Guidelines for Biosafety in Teaching Laboratories Version 2.0: A Revised and Updated Manual for 2019

Abstract

The original Guidelines for Biosafety in Teaching Laboratories were developed in 2012 in response to an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that originated from clinical and teaching microbiology laboratories. In the 7 years since the publication of the guidelines, there have been two subsequent CDC-reported Salmonella outbreaks originating from clinical and teaching microbiology laboratories. Use of and issues with the guidelines by ASM members have been tracked by various means since publication, and in 2018 it became apparent that an update of the guidelines was necessary. The Education Board of the American Society for Microbiology charged this task force with updating the guidelines based on the accumulated information. While the guidelines should look familiar, users will find that the originally separate BSL1 and BSL2 guidelines have been rolled into one document, to help eliminate redundancy and confusion. In addition, sections on risk assessment and service animals in the teaching laboratory have been added. These updated guidelines should help clarify many of the issues for which users expressed problems with the original guidelines.

Triage and Recovery of STEM Laboratory Skills

“…There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and departments and institutions must be creative in their efforts. It is important that during any of the recovery methods, the instructor explain and monitor appropriate use of PPE and follow lab and COVID-19 safety guidelines ( https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/colleges-universities/considerations.html ) ( 19 ). Although some PPE and laboratory safety may have been taught at home in a virtual course with the use of videos and/or take-home kits, lack of funding or other logistical challenges may have compromised such efforts.…”

Teaching during COVID-19 Times: A Community College Perspective

“…Critically, we distinguish this recommendation from suggesting students engage in the current “DiY Science” movement, in which nonbiologists attempt genetic engineering at home ( 40 ). We also reiterate the importance of caution with DIY labs and refer readers to the ASM Guidelines for Biosafety in Teaching Laboratories ( 41 ), specifically those regarding at-home microbiology kits.…”

Redesign of an Undergraduate General Microbiology Lab to Include Authentic Discovery-Driven Research on Cucumber Fermentations

“…Experiments were designed using BSL-2 lab procedures and the American Society for Microbiology Guidelines for Biosafety in Teaching Labs 15 . Experiments, were reviewed by the NCSU Institutional Biosafety Committee and documented in a Biological Use Authorization from NCSU Environmental Health and Safety (#2017-07-709).…”