NIH GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH
INVOLVING
RECOMBINANT OR SYNTHETIC
Nucleic Acid MOLECULES
(NIH GUIDELINES)
April 2024
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
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Visit the NIH OSP Web site at:
https://osp.od.nih.gov
Office
of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 630,
MSC 7985, Bethesda, MD 20892-7985 (20817
for non-USPS mail), (301) 496-9838; (301) 496-9839 (fax).
For
inquiries, information requests, and report submissions: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov
These NIH Guidelines shall supersede all earlier versions until further notice.
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Effective June 24, 1994, Published in Federal Register, July 5, 1994 (59 FR 34472)
Amendment Effective July 28, 1994, Federal Register, August 5, 1994 (59 FR 40170)
Amendment Effective April 17, 1995, Federal Register, April 27, 1995 (60 FR 20726)
Amendment Effective December 14, 1995, Federal Register, January 19, 1996 (61 FR 1482)
Amendment Effective March 1, 1996, Federal Register, March 12, 1996 (61 FR 10004)
Amendment Effective January 23, 1997, Federal Register, January 31, 1997 (62 FR 4782)
Amendment Effective September 30, 1997, Federal Register, October 14, 1997 (62 FR 53335)
Amendment Effective October 20, 1997, Federal Register, October 29, 1997 (62 FR 56196)
Amendment Effective October 22, 1997, Federal Register, October 31, 1997 (62 FR 59032)
Amendment Effective February 4, 1998, Federal Register, February 17, 1998 (63 FR 8052)
Amendment Effective April 30, 1998, Federal Register, May 11, 1998 (63 FR 26018)
Amendment Effective April 29, 1999, Federal Register, May 11, 1999 (64 FR 25361)
Amendment Effective October 2, 2000, Federal Register, October 10, 2000 (65 FR 60328)
Amendment Effective December 28, 2000, Federal Register, January 5, 2001 (66 FR 1146)
Amendment Effective December 11, 2001, Federal Register, December 11, 2001 (66 FR 64051)
Amendment Effective December 19, 2001, Federal Register, November 19, 2001 (66 FR 57970)
Amendment Effective January 10, 2002, Federal Register, December 11, 2001 (66 FR 64052)
Amendment Effective January 24, 2002, Federal Register, November 19, 2001 (66 FR 57970)
Amendment Effective
September 22, 2009, Federal Register, September 22, 2009 (74 FR 48275)
Amendment Effective January 19, 2011, Federal Register, January 19, 2011 (76 FR 3150)
Amendment Effective May 12, 2011, Federal Register, May 12, 2011 (76 FR 27653)
Amendment Effective October 11, 2011, Federal Register, October 11, 2011 (76 FR 62816)
Amendment Effective February 21, 2013, Federal Register,
February 21, 2013 (78
FR 12074)
Amendment Effective March 5, 2013, Federal Register, September 5, 2012 (77 FR 54584)
Amendment Effective November 6, 2013, Federal Register, November 6, 2013 (78 FR 66751)
Amendment Effective April 27, 2016, Federal Register, March 22, 2016 (81 FR 15315)
Amendment Effective April 15, 2016, Federal Register, April 15, 2016 (81 FR 22286)
Amendment Effective April 25, 2019, Federal Register, April 26, 2019 (84 FR 17858)
Amendment Effective September 30, 2024, Federal
Register, April 5, 2024 (89 FR 24016)
NIH Office of Science Policy Contact
Information:
SECTION
I....................... SCOPE
OF THE NIH GUIDELINES
Section I-A................... Purpose
Section I-B................... Definition
of Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
Section I-C................... General
Applicability
Section I-D................... Compliance
with the NIH Guidelines
Section I-E................... General
Definitions
SECTION
II...................... SAFETY
CONSIDERATIONS
Section II-A.................. Risk
Assessment
Section II-A-1............... Risk
Groups
Section II-A-2............... Criteria
for Risk Groups
Section II-A-3............... Comprehensive
Risk Assessment
Section II-B.................. Containment
SECTION
III..................... EXPERIMENTS
COVERED BY THE NIH GUIDELINES
Section III-A-1.............. Major
Actions under the NIH Guidelines
Section III-D-4.............. Experiments
Involving Whole Animals
Section III-D-5.............. Experiments
Involving Whole Plants
Section III-D-6.............. Experiments
Involving More than 10 Liters of Culture
Section III-D-7.............. Experiments Involving Influenza Viruses
Section III-D-8.............. Experiments Involving Gene Drive Modified Organisms
Section III-E-2.............. Experiments
Involving Whole Plants
Section III-E-3.............. Experiments
Involving Transgenic Rodents
Section III-F................. Exempt Experiments
SECTION
IV..................... ROLES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Section IV-A................. Policy
Section IV-B................. Responsibilities
of the Institution
Section IV-B-1.............. General
Information
Section IV-B-2.............. Institutional
Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Section IV-B-2-a........... Membership
and Procedures
Section IV-B-2-b........... Functions
Section IV-B-3.............. Biological
Safety Officer (BSO)
Section IV-B-4.............. Plant,
Plant Pathogen, or Plant Pest Containment Expert
Section IV-B-5.............. Animal
Containment Expert
Section IV-B-6.............. Human
Gene Therapy Expertise
Section IV-B-7.............. Principal
Investigator (PI)
Section IV-B-7-a........... General
Responsibilities
Section IV-B-7-b........... Information
to Be Submitted by the Principal Investigator to NIH OSP
Section IV-C................ Responsibilities
of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Section IV-C-1............. NIH
Director
Section IV-C-1-a.......... General
Responsibilities
Section IV-C-1-b.......... Specific
Responsibilities
Section IV-C-1-b-(1)..... Major
Actions
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)..... Minor
Actions
Section IV-C-2............. Office
of Science Policy (OSP)
Section IV-C-3............. Other
NIH Components
Section IV-D................ Voluntary
Compliance
Section IV-D-1............. Basic
Policy - Voluntary Compliance
Section IV-D-2............. Institutional
Biosafety Committee Approval - Voluntary Compliance
Section IV-D-3............. Certification
of Host-Vector Systems - Voluntary Compliance
Section IV-D-4............. Requests
for Exemptions and Approvals - Voluntary Compliance
Section IV-D-5............. Protection
of Proprietary Data - Voluntary Compliance
Section IV-D-5-a.......... General
Section IV-D-5-b.......... Pre-submission
Review
SECTION
V...................... FOOTNOTES
AND REFERENCES OF SECTIONS I THROUGH IV
APPENDIX
A.................... EXEMPTIONS
UNDER SECTION III-F-6--SUBLISTS OF NATURAL EXCHANGERS
Appendix A-I................ Sublist
A
Appendix A-II............... Sublist
B
Appendix A-III.............. Sublist
C
Appendix A-IV.............. Sublist
D
Appendix A-V............... Sublist
E
Appendix A-VI.............. Sublist
F
APPENDIX
B.................... CLASSIFICATION
OF HUMAN ETIOLOGIC AGENTS ON THE BASIS OF HAZARD
Appendix B-I................ Risk
Group 1 (RG1) Agents
Appendix B-II............... Risk
Group 2 (RG2) Agents
Appendix B-II-A............ Risk
Group 2 (RG2) - Bacterial Agents Including Chlamydia
Appendix B-II-B............ Risk
Group 2 (RG2) - Fungal Agents
Appendix B-II-C........... Risk
Group 2 (RG2) - Parasitic Agents
Appendix B-II-D........... Risk
Group 2 (RG2) - Viruses
Appendix B-III.............. Risk
Group 3 (RG3) Agents
Appendix B-III-A........... Risk
Group 3 (RG3) - Bacterial Agents Including Rickettsia
Appendix B-III-B........... Risk
Group 3 (RG3) - Fungal Agents
Appendix B-III-C.......... Risk
Group 3 (RG3) - Parasitic Agents
Appendix B-III-D.......... Risk
Group 3 (RG3) - Viruses and Prions
Appendix B-IV.............. Risk
Group 4 (RG4) Agents
Appendix B-IV-A.......... Risk
Group 4 (RG4) - Bacterial Agents
Appendix B-IV-B.......... Risk
Group 4 (RG4) - Fungal Agents
Appendix B-IV-C.......... Risk
Group 4 (RG4) - Parasitic Agents
Appendix B-IV-D.......... Risk
Group 4 (RG4) - Viral Agents
Appendix B-V............... Animal
Viral Etiologic Agents in Common Use
Appendix B-V-1............ Murine
Retroviral Vectors
APPENDIX
C.................... EXEMPTIONS
UNDER SECTION III-F-8
Appendix C-I................ Recombinant
or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules in Tissue Culture
Appendix C-I-A............ Exceptions
Appendix C-II............... Escherichia coli K-12 Host-Vector
Systems
Appendix C-II-A........... Exceptions
Appendix C-III.............. Saccharomyces Host-Vector Systems
Appendix C-III-A.......... Exceptions
Appendix C-IV.............. Kluyveromyces Host-Vector Systems
Appendix C-IV-A.......... Exceptions
Appendix C-V............... Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus licheniformis Host-Vector
Systems
Appendix C-V-A........... Exceptions
Appendix C-VI.............. Extrachromosomal
Elements of Gram Positive Organisms
Appendix C-VI-A.......... Exceptions
Appendix C-VII............. The
Purchase or Transfer of Transgenic Rodents
Appendix C-VIII............ Generation
of BL1 Transgenic Rodents via Breeding.
