NEW in "Resources": Inactivation spreadsheet, PI Responsibilities Form, Handout for Lab Neighbors (6/30/20).
Yes, there is a collaborator interest form located on the website link that will collect your information and submit it to the appropriate working groups to help you identify a suitable collaborator. If you prefer this to be more confidential please contact Cheryl Cameron at cheryl.cameron@case.edu
Please contact Environmental Health & Safety for all initial inquiries about working with potentially SARS-CoV2 infected samples of human or animal origin. Not all sample types require the same level of biosafety containment (see our reference chart link) EHS will let you know which guidelines are appropriate depending on the sample type and with questions regarding the classification of specific workflows.
Yes, all work with SARS-CoV2 requires more oversight than the standard CWRU biosafety regulations and compliance because researcher training and laboratory locations must be reviewed and approved before work commences. The COVID19 Enhanced BSL2 document provides additional guidance in practices to facilitate rapid ECP preparation and submission but does not replace or usurp CWRU’s biosafety regulations in any way. The guidance that we have circulated does not replace the need for each laboratory to have an ECP that includes all workflows with SARS-CoV2 that is fully approved by EHS (contact EHS) prior to work with any potentially infected samples. Space must be approved for enhanced BSL2 work by EHS, to ensure that specific facility requirements such as negative airflow, locked door to restrict access to workspace, and a sink for handwashing/eyewashing and spill cleanup are all available within the space. Every laboratory’s space, equipment and sample, and assay workflow is unique and must be assessed and approved independently. Each laboratory’s ECP must clearly state the specific types of samples that will be processed with specific assays, and when new sample types or assays are added these must be approved and integrated into a revised ECP and approved by EHS prior to beginning work on these sample types and/or performance of these assays.
Please contact Sophia Onwuzulike at smm39@case.edu for all inquiries regarding work with the SARS-CoV2 virus including in vitro viral culture, isolation of virus from patient samples, and any molecular manipulations of the virus.
Yes, all individuals working with infectious or potentially infectious samples must be trained by the PI or their laboratory designate who is highly experienced in enhanced BSL2 work. In the absence of suitable trainers, please contact Environmental Health & Safety to request assistance in training.
Review of the guidance document and the referenced document from Duke University should answer your questions about what work will need to be performed under what conditions. For additional questions please contact Cheryl Cameron at cheryl.cameron@case.edu
Yes, any work that involves genetic modification of the virus, expression of viral genes in a different organism, or the production of virus from vector -based systems is required by the NIH to undergo review by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Please contact Colleen Karlo at the IBC (216-368-0838 or colleen.karlo@case.edu)