials.
Transportation regulations apply to biological materials that are moved in commerce that meet the definition of a diagnostic specimen or infectious substance. Specific packaging, paperwork and training are required in some instances.
Please contact the Biosafety Officer for assistance before you send any biological materials by way of a commercial courier (i.e., FedEx, UPS) !
Additional note: Do not attempt to transport undeclared biological materials (or items that resemble these) in your carry-on or checked luggage while flying!
Biological Materials Permits
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service- Plant Protection & Quarantine Import/Export Permits
APHIS-PPQ safeguards agriculture and natural resources from the risks associated with the entry, establishment, or spread of animal and plant pests and noxious weeds. Plant pathogens, pests, noxious weeds, or materials that may contain these are likely to require a PPQ permit.
Website for more information:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/index.html
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service- Biotechnology Regulatory Services Permits
The Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) program regulates the field testing, movement, and importation of genetically engineered (GE) organisms that are known to be, or could be plant pests. BRS issues various types of permits for each of these activities.
Website for more information:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/
Department of Commerce- Requirements for export of biological agents
The DOC has
developed a list of biological agents (among other
products and technologies) that are restricted by
licensing requirements for export. The list includes
many items on the current DHHS/USDA "select agent" list
as well as specific viruses and Escherichia coli,
serotype O157, and other verotoxin producing strains.
Below is a link to the
Commerce Control List. The listing of pathogens begins on
page 54.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/bis/ear/pdf/ccl1.pdf
Please contact the Biosafety Officer for assistance if you plan to ship any infectious agents or toxins!
UT Research Compliance Links
Recombinant DNA Molecule Use
Recombinant DNA molecules are defined as: molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell, or molecules that result from the replication of those previously described.
All research activities (unless classified as exempt based on current NIH Guidelines) that involve in the use of recombinant DNA molecules must be registered, reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Relative to plant use, studies involving plants in conjunction with recombinant DNA molecules are not likely to be classified as exempt.
If studies involve field release of a genetically-modified plant that is not commercially available or not yet deregulated by APHIS, a PPQ or BRS notification or permit will most likely be required.
Resources:
UT’s IBC registration form
Recombinant DNA User's Guide - This document
provides guidance for completion of the UT IBC
recombinant DNA molecule registration form
pdf\3_07RDNAUSER.pdf
NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules
http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/rac/guidelines/guidelines.html
For further assistance regarding the committee review process, please contact
the Biosafety Officer or John Sanseverino, IBC Chair at
974-8080.
Other Resources
A Practical Guide to Containment:
Greenhouse Research with Transgenic Plants and Microbes (ISB)
This manual is an excellent resource for an explanation of plant biosafety levels and containment principles as they relate to greenhouse operations.
Link to the manual:
http://www.isb.vt.edu/greenhouse/green_man.intro.cfm
Arthropod Containment Guidelines (ASTMH/ACME)
This document is based on recommendations of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene / American Committee of Medical Entomology . The document describes arthropod handling practices, safety equipment and facilities for Arthropod Containment Levels 1-4. While the focus of the document is on arthropods of public health significance, plant and animal biologists may also benefit from this resource.
Link to this document:
http://www.astmh.org/SIC/files/ACGv31.pdf
Guidelines for Containment of Nonindigenous Arthropod Herbivores, Parasitoids and Predators (USDA APHIS- PPQ)
This document is intended to provide guidance for design, construction, maintenance and operation of facilities for containment of nonindigenous arthropod herbivores, parasitoids and predators which may be used in biological control research.
Link to this document:
http://www.fsl.orst.edu/qf/Artho_Contain_Guide.pdf
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