Appendix C-IX.............. Footnotes
and References of Appendix C
APPENDIX
D.................... MAJOR
ACTIONS TAKEN UNDER THE NIH GUIDELINES
Appendix E-I................ Bacillus subtilis
Appendix E-I-A............. Bacillus subtilis Host-Vector 1 Systems
Appendix E-I-B............. Bacillus subtilis Host-Vector 2 Systems
Appendix E-II............... Saccharomyces
cerevisiae
Appendix E-II-A............ Saccharomyces cerevisiae Host-Vector 2
Systems
Appendix E-III.............. Escherichia coli
Appendix E-III-A........... Escherichia coli (EK2) Plasmid Systems
Appendix E-III-B........... Escherichia coli (EK2) Bacteriophage
Systems
Appendix E-IV.............. Neurospora crassa
Appendix E-IV-A.......... Neurospora crassa Host-Vector 1 Systems
Appendix E-V............... Streptomyces
Appendix E-V-A........... Streptomyces Host-Vector 1 Systems
Appendix E-VI.............. Pseudomonas putida
Appendix E-VI-A.......... Pseudomonas putida Host-Vector 1 Systems
Appendix F-I................ General
Information
Appendix F-II............... Cloning
of Toxin Molecule Genes in Escherichia
coli K-12
Appendix F-IV.............. Specific
Approvals
APPENDIX
G................... PHYSICAL
CONTAINMENT
Appendix G-I................ Standard
Practices and Training
Appendix G-II............... Physical
Containment Levels
Appendix G-II-A-1........ Standard
Microbiological Practices (BL1)
Appendix G-II-A-2........ Special
Practices (BL1)
Appendix G-II-A-3........ Containment
Equipment (BL1)
Appendix G-II-A-4........ Laboratory
Facilities (BL1)
Appendix G-II-B-1........ Standard
Microbiological Practices (BL2)
Appendix G-II-B-2........ Special
Practices (BL2)
Appendix G-II-B-3........ Containment
Equipment (BL2)
Appendix G-II-B-4........ Laboratory
Facilities (BL2)
Appendix G-II-C-1........ Standard
Microbiological Practices (BL3)
Appendix G-II-C-2........ Special
Practices (BL3)
Appendix G-II-C-2-t...... Alternative
Selection of Containment Equipment (BL3)
Appendix G-II-C-3........ Containment
Equipment (BL3)
Appendix G-II-C-4........ Laboratory
Facilities (BL3)
Appendix G-II-C-5-b..... Containment
for Animal Research.
Appendix G-II-C-5-c..... Occupational
Health
Appendix G-II-D........... Biosafety
Level 4 (BL4)
Appendix G-II-D-1........ Standard
Microbiological Practices (BL4)
Appendix G-II-D-2........ Special
Practices (BL4)
Appendix G-II-D-2-m.... Alternative
Selection of Containment Equipment (BL4)
Appendix G-II-D-3........ Containment
Equipment (BL4)
Appendix G-II-D-4........ Laboratory
Facilities (BL4)
Appendix G-III.............. Footnotes
and References of Appendix G
APPENDIX
H.................... SHIPMENT
Appendix H-III.............. Footnotes
and References of Appendix H
Appendix I-I................. Levels
of Biological Containment
Appendix I-I-A.............. Host-Vector
1 Systems
Appendix I-I-A-1........... Escherichia coli K-12 Host-Vector 1
Systems (EK1)
Appendix I-I-A-2........... Other
Host-Vector 1 Systems
Appendix I-I-B.............. Host-Vector
2 Systems (EK2)
Appendix I-II................ Certification
of Host-Vector Systems
Appendix I-II-A............. Responsibility
Appendix I-II-B............. Data
to be Submitted for Certification
Appendix I-II-B-1.......... Host-Vector
1 Systems Other than Escherichia coli K-12
Appendix I-II-B-2.......... Host-Vector
2 Systems
Appendix I-III............... Footnotes
and References of Appendix I
APPENDIX
J.................... BIOTECHNOLOGY
RESEARCH SUBCOMMITTEE
Appendix K-I................ Selection
of Physical Containment Levels
Appendix K-II............... Good
Large Scale Practice (GLSP)
Appendix K-III.............. Biosafety
Level 1 (BL1) - Large Scale
Appendix K-IV.............. Biosafety
Level 2 (BL2) - Large Scale
Appendix K-V............... Biosafety
Level 3 (BL3) - Large Scale
Appendix K-VI.............. Footnotes
of Appendix K
Appendix K-VII............. Definitions
to Accompany Containment Grid and Appendix K
Appendix L-I. ............... General
Plant Biosafety Levels
Appendix L-II............... Physical
Containment Levels
Appendix L-II-A............ Biosafety
Level 1 - Plants (BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-1......... Standard
Practices (BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-1-a...... Greenhouse
Access (BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-1-b...... Records
(BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-1-c...... Decontamination
and Inactivation (BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-1-d...... Control
of Undesired Species and Motile Macroorganisms (BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-1-e...... Concurrent
Experiments Conducted in the Greenhouse (BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-2......... Facilities
(BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-2-a...... Definitions
(BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-A-2-b...... Greenhouse
Design (BL1-P)
Appendix L-II-B............ Biosafety
Level 2 - Plants (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1......... Standard
Practices (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1-a...... Greenhouse
Access (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1-b...... Records
(BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1-c...... Decontamination
and Inactivation (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1-d...... Control
of Undesired Species and Motile Macroorganisms (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1-e...... Concurrent
Experiments Conducted in the Greenhouse (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1-f....... Signs
(BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1-g...... Transfer
of Materials (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-1-h...... Greenhouse
Practices Manual (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-2......... Facilities
(BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-2-a...... Definitions
(BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-2-b...... Greenhouse
Design (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-2-c...... Autoclaves
(BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-2-d...... Supply
and Exhaust Air Ventilation Systems (BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-B-2-e...... Other
(BL2-P)
Appendix L-II-C............ Biosafety
Level 3 - Plants (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1......... Standard
Practices (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-a...... Greenhouse
Access (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-b...... Records
(BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-c...... Decontamination
and Inactivation (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-d...... Control
of Undesired Species and Motile Macroorganisms (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-e...... Concurrent
Experiments Conducted in the Greenhouse (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-f....... Signs
(BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-g...... Transfer
of Materials (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-h...... Greenhouse
Practices Manual (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-i....... Protective
Clothing (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-1-j....... Other
(BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-2......... Facilities
(BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-2-a...... Definitions
(BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-2-b...... Greenhouse
Design (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-2-c...... Autoclaves
(BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-2-d...... Supply
and Exhaust Air Ventilation Systems (BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-C-2-e...... Other
(BL3-P)
Appendix L-II-D............ Biosafety
Level 4 - Plants (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1......... Standard
Practices (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-a...... Greenhouse
Access (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-b...... Records
(BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-c...... Decontamination
and Inactivation (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-d...... Control
of Undesired Species and Motile Macroorganisms (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-e...... Concurrent
Experiments Conducted in the Greenhouse (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-f....... Signs
(BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-g...... Transfer
of Materials (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-h...... Greenhouse
Practices Manual (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-1-i....... Protective
Clothing (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-2......... Facilities
(BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-2-a...... Greenhouse
Design (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-2-b...... Autoclaves
(BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-2-c...... Supply
and Exhaust Air Ventilation Systems (BL4-P)
Appendix L-II-D-2-d...... Other
(BL4-P)
Appendix L-III.............. Biological
Containment Practices
Appendix L-III-A........... Biological
Containment Practices (Plants)
Appendix L-III-B........... Biological
Containment Practices (Microorganisms)
Appendix L-III-C........... Biological
Containment Practices (Macroorganisms)
Appendix M-I............... General
Considerations
Appendix M-I-A............ Containment
Levels
Appendix M-I-B............ Disposal
of Animals (BL1-N through BL4-N)
Appendix M-II.............. Physical
and Biological Containment Levels
Appendix M-II-A........... Biosafety
Level 1 - Animals (BL1-N)
Appendix M-II-A-1........ Standard
Practices (BL1-N)
Appendix M-II-A-1-a..... Animal
Facility Access (BL1-N)
Appendix M-II-A-1-b..... Other
(BL1-N)
Appendix M-II-A-2........ Animal
Facilities (BL1-N)
Appendix M-II-B-1........ Standard
Practices (BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-B-1-a..... Animal
Facility Access (BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-B-1-b..... Decontamination
and Inactivation (BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-B-1-c..... Signs
(BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-B-1-d..... Protective
Clothing (BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-B-1-e..... Records
(BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-B-1-f...... Transfer
of Materials (BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-B-1-g..... Other
(BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-B-2........ Animal
Facilities (BL2-N)
Appendix M-II-C-1........ Standard
Practices (BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-C-1-a..... Animal
Facility Access (BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-C-1-b..... Decontamination
and Inactivation (BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-C-1-c..... Signs
(BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-C-1-d..... Protective
Clothing (BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-C-1-e..... Records
(BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-C-1-f...... Transfer
of Materials (BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-C-1-g..... Other
(BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-C-2........ Animal
Facilities (BL3-N)
Appendix M-II-D-1........ Standard
Practices (BL4-N)
Appendix M-II-D-1-a..... Animal
Facility Access (BL4-N)
Appendix M-II-D-1-b..... Decontamination
and Inactivation (BL4-N)
Appendix M-II-D-1-c..... Signs
(BL4-N)
Appendix M-II-D-1-d..... Protective
Clothing (BL4-N)
Appendix M-II-D-1-e..... Records
(BL4-N)
Appendix M-II-D-1-f...... Transfer
of Materials (BL4-N)
Appendix M-II-D-1-g..... Other
(BL4-N)
Appendix M-II-D-2........ Animal
Facilities (BL4-N)
Appendix M-III............. Footnotes
and References for Appendix M
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LIST OF TABLES
Appendix B - Table 1. Basis
for the Classification of Biohazardous Agents by Risk Group
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The purpose of the NIH Guidelines is to specify the biosafety practices and containment principles for constructing and handling: (i) recombinant nucleic acid molecules, (ii) synthetic nucleic acid molecules, including those that are chemically or otherwise modified but can base pair with naturally occurring nucleic acid molecules, and (iii) cells, organisms, and viruses containing such molecules.
Section I-A-1. Any nucleic acid molecule experiment, which according to the NIH Guidelines requires approval by NIH, must be submitted to NIH or to another Federal agency that has jurisdiction for review and approval. Once approvals, or other applicable clearances, have been obtained from a Federal agency other than NIH (whether the experiment is referred to that agency by NIH or sent directly there by the submitter), the experiment may proceed without the necessity for NIH review or approval.
Section I-A-1-a. For experiments involving the deliberate transfer of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, or DNA or RNA derived from recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, into human research participants (human gene transfer), no human gene transfer experiment shall be initiated (see definition of initiation in Section I-E-4) until Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) approval (from the clinical trial site) has been obtained and all applicable regulatory authorization(s) and approvals have been obtained.
In the context of the NIH Guidelines, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids are defined as:
(i) molecules that a) are constructed by joining nucleic acid molecules and b) that can replicate in a living cell, i.e., recombinant nucleic acids;
(ii) nucleic acid molecules that are chemically or by other means synthesized or amplified, including those that are chemically or otherwise modified but can base pair with naturally occurring nucleic acid molecules, i.e., synthetic nucleic acids, or
(iii) molecules that result from the replication of those described in (i) or (ii) above.
