To ensure the safety of its researchers and public health, UW–Madison has several layers of oversight for pathogen work on campus. These include layers required by regulations and additional safeguards.
Safety Practices
The Office of Biological Safety (OBS) assists faculty, staff and students in observing safe laboratory practices for biological materials as prescribed by local, state and federal regulatory agencies. The office coordinates and collaborates with a number of other campus teams and committees with expertise in biosafety, risk management, biocontainment, federal regulations, laboratory operations and animal research safety.
Select Agent Program
The OBS houses UW–Madison’s Select Agent Program, which assists researchers approved to work with federal Select Agent pathogens in complying with all federal safety, security and reporting requirements associated with the work.
Research Approval
Any proposed work with infectious materials on campus must first be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The committee includes experts in human, animal and plant pathogens and infectious diseases; containment and biosafety best practices; and regulations governing research, as well as public members that are not affiliated with UW–Madison who represent the interests of the community. The IBC reviews pathogen research protocols to ensure they include adequate protections for lab workers, public health, agriculture and the environment.
Pathogenic research that falls under federal Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) regulations must also be reviewed by an IBC subcommittee. The DURC Subcommittee includes members with expertise on DURC research and biosafety/biosecurity regulations designed to assess and manage the additional risks associated with it.
The Biosecurity Task Force meets regularly to review and discuss issues related to proposed and ongoing pathogen research on campus. The task force brings together scientists, biosecurity and regulatory experts, risk management professionals and others.