COURSE
SCIE1046: Fundamental of Microbiology with Lab
Activity 5.4: Biosafety
1. About the Lab
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how a Biosafety containment level 3 laboratory is constructed (e.g. air flow and pressure control).
- Understand the basic safety rules of a Biosafety containment level III laboratory (e.g. use of safety equipment).
- Handle microorganisms in a Biosafety containment level III laboratory.
- Understand the concept of fumigation and how this is executed within a microbiological safety cabinet.
Estimated Length: 50 minutes to 1 hour
MAKE THE CONNECTION
The background information in section 2 was adapted from the following Microbiology lecture course Tutorials:
1.2.5 Staining Methods
2.1.2 Gram-Negative Bacteria
2.1.3 Gram-Positive Bacteria
4.2.2 Biological Safety Levels
5.1.4 Virulence Factors of Bacteria and Viruses
2. Background Information
The following background information will be helpful as you prepare for the simulation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on biosafety and the need for uniformity across the world. While frameworks exist for risk assessment and management of pathogen exposures, it is up to each individual country to establish their own biosafety and biosecurity protocols. In February 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) put out a call for the collection of evidence and a review of the effectiveness of national frameworks. This initiative was launched with the intention to create policy and guidance documents to be implemented worldwide.
The following lab simulation was created under the current biosafety and security guidelines of the United Kingdom (UK). Biosafety levels (BSLs) are used universally to determine the protective measures used to protect the public, but the units used and standards can differ among countries. In the United States, BSL units are divided into four levels and guidelines are published in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL). The BMBL is a joint publication by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) division within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In the UK, the BSL unit guidelines are published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) within the Management and Operation of Microbiological Containment Laboratories manual. BSL units within the UK are referred to as Containment Levels (CL) but are still divided into four levels. The UK standards even differ from other European Union standards. Practices associated with food storage, cabinet usage, pipetting practices, and decontamination proceeds all vary among European countries. When entering or performing any task within a BSL or CL unit, it is essential that you review the proper practices, protocols, and procedures for that individual unit. Practice publications are made public in most countries and should be available in unit settings.
Resources:
Management and Operation of Microbiological Containment Laboratories (2018) Health and Safety Executive, Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens. www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/management-containment-labs.pdf
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (2020) 6th Edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.cdc.gov/labs/pdf/SF__19_308133-A_BMBL6_00-BOOK-WEB-final-3.pdf
Johnson, C. and Casagrande, R. (2016) Comparison of International Guidance for Biosafety. Application of Biosafety. 21(3) 128-141 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9451595/
Silver, A. (2022) Why the world has no universal biosafety standards. British Medical Journal. 377. www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o954
2a. Laboratory Biological Safety Methods
To determine the BSL, the following considerations must be made:
- What is the infectivity of the agent?
- How transmissible is the agent?
- What is the potential severity of the disease caused by the agent?
- What type of work is being done using the agent?
BSLs range from 1 (the lowest risk) to 4 (the highest risk), and there are specific requirements associated with each BSL. The number of precautions increases from lower to higher BSL. Agents at the lowest BSL (BSL-1) require relatively few precautions because they do not cause infections in healthy adult humans.
Standard aseptic technique is used to prevent contamination of the work area or spread of the microbes. Work can be performed at open laboratory benches. Personnel wear standard personal protective equipment (such as a laboratory coat, goggles, and/or gloves as needed depending on the type of work being performed). It is always important to have a sink for handwashing, which is standard in any microbiology laboratory, and doors to separate the laboratory from the rest of the building. Additional safety equipment may be available depending on the types of experiments performed in the laboratory, such as chemical safety equipment and fire extinguishers.
2b. Staining Methods
You are encouraged to review the complete Microbiology lecture course Tutorial 1.2.5 Staining Methods for additional background on this topic before you begin the simulation.
2c. Gram-Negative Bacteria
You are encouraged to review the complete Microbiology lecture course Tutorial 2.1.2 Gram-Negative Bacteria for additional background on this topic before you begin the simulation.
2d. Gram-Positive Bacteria
You are encouraged to review the complete Microbiology lecture course Tutorial 2.1.3 Gram-Positive Bacteria for additional background on this topic before you begin the simulation.
2e. Virulence Factors of Bacteria and Viruses
You are encouraged to review the complete Microbiology lecture course Tutorial 5.1.4 Virulence Factors of Bacteria and Viruses for additional background on this topic before you begin the simulation.
3. Lab Manual
This Lab Manual gives a synopsis of the lab and the theory behind it. You’re encouraged to read or download the manual before launching the lab. This information will also be available during the simulation by selecting the “Theory” tab on the virtual LabPad.
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