Section I-C-1. The NIH Guidelines are applicable to:
Section I-C-1-a. All recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid research within the United States (U.S.) or its territories that is within the category of research described in either Section I-C-1-a-(1) or Section I-C-1-a-(2).
Section I-C-1-a-(1). Research that is conducted at or sponsored by an institution that receives any support for recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid research from NIH, including research performed directly by NIH. An individual who receives support for research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids must be associated with or sponsored by an institution that assumes the responsibilities assigned in the NIH Guidelines.
Section I-C-1-a-(2). Research that involves testing in humans of materials containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids developed with NIH funds, if the institution that developed those materials sponsors or participates in those projects. Participation includes research collaboration or contractual agreements, not mere provision of research materials.
Section I-C-1-b. All recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid research performed abroad that is within the category of research described in either Section I-C-1-b-(1) or Section I-C-1-b-(2).
Section I-C-1-b-(1).
Research supported by NIH funds.
Section I-C-1-b-(2). Research that involves testing in humans of materials containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids developed with NIH funds, if the institution that developed those materials sponsors or participates in those projects. Participation includes research collaboration or contractual agreements, not mere provision of research materials.
Section I-C-1-b-(3). If the host country has established rules for the conduct of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research, then the research must be in compliance with those rules. If the host country does not have such rules, the proposed research must be reviewed and approved by an NIH-approved Institutional Biosafety Committee or equivalent review body and accepted in writing by an appropriate national governmental authority of the host country. The safety practices that are employed abroad must be reasonably consistent with the NIH Guidelines.
As a condition for NIH funding of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research, institutions shall ensure that such research conducted at or sponsored by the institution, irrespective of the source of funding, shall comply with the NIH Guidelines.
Information concerning noncompliance with the NIH Guidelines may be brought forward by any person. It should be delivered to both NIH OSP and the relevant institution. The institution, generally through the Institutional Biosafety Committee, shall take appropriate action. The institution shall forward a complete report of the incident recommending any further action to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
In cases where NIH proposes to suspend, limit, or terminate financial assistance because of noncompliance with the NIH Guidelines, applicable DHHS and Public Health Service procedures shall govern.
The policies on compliance are as follows:
Section I-D-1. All NIH-funded projects involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules must comply with the NIH Guidelines. Non-compliance may result in: (i) suspension, limitation, or termination of financial assistance for the noncompliant NIH-funded research project and of NIH funds for other recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research at the institution, or (ii) a requirement for prior NIH approval of any or all recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule projects at the institution.
Section I-D-2. All non-NIH funded projects involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule conducted at or sponsored by an institution that receives NIH funds for projects involving such techniques must comply with the NIH Guidelines. Noncompliance may result in: (i) suspension, limitation, or termination of NIH funds for recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research at the institution, or (ii) a requirement for prior NIH approval of any or all recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule projects at the institution.
The following terms, which are used throughout the NIH Guidelines, are defined as follows:
Section I-E-1. An "institution" is any public or private entity (including Federal, state, and local government agencies).
Section I-E-2. An "Institutional Biosafety Committee" is a committee that: (i) meets the requirements for membership specified in Section IV-B-2, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and (ii) reviews, approves, and oversees projects in accordance with the responsibilities defined in Section IV-B-2, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
Section I-E-3. The "Office of Science Policy (OSP)" is the office within the NIH that is responsible for: (i) reviewing and coordinating all activities relating to the NIH Guidelines, and (ii) performing other duties as defined in Section IV-C-2, Office of Science Policy (OSP).
Section I-E-4. “Initiation” of research is the introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules into organisms, cells, or viruses.
Section I-E-5. The "NIH Director" is the Director of the National Institutes of Health, or any other officer or employee of NIH to whom authority has been delegated.
Section I-E-6. "Deliberate release" is defined as a planned introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-containing microorganisms, plants, or animals into the environment.
Section I-E-7. “Gene drive” is defined as a technology whereby a particular heritable element biases inheritance in its favor, resulting in the heritable element becoming more prevalent than predicted by Mendelian laws of inheritance in a population over successive generations.
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Risk assessment is ultimately a subjective process. The investigator must make an initial risk assessment based on the Risk Group (RG) of an agent (see Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard). Agents are classified into four Risk Groups (RGs) according to their relative pathogenicity for healthy adult humans by the following criteria: (1) Risk Group 1 (RG1) agents are not associated with disease in healthy adult humans. (2) Risk Group 2 (RG2) agents are associated with human disease which is rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available. (3) Risk Group 3 (RG3) agents are associated with serious or lethal human disease for which preventive or therapeutic interventions may be available. (4) Risk Group 4 (RG4) agents are likely to cause serious or lethal human disease for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are not usually available.
Classification of agents in Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, is based on the potential effect of a biological agent on a healthy human adult and does not account for instances in which an individual may have increased susceptibility to such agents, e.g., preexisting diseases, medications, compromised immunity, pregnancy or breast feeding (which may increase exposure of infants to some agents).
Personnel may need periodic medical surveillance to ascertain fitness to perform certain activities; they may also need to be offered prophylactic vaccines and boosters (see Section IV-B-1-f, Responsibilities of the Institution, General Information).
In deciding on the appropriate containment for an experiment, the first step is to assess the risk of the agent itself. Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, classifies agents into Risk Groups based on an assessment of their ability to cause disease in humans and the available treatments for such disease. Once the Risk Group of the agent is identified, this should be followed by a thorough consideration of how the agent is to be manipulated. Factors to be considered in determining the level of containment include agent factors such as: virulence, pathogenicity, infectious dose, environmental stability, route of spread, communicability, operations, quantity, availability of vaccine or treatment, and gene product effects such as toxicity, physiological activity, and allergenicity. Any strain that is known to be more hazardous than the parent (wild-type) strain should be considered for handling at a higher containment level. Certain attenuated strains or strains that have been demonstrated to have irreversibly lost known virulence factors may qualify for a reduction of the containment level compared to the Risk Group assigned to the parent strain (see Section V-B, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
While the starting point for the risk assessment is based on the identification of the Risk Group of the parent agent, as technology moves forward, it may be possible to develop an organism containing genetic sequences from multiple sources such that the parent agent may not be obvious. In such cases, the risk assessment should include at least two levels of analysis. The first involves a consideration of the Risk Groups of the source(s) of the sequences and the second involves an assessment of the functions that may be encoded by these sequences (e.g., virulence or transmissibility). It may be prudent to first consider the highest Risk Group classification of all agents that are the source of sequences included in the construct. Other factors to be considered include the percentage of the genome contributed by each parent agent and the predicted function or intended purpose of each contributing sequence. The initial assumption should be that all sequences will function as they did in the original host context.
The Principal Investigator and Institutional Biosafety Committee must also be cognizant that the combination of certain sequences in a new biological context may result in an organism whose risk profile could be higher than that of the contributing organisms or sequences. The synergistic function of these sequences may be one of the key attributes to consider in deciding whether a higher containment level is warranted, at least until further assessments can be carried out. A new biosafety risk may occur with an organism formed through combination of sequences from a number of organisms or due to the synergistic effect of combining transgenes that results in a new phenotype.
A final assessment of risk based on these considerations is then used to set the appropriate containment conditions for the experiment (see Section II-B, Containment). The appropriate containment level may be equivalent to the Risk Group classification of the agent or it may be raised or lowered as a result of the above considerations. The Institutional Biosafety Committee must approve the risk assessment and the biosafety containment level for recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid experiments described in Sections III-A, Experiments that Require NIH Director Approval and Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval, Before Initiation; III-B, Experiments that Require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval Before Initiation; III-C, Experiments Involving Human Gene Transfer that Require Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval Prior to Initiation; III-D, Experiments that Require Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval Before Initiation.
Research involving gene drive modified organisms may require risk assessments that incorporate a broader scope of considerations because of greater uncertainty of the technology and potential uncertainty of the impact of the newly modified organism. Specific attention must be paid to risks of an unintended release from the laboratory and the potential impact on humans, other populations of organisms, and the environment.
Considerations for conducting risk assessments for research involving gene drive modified organisms might include:
1)
The specific types of manipulations based on:
a)
Function or intended function of the
genetic/gene drive construct (i.e., a designed or engineered assembly of
sequences);
b)
Source of the genetic material (e.g., sequences
of transgenes) in the construct;
c)
The modifications to the construct;
d)
Whether it is possible to predict the
consequences of a construct, including the recognition of an unintended gene
drive (i.e., construct not specifically designed as a gene drive but
nonetheless having properties of a gene drive) and the possible consequences of
escape into the environment;
e)
The potential ability of the gene drive to
spread or persist in local populations;
2)
Options for approaches to risk mitigation for
specific types of risks in experiments or when dealing with a high degree of
uncertainty about risks;
3)
Considerations for implementing more stringent
containment measures until biosafety data are accrued to support lowering
containment.
Careful consideration should be given to the types of manipulation planned for some higher Risk Group agents. For example, the RG2 dengue viruses may be cultured under the Biosafety Level (BL) 2 containment (see Section II-B); however, when such agents are used for animal inoculation or transmission studies, a higher containment level is recommended. Similarly, RG3 agents such as Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis and yellow fever viruses should be handled at a higher containment level for animal inoculation and transmission experiments.
Individuals working with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) or other bloodborne pathogens should consult the applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation, 29 CFR 1910.1030, and OSHA publication 3127 (1996 revised). BL2 containment is recommended for activities involving all blood-contaminated clinical specimens, body fluids, and tissues from all humans, or from HIV- or HBV-infected or inoculated laboratory animals. Activities such as the production of research-laboratory scale quantities of HIV or other bloodborne pathogens, manipulating concentrated virus preparations, or conducting procedures that may produce droplets or aerosols, are performed in a BL2 facility using the additional practices and containment equipment recommended for BL3. Activities involving industrial scale volumes or preparations of concentrated HIV are conducted in a BL3 facility, or BL3 Large Scale if appropriate, using BL3 practices and containment equipment.
Exotic plant pathogens and animal pathogens of domestic livestock and poultry are restricted and may require special laboratory design, operation and containment features not addressed in Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (see Section V-C, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV). For information regarding the importation, possession, or use of these agents see Sections V-G and V-H, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV.
