The University of Vermont Biosafety Program’s primary mission is to support laboratory research in assuring the safety of research operations involving biohazardous materials, the researchers, the public and the environment by providing biosafety and research compliance guidance and support. We strive to provide excellence in a wide range of quality services that include biosafety training, IBC and IACUC registration & SOP reviews, risk assessments for laboratories and vivarium, and regulatory guidance for research and teaching activities involving biohazardous materials.
Biological safety or biosafety is the application of knowledge, techniques and equipment to prevent personal, laboratory and environmental exposure to potentially infectious agents or biohazards. Biosafety defines the containment conditions and work practices under which infectious agents can be safely manipulated. These pages serve as the biological safety manual for the University of Vermont. They should be used as a primary reference for any work involving biohazardous materials used at UVM.
Infectious or etiologic (disease causing) agents, potentially infectious materials, certain toxins and other hazardous biological materials are included in the definition of a biohazard. Biohazardous agents may include but are not limited to: Certain bacteria, fungi, viruses, rickettsiae, chlamydiae, parasites, recombinant products, allergens, cultured human or animal cells.