The Biological Safety program is designed to maintain safe conditions in biological research and prevent harm to humans and the environment. Safe biological research includes appropriate facilities and equipment, adequate training, proper laboratory practices and safe working conditions.

Research projects utilizing recombinant/synthetic nucleic acids, infectious biological agents and acute biological toxins must be registered with the Biosafety Office and completed through the Gator TRACS Project Registration module. The Biosafety Office collaborates with UF committees such as the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure safety and regulatory compliance for research at UF.

You can find detailed information about biosafety in the UF Biosafety Manual including biosafety policies and safe work practices. If you are working with biohazards, be sure that an electronic link or paper copy of the UF Biosafety Manual is available in the laboratory.

For more information on general lab safety practices, please visit the Chemical and Lab Safety Page.

Contact the Biosafety Office

Resources

• UF Biosafety Manual
• Biomedical Waste Disposal
• Viral Vector Fact Sheet