Effective biological safety programs have been operative in a variety of laboratories for many years. Considerable information already exists about the design of physical containment facilities and selection of laboratory procedures applicable to organisms carrying additional recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (see Section V-B, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV). The existing programs rely upon mechanisms that can be divided into two categories: (i) a set of standard practices that are generally used in microbiological laboratories; and (ii) special procedures, equipment, and laboratory installations that provide physical barriers that are applied in varying degrees according to the estimated biohazard. Four biosafety levels are described in Appendix G, Physical Containment. These biosafety levels consist of combinations of laboratory practices and techniques, safety equipment, and laboratory facilities appropriate for the operations performed and are based on the potential hazards imposed by the agents used and for the laboratory function and activity. Biosafety Level 4 provides the most stringent containment conditions, Biosafety Level 1 the least stringent.
Experiments involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules lend themselves to a third containment mechanism, namely, the application of highly specific biological barriers. Natural barriers exist that limit either: (i) the infectivity of a vector or vehicle (plasmid or virus) for specific hosts, or (ii) its dissemination and survival in the environment. Vectors, which provide the means for recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule and/or host cell replication, can be genetically designed to decrease, by many orders of magnitude, the probability of dissemination of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule outside the laboratory (see Appendix I, Biological Containment).
Since these three means of containment are complementary, different levels of containment can be established that apply various combinations of the physical and biological barriers along with a constant use of standard practices. Categories of containment are considered separately in order that such combinations can be conveniently expressed in the NIH Guidelines.
Physical containment conditions within laboratories, described in Appendix G, Physical Containment, may not always be appropriate for all organisms because of their physical size, the number of organisms needed for an experiment, or the particular growth requirements of the organism. Likewise, biological containment for microorganisms described in Appendix I, Biological Containment, may not be appropriate for all organisms, particularly higher eukaryotic organisms. However, significant information exists about the design of research facilities and experimental procedures that are applicable to organisms containing additional recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that are either integrated into the genome or into microorganisms associated with the higher organism as a symbiont, pathogen, or other relationship. This information describes facilities for physical containment of organisms used in non-traditional laboratory settings and special practices for limiting or excluding the unwanted establishment, transfer of genetic information, and dissemination of organisms beyond the intended location, based on both physical and biological containment principles. Research conducted in accordance with these conditions effectively confines the organism.
For research involving plants, four biosafety levels (BL1-P through BL4-P) are described in Appendix L, Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Plants. BL1-P is designed to provide a moderate level of containment for experiments for which there is convincing biological evidence that precludes the possibility of survival, transfer, or dissemination of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules into the environment, or in which there is no recognizable and predictable risk to the environment in the event of accidental release. BL2-P is designed to provide a greater level of containment for experiments involving plants and certain associated organisms in which there is a recognized possibility of survival, transmission, or dissemination of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule containing organisms, but the consequence of such an inadvertent release has a predictably minimal biological impact. BL3-P and BL4-P describe additional containment conditions for research with plants and certain pathogens and other organisms that require special containment because of their recognized potential for significant detrimental impact on managed or natural ecosystems. BL1-P relies upon accepted scientific practices for conducting research in most ordinary greenhouse or growth chamber facilities and incorporates accepted procedures for good pest control and cultural practices. BL1-P facilities and procedures provide a modified and protected environment for the propagation of plants and microorganisms associated with the plants and a degree of containment that adequately controls the potential for release of biologically viable plants, plant parts, and microorganisms associated with them. BL2-P and BL3-P rely upon accepted scientific practices for conducting research in greenhouses with organisms infecting or infesting plants in a manner that minimizes or prevents inadvertent contamination of plants within or surrounding the greenhouse. BL4-P describes facilities and practices known to provide containment of certain exotic plant pathogens.
For research involving animals, which are of a size or have growth requirements that preclude the use of conventional primary containment systems used for small laboratory animals, four biosafety levels (BL1-N through BL4-N) are described in Appendix M, Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Animals. BL1-N describes containment for animals that have been modified by stable introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, or DNA derived therefrom, into the germ-line (transgenic animals) and experiments involving viable recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified microorganisms and is designed to eliminate the possibility of sexual transmission of the modified genome or transmission of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-derived viruses known to be transmitted from animal parent to offspring only by sexual reproduction. Procedures, practices, and facilities follow classical methods of avoiding genetic exchange between animals. BL2-N describes containment which is used for transgenic animals associated with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-derived organisms and is designed to eliminate the possibility of vertical or horizontal transmission. Procedures, practices, and facilities follow classical methods of avoiding genetic exchange between animals or controlling arthropod transmission. BL3-N and BL4-N describe higher levels of containment for research with certain transgenic animals involving agents which pose recognized hazard.
In constructing the NIH Guidelines, it was necessary to define boundary conditions for the different levels of physical and biological containment and for the classes of experiments to which they apply. These definitions do not take into account all existing and anticipated information on special procedures that will allow particular experiments to be conducted under different conditions than indicated here without affecting risk. Individual investigators and Institutional Biosafety Committees are urged to devise simple and more effective containment procedures and to submit recommended changes in the NIH Guidelines to permit the use of these procedures.
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This section describes six categories of experiments involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules: (i) those that require NIH Director approval and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) approval before initiation (see Section III-A), (ii) those that require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation (see Section III-B), (iii) those that require Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation of human gene transfer (see Section III-C), (iv) those that require Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation (see Section III-D), (v) those that require Institutional Biosafety Committee notification simultaneous with initiation (see Section III-E), and (vi) those that are exempt from the NIH Guidelines (see Section III-F).
Note: If an experiment falls into Sections III-A, III-B, or III-C and one of the other sections, the rules pertaining to Sections III-A, III-B, or III-C shall be followed. If an experiment falls into Section III-F and into either Sections III-D or III-E as well, the experiment is considered exempt from the NIH Guidelines.
Any change in containment level, which is different from those specified in the NIH Guidelines, may not be initiated without the express approval of NIH OSP (see Section IV-C-1-b-(2) and its subsections, Minor Actions).
Experiments considered as Major Actions as defined in Section III-A-1-a under the NIH Guidelines cannot be initiated without submission of relevant information on the proposed experiment to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov, the publication of the proposal in the Federal Register for a minimum of 15 days of comment, and specific approval by NIH. The containment conditions or stipulation requirements for such experiments will be set by NIH at the time of approval. Such experiments require Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation. Specific experiments already approved are included in Appendix D, Major Actions Taken under the NIH Guidelines.
Section III-A-1-a. The deliberate transfer of a drug resistance trait to microorganisms that are not known to acquire the trait naturally (see Section V-B, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV), if such acquisition could compromise the ability to control disease agents in humans, veterinary medicine, or agriculture, will require NIH Director approval.
Consideration should be given as to whether the drug resistance trait to be used in the experiment would render that microorganism resistant to the primary drug available to and/or indicated for certain populations, for example children or pregnant women.
At the request of an Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP will make a determination regarding whether a specific experiment involving the deliberate transfer of a drug resistance trait falls under Section III-A-1-a and therefore requires NIH Director approval. An Institutional Biosafety Committee may also consult with NIH OSP regarding experiments that do not meet the requirements of Section III-A-1-a but nonetheless raise important public health issues.
Experiments in this category cannot be initiated without submission of relevant information on the proposed experiment to NIH OSP. The containment conditions for such experiments will be determined by NIH OSP in consultation with ad hoc experts. Such experiments require Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation (see Section IV-B-2-b-(1), Institutional Biosafety Committee).
Deliberate formation of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules containing genes for the biosynthesis of toxin molecules lethal for vertebrates at an LD50 of less than 100 nanograms per kilogram body weight (e.g., microbial toxins such as the botulinum toxins, tetanus toxin, diphtheria toxin, and Shigella dysenteriae neurotoxin). Specific approval has been given for the cloning in Escherichia coli K-12 of DNA containing genes coding for the biosynthesis of toxic molecules which are lethal to vertebrates at 100 nanograms to 100 micrograms per kilogram body weight. Specific experiments already approved under this section may be obtained from the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by submitting a request for this information to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Upon receipt and
review of an application from the investigator, NIH OSP may determine that a
proposed experiment is equivalent to an experiment that has previously been
approved by the NIH Director as a Major Action, including experiments approved
prior to implementation of these changes.
An experiment will only be considered equivalent if, as determined by NIH
OSP, there are no substantive differences and pertinent information has
not emerged since submission of the initial III-A-1-a experiment that would
change the biosafety and public health considerations for the proposed
experiments. If such a determination is made by NIH OSP, these experiments will not
require review and approval under Section III-A.
Human gene transfer is the deliberate transfer into human research
participants of either:
1)
Recombinant
nucleic acid molecules, or DNA or RNA derived from recombinant nucleic acid
molecules, or
2)
Synthetic nucleic
acid molecules, or DNA or RNA derived from synthetic nucleic acid molecules,
that meet any one of the following criteria:
a)
Contain more than
100 nucleotides; or
b)
Possess
biological properties that enable introduction of stable genetic modifications
into the genome (e.g., cis elements involved in integration, gene editing); or
c)
Have the
potential to replicate in a cell; or
d) Can be translated or transcribed.
Research cannot be initiated until Institutional Biosafety Committee and all other applicable institutional and regulatory authorization(s) and approvals have been obtained.
The deliberate transfer of
recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids into one human research participant,
conducted under a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated individual
patient expanded access Investigational New Drug (IND) or protocol, including
for emergency use, is not research subject to the NIH Guidelines and thus does not need to be submitted to an IBC for
review and approval.
Prior to the initiation of an experiment that falls into this category, the Principal Investigator must submit a registration document to the Institutional Biosafety Committee which contains the following information: (i) the source(s) of DNA; (ii) the nature of the inserted DNA sequences; (iii) the host(s) and vector(s) to be used; (iv) if an attempt will be made to obtain expression of a foreign gene, and if so, indicate the protein that will be produced; and (v) the containment conditions that will be implemented as specified in the NIH Guidelines. For experiments in this category, the registration document shall be dated, signed by the Principal Investigator, and filed with the Institutional Biosafety Committee. The Institutional Biosafety Committee shall review and approve all experiments in this category prior to their initiation. Requests to decrease the level of containment specified for experiments in this category will be considered by NIH (see Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(c), Minor Actions).
Section III-D-1-a. Experiments involving the introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules into Risk Group 2 agents will usually be conducted at Biosafety Level (BL) 2 containment. Experiments with such agents will usually be conducted with whole animals at BL2 or BL2-N (Animals) containment.
Section III-D-1-b. Experiments involving the introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules into Risk Group 3 agents will usually be conducted at BL3 containment. Experiments with such agents will usually be conducted with whole animals at BL3 or BL3-N containment.
