The BSL-3 laboratories and A/BSL-3 rooms are core UVM research facilities which allow the manipulation and safe handling of pathogenic microorganisms requiring BSL-3 and/or A/BSL-3 containment.  This facility is located within the Vermont Department of Health Lab and is comprised of approximately 3,000 square feet with dedicated BSL-3 and A/BSL-3 suites. The management of this facility is shared by Larner College of Medicine, the Office of Animal Care Management and the Vermont Department of Health by virtue of its location. 

The facility is used only by researchers at UVM.  As a core facility, the labs are signed out by researchers as needed to conduct their research.   

New researchers wishing to utilize this facility must receive Research Plan Feasibility and Scientific Merit Review, meet certain minimum experience requirements, and have completed comprehensive training in the facility prior to independent access. The requirements can be found below.

To Be Determined

Section 9.0 Animal/Biosafety Level 3 Facility describes how the facility functions and who supports its day-to-day operation. 

Prerequisites

• Section 9.1 Animal/Biosafety Level 3 Training Guidelines and Practices for Researchers
• BSL3 Researcher Experience form needs to be completed and submitted with the IBC protocol
• IBC CITI Requirements – for A/BSL-3 researchers, the CITI online training requirements include BSL-2 and Dual Use Research of Concern.
• If you are working with animals, there are additional course requirements, at IACUC CITI Requirements.
• Training Checklists
  • Form A Techniques
  • Form B Proficiency
  • Form C Training Completion

Note:  All animal husbandry support personnel have undergone appropriate training.  

Once the researcher has obtained approval for use of the facility for their research and they have completed the required training they must submit their research protocol to the Institutional Biosafety Committee for review and approval. 

See Section 3.0. Master Protocol Submission

• Biosafety Plan
• Biosecurity Plan
• Emergency Response Plan

Currently under revision.

Drills and Exercises Schedule 

Typically, these are conducted during the facility shutdowns.  Around the time of shutdowns, be on the lookout for notice of scheduled opportunities for ongoing training.  

Semi-annual facility shutdowns occur in June and December. These shutdowns typically last between 1-2 weeks depending upon the scope of work being addressed. Researchers should plan accordingly as shutdowns require researchers to stop work and decontaminate all equipment and laboratory spaces.  This pause in work allows external technical/building staff to enter and address broken/failing facility equipment, conduct maintenance, etc. 

Contact Elayna Mellas-Hulett: 
Phone: 6-0377
elayna.mellas-hulett@med.uvm.edu