Section III-D-1-c. Experiments involving the introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules into Risk Group 4 agents shall be conducted at BL4 containment. Experiments with such agents shall be conducted with whole animals at BL4 or BL4-N containment.
Section III-D-1-d. Containment conditions for experiments involving the introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules into restricted agents shall be set on a case-by-case basis following NIH OSP review. A U.S. Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) permit is required for work with plant or animal pathogens (see Section V-G and V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV). Experiments with such agents shall be conducted with whole animals at BL4 or BL4-N containment.
Section III-D-2-a. Experiments in which DNA from Risk Group 2 or Risk Group 3 agents (see Section II-A, Risk Assessment) is transferred into nonpathogenic prokaryotes or lower eukaryotes may be performed under BL2 containment. Experiments in which DNA from Risk Group 4 agents is transferred into nonpathogenic prokaryotes or lower eukaryotes may be performed under BL2 containment after demonstration that only a totally and irreversibly defective fraction of the agent's genome is present in a given recombinant. In the absence of such a demonstration, BL4 containment shall be used. The Institutional Biosafety Committee may approve the specific lowering of containment for particular experiments to BL1. Many experiments in this category are exempt from the NIH Guidelines (see Section III-F, Exempt Experiments). Experiments involving the formation of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules for certain genes coding for molecules toxic for vertebrates require NIH OSP approval (see Section III-B-1, Experiments Involving the Cloning of Toxin Molecules with LD50 of Less than 100 Nanograms Per Kilogram Body Weight) or shall be conducted under NIH specified conditions as described in Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates.
Section III-D-2-b. Containment conditions for experiments in which DNA from restricted agents is transferred into nonpathogenic prokaryotes or lower eukaryotes shall be determined by NIH OSP following a case-by-case review (see Section V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV). A U.S. Department of Agriculture permit is required for work with plant or animal pathogens (see Section V-G, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
Caution: The potential for reversion or generation of replication competent virus should be considered when generating or using defective viruses or vectors in the presence of helper systems (e.g., helper viruses, packaging cell lines, transient transfection systems, replicon systems). Special care should be used in the evaluation of containment levels for experiments which are likely to either enhance the pathogenicity (e.g., insertion of a host oncogene) or to extend the host range (e.g., introduction of novel control elements) of viral vectors under conditions that permit a productive infection. In such cases, serious consideration should be given to increasing physical containment by at least one level.
Note: Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules or nucleic acid molecules derived therefrom, which contain less than two-thirds of the genome of any eukaryotic virus (all viruses from a single Family (see Section V-J, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV) being considered identical (see Section V-K, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV)), are considered defective and may be used in the absence of helper under the conditions specified in Section III-E-1, Experiments Involving the Formation of Recombinant or Synthetic Molecules Containing No More than Two-Thirds of the Genome of any Eukaryotic Virus.
Section III-D-3-a. Experiments involving the use of infectious or defective Risk Group 2 viruses (see Appendix B-II, Risk Group 2 Agents) in the presence of a helper system may be conducted at BL2.
Section III-D-3-b. Experiments involving the use of infectious or defective Risk Group 3 viruses (see Appendix B-III-D, Risk Group 3 (RG3) - Viruses and Prions) in the presence of a helper system may be conducted at BL3.
Section III-D-3-c. Experiments involving the use of infectious or defective Risk Group 4 viruses (see Appendix B-IV-D, Risk Group 4 (RG4) - Viral Agents) in the presence of a helper system may be conducted at BL4.
Section III-D-3-d. Experiments involving the use of infectious or defective restricted poxviruses (see Sections V-A and V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV) in the presence of a helper system shall be determined on a case-by-case basis following NIH OSP review. A U.S. Department of Agriculture permit is required for work with plant or animal pathogens (see Section V-G, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
Section III-D-3-e. Experiments involving the use of infectious or defective viruses in the presence of a helper system which are not covered in Sections III-D-3-a through III-D-3-d may be conducted at BL1.
This section covers experiments involving deliberate transfer of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, DNA or RNA derived from recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, or recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified microorganisms into whole animals and experiments involving whole animals in which the animal's genome has been altered by recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, or nucleic acids derived therefrom, into the germ-line (transgenic animals). Experiments involving gene drive modified animals or experiments involving viable recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified microorganisms, except for viruses that are only vertically transmitted, may not be conducted at BL1-N containment. A minimum containment of BL2 or BL2-N is required (see Section III-D-8).
Caution - Special care should be used in the evaluation of containment conditions for some experiments with transgenic animals. For example, such experiments might lead to the creation of novel mechanisms (e.g., a gene drive; refer to Section III-D-8) or increased transmission of a recombinant pathogen or production of undesirable traits in the host animal. In such cases, serious consideration should be given to increasing the containment conditions.
Section III-D-4-a. Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, or DNA or RNA molecules derived therefrom, from any source except for greater than two-thirds of eukaryotic viral genome may be transferred to any non-human vertebrate or any invertebrate organism and propagated under conditions of physical containment comparable to BL1 or BL1-N and appropriate to the organism under study (see Section V-B, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV). Animals that contain sequences from viral vectors, which do not lead to transmissible infection either directly or indirectly as a result of complementation or recombination in animals, may be propagated under conditions of physical containment comparable to BL1 or BL1-N and appropriate to the organism under study. Experiments involving the introduction of other sequences from eukaryotic viral genomes into animals are covered under Section III-D-4-b, Experiments Involving Whole Animals. For experiments involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified Risk Groups 2, 3, 4, or restricted organisms, see Sections V-A, V-G, and V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV. It is important that the investigator demonstrate that the fraction of the viral genome being utilized does not lead to productive infection. A U.S. Department of Agriculture permit is required for work with plant or animal pathogens (see Section V-G, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
Section III-D-4-b. For experiments involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, or DNA or RNA derived therefrom, involving whole animals, including transgenic animals, and not covered by Section III-D-1, Experiments Using Human or Animal Pathogens (Risk Group 2, Risk Group 3, Risk Group 4, or Restricted Agents as Host-Vector Systems), or Section III-D-4-a, the appropriate containment shall be determined by the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Experiments involving gene drive modified animals generated by recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be conducted at a minimum of BL2 or BL2-N (see Section III-D-8).
Section III-D-4-c. Exceptions under Section III-D-4, Experiments Involving Whole Animals
Section III-D-4-c-(1). Experiments involving the generation of transgenic rodents that require BL1 containment are described under Section III-E-3, Experiments Involving Transgenic Rodents.
Section III-D-4-c-(2). The purchase or transfer of transgenic rodents is exempt from the NIH Guidelines under Section III-F, Exempt Experiments (see Appendix C-VII, The Purchase or Transfer of Transgenic Rodents).
Section III-D-4-c-(3). Experiments involving the generation or use of gene drive modified animals require a minimum of BL2 containment and are covered under III-D-8, Experiments Involving Gene Drive Modified Organisms.
Experiments to genetically engineer plants by recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule methods, to use such plants for other experimental purposes (e.g., response to stress), to propagate such plants, or to use plants together with microorganisms or insects containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, may be conducted under the containment conditions described in Sections III-D-5-a through III-D-5-e. If experiments involving whole plants are not described in Section III-D-5 and do not fall under Sections III-A, III-B, III-D or III-F, they are included in Section III-E. Experiments involving the generation or use of gene drive modified organisms require a minimum of BL2 containment and are described under Section III-D-8, Experiments Involving Gene Drive Modified Organisms.
NOTE - For recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule experiments falling under Sections III-D-5-a through III-D-5-d, physical containment requirements may be reduced to the next lower level by appropriate biological containment practices, such as conducting experiments on a virus with an obligate insect vector in the absence of that vector or using a genetically attenuated strain.
Section III-D-5-a. BL3-P (Plants) or BL2-P + biological containment is recommended for experiments involving most exotic (see Section V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV) infectious agents with recognized potential for serious detrimental impact on managed or natural ecosystems when recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule techniques are associated with whole plants.
Section III-D-5-b. BL3-P or BL2-P + biological containment is recommended for experiments involving plants containing cloned genomes of readily transmissible exotic (see Section V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV) infectious agents with recognized potential for serious detrimental effects on managed or natural ecosystems in which there exists the possibility of reconstituting the complete and functional genome of the infectious agent by genomic complementation in planta.
Section III-D-5-c. BL4-P containment is recommended for experiments with a small number of readily transmissible exotic (see Section V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV) infectious agents, such as the soybean rust fungus (Phakospora pachyrhizi) and maize streak or other viruses in the presence of their specific arthropod vectors, that have the potential of being serious pathogens of major U.S. crops.
Section III-D-5-d. BL3-P containment is recommended for experiments involving sequences encoding potent vertebrate toxins introduced into plants or associated organisms. Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules containing genes for the biosynthesis of toxin molecules lethal for vertebrates at an LD50 of <100 nanograms per kilogram body weight fall under Section III-B-1, Experiments Involving the Cloning of Toxin Molecules with LD50 of Less than 100 Nanograms Per Kilogram Body Weight, and require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation.
Section III-D-5-e. BL3-P or BL2-P + biological containment is recommended for experiments with microbial pathogens of insects or small animals associated with plants if the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified organism has a recognized potential for serious detrimental impact on managed or natural ecosystems.
The appropriate containment will be decided by the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Where appropriate, Appendix K, Physical Containment for Large Scale Uses of Organisms Containing Recombinant or Synthetic Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid Molecules, shall be used. Appendix K describes containment conditions Good Large Scale Practice through BL3-Large Scale.
Experiments with influenza viruses generated by recombinant or synthetic methods (e.g., generation by reverse genetics of chimeric viruses with reassorted segments, introduction of specific mutations) shall be conducted at the biosafety level containment corresponding to the Risk Group of the virus that was the source of the majority of segments in the recombinant or synthetic virus (e.g., experiments with viruses containing a majority of segments from a RG3 virus shall be conducted at BL3). Experiments with influenza viruses containing genes or segments from 1918-1919 H1N1 (1918 H1N1), human H2N2 (1957-1968) and highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 strains within the Goose/Guangdong/96-like H5 lineage (HPAI H5N1), including, but not limited to, strains of HPAI H5N1 virus that are transmissible among mammals by respiratory droplets, as demonstrated in an appropriate animal model or clinically in humans (hereinafter referred to as mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus), shall be conducted at BL3 enhanced containment (see Appendix G-II-C-5, Biosafety Level 3 Enhanced for Research Involving Risk Group 3 Influenza Viruses) unless indicated below.
Section III-D-7-a. Human H2N2 (1957-1968). Experiments with influenza viruses containing the H2 hemagglutinin (HA) segment shall be conducted at BL3 enhanced (see Appendix G-II-C-5, Biosafety Level 3 Enhanced for Research Involving Risk Group 3 Influenza Viruses). Experiments with the H2 HA gene in cold-adapted, live attenuated vaccine strains (e.g., A/Ann Arbor/6/60 H2N2) may be conducted at BL2 containment provided segments with mutations conferring temperature sensitivity and attenuation are not altered in the recombinant or synthetic virus. Experiments with Risk Group 2 influenza viruses containing genes from human H2N2 other than the HA gene can be worked on at BL2.
Section III-D-7-b. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 strains within the Goose/Guangdong/96-like H5 lineage (HPAI H5N1). Experiments involving influenza viruses containing a majority of genes and/or segments from a HPAI H5N1 influenza virus shall be conducted at BL3 enhanced containment, (see Appendix G-II-C-5, Biosafety Level 3 Enhanced for Research Involving Risk Group 3 Influenza Viruses). Experiments involving influenza viruses containing a minority of genes and/or segments from a HPAI H5N1 influenza virus shall be conducted at BL3 enhanced unless a risk assessment performed by the IBC determines that they can be conducted safely at biosafety level 2 and after they have been excluded pursuant to 9 CFR 121.3(e). NIH OSP is available to IBCs to provide consultation with influenza virus experts when risk assessments are being made to determine the appropriate biocontainment for experiments with influenza viruses containing a minority of gene/segments from HPAI H5N1. Such experiments may be performed at BL3 enhanced containment or containment may be lowered to biosafety level 2, the level of containment for most research with other influenza viruses. (USDA/APHIS regulations and decisions on lowering containment also apply.) In deciding to lower containment, the IBC should consider whether, in at least two animal models (e.g., ferret, mouse, Syrian golden hamster, cotton rat, non-human primates), there is evidence that the resulting influenza virus shows reduced replication and virulence compared to the parental RG3 virus at relevant doses. This should be determined by measuring biological indices appropriate for the specific animal model (e.g., severe weight loss, elevated temperature, mortality or neurological symptoms).
Section III-D-7-c. 1918 H1N1. Experiments involving influenza viruses containing any gene or segment from 1918 H1N1 shall be conducted at BL3 enhanced containment (see Appendix G-II-C-5, Biosafety Level 3 Enhanced for Research Involving Risk Group 3 Influenza Viruses).
Section III-D-7-d. Antiviral Susceptibility and Containment. The availability of antiviral drugs as preventive and therapeutic measures is an important safeguard for experiments with 1918 H1N1, HPAI H5N1, and human H2N2 (1957-1968). If an influenza virus containing genes from one of these viruses is resistant to both classes of current antiviral agents, adamantanes and neuraminidase inhibitors, higher containment may be required based on the risk assessment considering transmissibility to humans, virulence, pandemic potential, alternative antiviral agents if available, etc.
Experiments with 1918 H1N1, human H2N2 (1957-1968) or HPAI H5N1 that are designed to create resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors or other effective antiviral agents (including investigational antiviral agents being developed for influenza) would be subject to Section III-A-1 (Major Actions). As per Section I-A-1 of the NIH Guidelines, if the agent is a Select Agent, the NIH will defer to the appropriate Federal agency (HHS or USDA Select Agent Divisions) on such experiments.
Experiments involving gene drive modified organisms generated by recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be conducted at a minimum of Biosafety Level (BL) 2, BL2-N (Animals) or BL2-P (plant) containment.
Experiments not included in Sections III-A, III-B, III-C, III-D, III-F, and their subsections are considered in Section III-E. All such experiments may be conducted at BL1 containment. For experiments in this category, a registration document (see Section III-D, Experiments that Require Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval Before Initiation) shall be dated and signed by the investigator and filed with the local Institutional Biosafety Committee at the time the experiment is initiated. The Institutional Biosafety Committee reviews and approves all such proposals, but Institutional Biosafety Committee review and approval prior to initiation of the experiment is not required (see Section IV-A, Policy). For example, experiments in which all components derived from non-pathogenic prokaryotes and non-pathogenic lower eukaryotes fall under Section III-E and may be conducted at BL1 containment.
Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules containing no more than two-thirds of the genome of any eukaryotic virus (all viruses from a single Family being considered identical [see Section V-J, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV]) may be propagated and maintained in cells in tissue culture using BL1 containment. For such experiments, it must be demonstrated that the cells lack a helper system for the specific Families of defective viruses being used. If a helper system is present, procedures specified under Section III-D-3, Experiments Involving the Use of Infectious Animal or Plant DNA or RNA Viruses or Defective Animal or Plant DNA or RNA Viruses in the Presence of a Helper System in Tissue Culture Systems, should be used. The DNA may contain fragments of the genome of viruses from more than one Family but each fragment shall be less than two-thirds of a genome.
This section covers experiments involving nucleic acid molecule-modified whole plants, and/or experiments involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified organisms associated with whole plants, except those that fall under Section III-A, III-B, III-D, or III-F. It should be emphasized that knowledge of the organisms and judgment based on accepted scientific practices should be used in all cases in selecting the appropriate level of containment. For example, if the genetic modification has the objective of increasing pathogenicity or converting a non-pathogenic organism into a pathogen, then a higher level of containment may be appropriate depending on the organism, its mode of dissemination, and its target organisms. By contrast, a lower level of containment may be appropriate for small animals associated with many types of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified plants.
Section III-E-2-a. BL1-P is recommended for all experiments with recombinant or synthetic recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-containing plants and plant-associated microorganisms not covered in Section III-E-2-b or other sections of the NIH Guidelines. Examples of such experiments are those involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified plants that are not noxious weeds or that cannot interbreed with noxious weeds in the immediate geographic area, and experiments involving whole plants and recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified non-exotic (see Section V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV) microorganisms that have no recognized potential for rapid and widespread dissemination or for serious detrimental impact on managed or natural ecosystems (e.g., Rhizobium spp. and Agrobacterium spp.).
Section III-E-2-b. BL2-P or BL1-P + biological containment is recommended for the following experiments:
Section III-E-2-b-(1). Plants modified by recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that are noxious weeds or can interbreed with noxious weeds in the immediate geographic area.
Section III-E-2-b-(2). Plants in which the introduced DNA represents the complete genome of a non-exotic infectious agent (see Section V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
Section III-E-2-b-(3). Plants associated with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified non-exotic microorganisms that have a recognized potential for serious detrimental impact on managed or natural ecosystems (see Section V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
Section III-E-2-b-(4). Plants associated with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified exotic microorganisms that have no recognized potential for serious detrimental impact on managed or natural ecosystems (see Section V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
Section III-E-2-b-(5). Experiments with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified arthropods or small animals associated with plants, or with arthropods or small animals with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified microorganisms associated with them if the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified microorganisms have no recognized potential for serious detrimental impact on managed or natural ecosystems (see Section V-M, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
This section covers experiments involving the generation or use of rodents in which the animal's genome has been altered by stable introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, or nucleic acids derived therefrom, into the germ-line (transgenic rodents). Only experiments that require BL1 containment are covered under this section; experiments that require BL2, BL3, or BL4 containment are covered under Section III-D-4, Experiments Involving Whole Animals or Section III-D-8, Experiments Involving Gene Drive Modified Organisms.
Section III-E-3-a. Experiments involving the breeding of certain BL1 transgenic rodents are exempt under Section III-F, Exempt Experiments (See Appendix C-VIII, Generation of BL1 Transgenic Rodents via Breeding).
The following recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are exempt from the NIH Guidelines and registration with the Institutional Biosafety Committee is not required; however, other federal and state standards of biosafety may still apply to such research (for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/NIH publication Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories).
Section III-F-1. Those synthetic nucleic acids that: (1) can neither replicate nor generate nucleic acids that can replicate in any living cell (e.g., oligonucleotides or other synthetic nucleic acids that do not contain an origin of replication or contain elements known to interact with either DNA or RNA polymerase), and (2) are not designed to introduce a stable genetic modification, and (3) do not produce a toxin that is lethal for vertebrates at an LD50 of less than 100 nanograms per kilogram body weight. If a synthetic nucleic acid is deliberately transferred into one or more human research participants and meets the criteria of Section III-C, it is not exempt under this Section.
Section III-F-2. Those
that are not in organisms, cells, or viruses and that have not been modified or
manipulated (e.g., encapsulated into synthetic or natural vehicles) to render
them capable of penetrating cellular membranes.
Section III-F-3. Those that consist solely of the exact recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid sequence from a single source that exists contemporaneously in nature.
Section III-F-4. Those that consist entirely of nucleic acids from a prokaryotic host, including its indigenous plasmids or viruses when propagated only in that host (or a closely related strain of the same species), or when transferred to another host by well-established physiological means.
Section III-F-5. Those that consist entirely of nucleic acids from a eukaryotic host including its chloroplasts, mitochondria, or plasmids (but excluding viruses) when propagated only in that host (or a closely related strain of the same species).
Section III-F-6. Those that consist entirely of DNA segments from different species that exchange DNA by known physiological processes, though one or more of the segments may be a synthetic equivalent. A list of such exchangers will be prepared and periodically revised by the NIH Director after appropriate notice and opportunity for public comment (see Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(c), Major Actions). See Appendices A-I through A-VI, Exemptions under Section III-F-6--Sublists of Natural Exchangers, for a list of natural exchangers that are exempt from the NIH Guidelines.
Section III-F-7. Those genomic DNA molecules that have acquired a transposable element, provided the transposable element does not contain any recombinant and/or synthetic DNA.
Section III-F-8. Those that do not present a significant risk to health or the environment (see Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(c), Major Actions), as determined by the NIH Director following appropriate notice and opportunity for public comment. See Appendix C, Exemptions under Section III-F-8 for other classes of experiments which are exempt from the NIH Guidelines.
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The safe conduct of experiments involving recombinant or
synthetic nucleic acid molecules depends on the individual conducting such
activities. The NIH Guidelines
cannot anticipate every possible situation.
Motivation and good judgment are the key essentials to protection of
health and the environment. The NIH
Guidelines are intended to assist the institution, Institutional Biosafety
Committee, Biological Safety Officer, and the Principal Investigator in
determining safeguards that should be implemented. The NIH Guidelines will never be
complete or final since all conceivable experiments involving recombinant or
synthetic nucleic acid molecules cannot be foreseen. The
utilization of new genetic manipulation techniques may enable work previously
conducted using recombinant means to be accomplished faster, more efficiently,
or at larger scale. These techniques
have not yet yielded organisms that present safety concerns that fall outside
the current risk assessment framework used for recombinant nucleic acid
research. Nonetheless, an appropriate
risk assessment of experiments involving these techniques must be conducted taking into account the way these approaches may alter the
risk assessment. As new techniques
develop, the NIH Guidelines should be
periodically reviewed to determine whether and how such research should be
explicitly addressed.
It is the responsibility of the institution and those associated with it to adhere to the intent of the NIH Guidelines as well as to their specifics. Therefore, each institution (and the Institutional Biosafety Committee acting on its behalf) is responsible for ensuring that all research with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules conducted at or sponsored by that institution is conducted in compliance with the NIH Guidelines. The following roles and responsibilities constitute an administrative framework in which safety is an essential and integral part of research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Further clarifications and interpretations of roles and responsibilities will be issued by NIH as necessary.
Each institution conducting or sponsoring recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research which is covered by the NIH Guidelines is responsible for ensuring that the research is conducted in full conformity with the provisions of the NIH Guidelines. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the institution shall:
Section IV-B-1-a. Establish and implement policies that provide for the safe conduct of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research and that ensure compliance with the NIH Guidelines. As part of its general responsibilities for implementing the NIH Guidelines, the institution may establish additional procedures, as deemed necessary, to govern the institution and its components in the discharge of its responsibilities under the NIH Guidelines. Such procedures may include: (i) statements formulated by the institution for the general implementation of the NIH Guidelines, and (ii) any additional precautionary steps the institution deems appropriate.
Section IV-B-1-b. Establish an Institutional Biosafety Committee that meets the requirements set forth in Section IV-B-2-a and carries out the functions detailed in Section IV-B-2-b.
Section IV-B-1-c. Appoint a Biological Safety Officer (who is also a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee) if the institution: (i) conducts recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research at Biosafety Level (BL) 3 or BL4, (ii) engages in large-scale (greater than 10 liters) research or (iii) conducts any research involving gene drive modified organisms, which all must be conducted at BL2 or higher containment. The Biological Safety Officer carries out the duties specified in Section IV-B-3.
Section IV-B-1-d. Appoint at least one individual with expertise in plant, plant pathogen, or plant pest containment principles (who is a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee) if the institution conducts recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research that requires Institutional Biosafety Committee approval in accordance with Appendix L, Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Plants.
Section IV-B-1-e. Appoint at least one individual with expertise in animal containment principles (who is a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee) if the institution conducts recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research that requires Institutional Biosafety Committee approval in accordance with Appendix M, Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Animals.
Section IV-B-1-f. Ensure that when the institution participates in or sponsors recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research involving human participants: (i) the Institutional Biosafety Committee has adequate expertise and training (using ad hoc consultants as deemed necessary) and (ii) no human gene transfer experiment shall be initiated until Institutional Biosafety Committee approval has been obtained and all other applicable institutional and regulatory authorization(s) and approvals have been obtained. Institutional Biosafety Committee approval must be obtained from the clinical trial site.
Section IV-B-1-g. Assist and ensure compliance with the NIH Guidelines by Principal Investigators conducting research at the institution as specified in Section IV-B-7.
Section IV-B-1-h. Ensure appropriate training for the Institutional Biosafety Committee Chair and members, Biological Safety Officer and other containment experts (when applicable), Principal Investigators, and laboratory staff regarding laboratory safety and implementation of the NIH Guidelines. The Institutional Biosafety Committee Chair is responsible for ensuring that Institutional Biosafety Committee members are appropriately trained. The Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring that laboratory staff are appropriately trained. The institution is responsible for ensuring that the Principal Investigator has sufficient training; however, this responsibility may be delegated to the Institutional Biosafety Committee.
Section IV-B-1-i. Determine the necessity for health surveillance of personnel involved in connection with individual recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule projects; and if appropriate, conduct a health surveillance program for such projects. The institution shall establish and maintain a health surveillance program for personnel engaged in large-scale research or production activities involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules which require BL3 containment at the laboratory scale. The institution shall establish and maintain a health surveillance program for personnel engaged in animal research involving viable recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-containing microorganisms that require BL3 or greater containment in the laboratory. The Laboratory Safety Monograph discusses various components of such a program (e.g., records of agents handled, active investigation of relevant illnesses, and the maintenance of serial serum samples for monitoring serologic changes that may result from the employees' work experience). Certain medical conditions may place a laboratory worker at increased risk in any endeavor where infectious agents are handled. Examples cited in the Laboratory Safety Monograph include gastrointestinal disorders and treatment with steroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or antibiotics. Workers with such disorders or treatment should be evaluated to determine whether they should be engaged in research with potentially hazardous organisms during their treatment or illness. Copies of the Laboratory Safety Monograph are available from the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by submitting a request for this information to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Section IV-B-1-j. Report any significant problems, violations of the NIH Guidelines, or any significant research-related accidents and illnesses to NIH OSP within thirty days, unless the institution determines that a report has already been filed by the Principal Investigator or Institutional Biosafety Committee. Reports shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
The institution shall establish an Institutional Biosafety Committee whose responsibilities need not be restricted to recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research. The Institutional Biosafety Committee shall meet the following requirements:
Section IV-B-2-a-(1). The Institutional Biosafety Committee must comprise no fewer than five members so selected that they collectively have experience and expertise in recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule technology and the capability to assess the safety of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research and to identify any potential risk to public health or the environment. At least two members shall not be affiliated with the institution (apart from their membership on the Institutional Biosafety Committee) and who represent the interest of the surrounding community with respect to health and protection of the environment (e.g., officials of state or local public health or environmental protection agencies, members of other local governmental bodies, or persons active in medical, occupational health, or environmental concerns in the community). The Institutional Biosafety Committee shall include at least one individual with expertise in plant, plant pathogen, or plant pest containment principles when experiments utilizing Appendix L, Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Plants, require prior approval by the Institutional Biosafety Committee. The Institutional Biosafety Committee shall include at least one scientist with expertise in animal containment principles when experiments utilizing Appendix M, Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Animals, require Institutional Biosafety Committee prior approval. When the institution conducts research involving gene drive modified organisms the institution must ensure that the Institutional Biosafety Committee has adequate expertise (e.g., specific species containment, ecological or environmental risk assessment) using ad hoc consultants if necessary. When the institution conducts recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research at BL3, BL4, or Large Scale (greater than 10 liters) or research involving gene drive modified organisms, a Biological Safety Officer is mandatory and shall be a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (see Section IV-B-3, Biological Safety Officer). When the institution conducts research with gene drive modified organisms, the impact on ecosystems should be assessed by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (see Section V-N, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV). When the institution participates in or sponsors recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research involving human research participants, the institution must ensure that the Institutional Biosafety Committee has adequate expertise and training (using ad hoc consultants if necessary). Institutional Biosafety Committee approval must be obtained from the clinical trial site.
Note: Individuals, corporations, and institutions not otherwise covered by the NIH Guidelines, are encouraged to adhere to the standards and procedures set forth in Sections I through IV (see Section IV-D, Voluntary Compliance. The policy and procedures for establishing an Institutional Biosafety Committee under Voluntary Compliance, are specified in Section IV-D-2, Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval).
Section IV-B-2-a-(2). In order to ensure the competence necessary to review and approve recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule activities, it is recommended that the Institutional Biosafety Committee: (i) include persons with expertise in recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule technology, biological safety, and physical containment; (ii) include or have available as consultants persons knowledgeable in institutional commitments and policies, applicable law, standards of professional conduct and practice, community attitudes, and the environment, and (iii) include at least one member representing the laboratory technical staff.
Section IV-B-2-a-(3). The institution shall file an annual report with NIH OSP which includes: (i) a roster of all Institutional Biosafety Committee members clearly indicating the Chair, contact person, Biological Safety Officer (if applicable), plant expert (if applicable), animal expert (if applicable), human gene therapy expertise or ad hoc consultant (if applicable); and (ii) biographical sketches of all Institutional Biosafety Committee members (including community members).
Section IV-B-2-a-(4). No member of an Institutional Biosafety Committee may be involved (except to provide information requested by the Institutional Biosafety Committee) in the review or approval of a project in which he/she has been or expects to be engaged or has a direct financial interest.
Section IV-B-2-a-(5). The institution, that is ultimately responsible for the effectiveness of the Institutional Biosafety Committee, may establish procedures that the Institutional Biosafety Committee shall follow in its initial and continuing review and approval of applications, proposals, and activities.
Section IV-B-2-a-(6). When possible and consistent with protection of privacy and proprietary interests, the institution is encouraged to open its Institutional Biosafety Committee meetings to the public.
Section IV-B-2-a-(7). Upon request, the institution shall make available to the public all Institutional Biosafety Committee meeting minutes and any documents submitted to or received from funding agencies which the latter are required to make available to the public. If public comments are made on Institutional Biosafety Committee actions, the institution shall forward both the public comments and the Institutional Biosafety Committee's response to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
On behalf of the institution, the Institutional Biosafety Committee is responsible for:
Section IV-B-2-b-(1).
Reviewing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research
conducted at or sponsored by the institution for compliance with the NIH
Guidelines as specified in Section III,
Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines, and approving those research
projects that are found to conform with the NIH Guidelines. This review shall include: (i)
independent assessment of the containment levels required by the NIH Guidelines
for the proposed research; (ii) assessment of the facilities, procedures,
practices, and training and expertise of personnel involved in recombinant or
synthetic nucleic acid molecule research; (iii) for recombinant or synthetic
nucleic acid molecule research involving human research participants assessment
focused on biosafety issues (e.g., administration, shedding). IBC oversight may conclude after the last
participant is administered the final dose of product. However, IBCs may choose
to establish other end points for oversight, based on their biosafety
assessment of the proposed research.
Section IV-B-2-b-(2). Notifying the Principal Investigator of the results of the Institutional Biosafety Committee's review and approval.
Section IV-B-2-b-(3). Lowering containment levels for certain experiments as specified in Section III-D-2-a, Experiments in which DNA from Risk Group 2, Risk Group 3, Risk Group 4, or Restricted Agents is Cloned into Nonpathogenic Prokaryotic or Lower Eukaryotic Host-Vector Systems.
Section IV-B-2-b-(4). Setting containment levels as specified in Sections III-D-4-b, Experiments Involving Whole Animals, and III-D-5, Experiments Involving Whole Plants.
Section IV-B-2-b-(5). Periodically reviewing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research conducted at the institution to ensure compliance with the NIH Guidelines.
Section IV-B-2-b-(6). Adopting emergency plans covering accidental spills and personnel contamination resulting from recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research.
Note: The Laboratory Safety Monograph describes basic elements for developing specific procedures dealing with major spills of potentially hazardous materials in the laboratory, including information and references about decontamination and emergency plans. The NIH and the CDC are available to provide consultation and direct assistance, if necessary, as posted in the Laboratory Safety Monograph. The institution shall cooperate with the state and local public health departments by reporting any significant research-related illness or accident that may be hazardous to the public health.
Section IV-B-2-b-(7). Reporting any significant problems with or violations of the NIH Guidelines and any significant research-related accidents or illnesses to the appropriate institutional official and NIH OSP within 30 days, unless the Institutional Biosafety Committee determines that a report has already been filed by the Principal Investigator. Reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Section IV-B-2-b-(8). The Institutional Biosafety Committee may not authorize initiation of experiments which are not explicitly covered by the NIH Guidelines until NIH establishes the containment requirement.
Section IV-B-2-b-(9). Performing such other functions as may be delegated to the Institutional Biosafety Committee under Section IV-B-2, Institutional Biosafety Committee.
Section IV-B-3-a. The institution shall appoint a Biological Safety Officer if it engages in large-scale research or production activities involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. The Biological Safety Officer shall be a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee.
Section IV-B-3-b. The institution shall appoint a Biological Safety Officer if it engages in recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research at BL3 or BL4. The Biological Safety Officer shall be a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee.
Section IV-B-3-c. The institution shall appoint a Biological Safety Officer if it engages in recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research that involves gene drive modified organisms. The Biological Safety Officer shall be a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee.
Section IV-B-3-d. The Biological Safety Officer's duties include, but are not limited to:
Section IV-B-3-d-(1). Periodic inspections to ensure that laboratory standards are rigorously followed;
Section IV-B-3-d-(2). Reporting to the Institutional Biosafety Committee and the institution any significant problems, violations of the NIH Guidelines, and any significant research-related accidents or illnesses of which the Biological Safety Officer becomes aware unless the Biological Safety Officer determines that a report has already been filed by the Principal Investigator;
Section IV-B-3-d-(3). Developing emergency plans for handling accidental spills and personnel contamination and investigating laboratory accidents involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research;
Section IV-B-3-d-(4). Providing advice on laboratory security;
Section IV-B-3-d-(5). Providing technical advice to Principal Investigators and the Institutional Biosafety Committee on research safety procedures.
Note: See the Laboratory Safety Monograph for additional information on the duties of the Biological Safety Officer.
When the institution conducts recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research that requires Institutional Biosafety Committee approval in accordance with Appendix L, Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Plants, the institution shall appoint at least one individual with expertise in plant, plant pathogen, or plant pest containment principles (who is a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee).
When the institution conducts recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research that requires Institutional Biosafety Committee approval in accordance with Appendix M, Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Animals, the institution shall appoint at least one individual with expertise in animal containment principles (who is a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee).
When the institution participates in or sponsors recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research involving human subjects, the institution must ensure that the Institutional Biosafety Committee has adequate expertise and training (using ad hoc consultants as deemed necessary).
On behalf of the institution, the Principal Investigator is responsible
for full compliance with the NIH Guidelines in the conduct of
recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research.
As part of this general responsibility, the Principal Investigator shall:
Section IV-B-7-a-(1). Initiate or modify no recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research which requires Institutional Biosafety Committee approval prior to initiation (see Sections III-A, III-B, III-C, III-D, and III-E, Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines) until that research or the proposed modification thereof has been approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee and has met all other requirements of the NIH Guidelines;
Section IV-B-7-a-(2). Determine whether experiments are covered by Section III-E, Experiments that Require Institutional Biosafety Committee Notice Simultaneous with Initiation, and ensure that the appropriate procedures are followed;
Section IV-B-7-a-(3). Report any significant problems, violations of the NIH Guidelines, or any significant research-related accidents and illnesses to the Biological Safety Officer (where applicable), Greenhouse/Animal Facility Director (where applicable), Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities (if applicable) within 30 days. Reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Section IV-B-7-a-(4). Report any new information bearing on the NIH Guidelines to the Institutional Biosafety Committee and to NIH OSP (reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Section IV-B-7-a-(5). Be adequately trained in good microbiological techniques;
Section IV-B-7-a-(6). Adhere to Institutional Biosafety Committee approved emergency plans for handling accidental spills and personnel contamination; and
Section IV-B-7-a-(7). Comply with shipping requirements for recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (see Appendix H, Shipment, for shipping requirements and the Laboratory Safety Monograph for technical recommendations).
The Principal Investigator shall:
Section IV-B-7-b-(1). Submit information to NIH OSP for certification of new host-vector systems;
Section IV-B-7-b-(2). Petition NIH OSP, with notice to the Institutional Biosafety Committee, for proposed exemptions to the NIH Guidelines;
Section IV-B-7-b-(3). Petition NIH OSP, with concurrence of the Institutional Biosafety Committee, for approval to conduct experiments specified in Sections III-A-1, Major Actions Under the NIH Guidelines, and III-B, Experiments that Require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval Before Initiation;
Section IV-B-7-b-(4). Petition NIH OSP for determination of containment for experiments requiring case-by-case review; and
Section IV-B-7-b-(5). Petition NIH OSP for determination of containment for experiments not covered by the NIH Guidelines.
The Principal Investigator shall:
Section IV-B-7-c-(1). Make an initial determination of the required levels of physical and biological containment in accordance with the NIH Guidelines;
Section IV-B-7-c-(2). Select appropriate microbiological practices and laboratory techniques to be used for the research;
Section IV-B-7-c-(3). Submit the initial research protocol and any subsequent changes (e.g., changes in the source of DNA or host-vector system), if covered under Sections III-A, III-B, III-C, III-D, or III-E (Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines), to the Institutional Biosafety Committee for review and approval or disapproval; and
Section IV-B-7-c-(4). Remain in communication with the Institutional Biosafety Committee throughout the conduct of the project.
The Principal Investigator shall:
Section IV-B-7-d-(1). Make available to all laboratory staff the protocols that describe the potential biohazards and the precautions to be taken;
Section IV-B-7-d-(2). Instruct and train laboratory staff in: (i) the practices and techniques required to ensure safety, and (ii) the procedures for dealing with accidents; and
Section IV-B-7-d-(3). Inform the laboratory staff of the reasons and provisions for any precautionary medical practices advised or requested (e.g., vaccinations or serum collection).
The Principal Investigator shall:
Section IV-B-7-e-(1). Supervise the safety performance of the laboratory staff to ensure that the required safety practices and techniques are employed;
Section IV-B-7-e-(2). Investigate and report any significant problems pertaining to the operation and implementation of containment practices and procedures in writing to the Biological Safety Officer (where applicable), Greenhouse/Animal Facility Director (where applicable), Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities (if applicable) (reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Section IV-B-7-e-(3). Correct work errors and conditions that may result in the release of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule materials; and
Section IV-B-7-e-(4). Ensure the integrity of the physical containment (e.g., biological safety cabinets) and the biological containment (e.g., purity and genotypic and phenotypic characteristics).
The NIH Director is responsible for: (i) establishing the NIH Guidelines, (ii) overseeing their implementation, and (iii) their final interpretation. The NIH Director has responsibilities under the NIH Guidelines that involve OSP. OSP's responsibilities under the NIH Guidelines are administrative. In certain circumstances, there is specific opportunity for public comment with published response prior to final action.
The NIH Director is responsible for:
Section IV-C-1-a-(1). Promulgating requirements as necessary to implement the NIH Guidelines;
Section IV-C-1-a-(2). Establishing and maintaining NIH OSP to carry out the responsibilities defined in Section IV-C-2, Office of Science Policy;
Section IV-C-1-a-(3). Conducting and supporting training programs in laboratory safety for Institutional Biosafety Committee members, Biological Safety Officers and other institutional experts (if applicable), Principal Investigators, and laboratory staff.
In carrying out the responsibilities set forth in this section, the NIH Director, or a designee shall weigh each proposed action through appropriate analysis and consultation to determine whether it complies with the NIH Guidelines and presents no significant risk to health or the environment.
To execute Major Actions, the NIH Director shall provide an opportunity for public and Federal agency comment. The NIH Director's decision/recommendation (at his/her discretion) may be published in the Federal Register for a minimum of 15 days of comment before final action is taken. The NIH Director's final decision/recommendation, along with responses to public comments, shall be published in the Federal Register. Institutional Biosafety Committee Chairs shall be notified of the following decisions:
Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(a). Changing containment levels for types of experiments that are specified in the NIH Guidelines when a Major Action is involved;
Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(b). Assigning containment levels for types of experiments that are not explicitly considered in the NIH Guidelines when a Major Action is involved;
Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(c). Promulgating and amending a list of classes of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules to be exempt from the NIH Guidelines because they consist entirely of DNA segments from species that exchange DNA by known physiological processes or otherwise do not present a significant risk to health or the environment;
Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(d). Permitting experiments specified by Section III-A, Experiments that Require NIH Director Approval and Institutional Biosafety Committee Approval Before Initiation;
Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(e). Certifying new host-vector systems with the exception of minor modifications (e.g., those of minimal or no consequence to the properties relevant to containment) of already certified systems (the standards and procedures for certification are described in Appendix I-II, Certification of Host-Vector Systems); and
Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(f). Adopting other changes in the NIH Guidelines.
NIH OSP shall carry out certain functions as delegated to it by the NIH Director (see Section IV-C-2, Office of Science Policy). Minor Actions will be transmitted to Institutional Biosafety Committee Chairs:
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(a). Changing containment levels for experiments that are specified in Section III, Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines (except when a Major Action is involved);
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(b). Assigning containment levels for experiments not explicitly considered in the NIH Guidelines;
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(c). Revising the Classification of Etiologic Agents for the purpose of these NIH Guidelines (see Section V-A, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV).
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(d). Interpreting the NIH Guidelines for experiments to which the NIH Guidelines do not specifically assign containment levels;
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(e). Setting containment under Sections III-D-1-d, Experiments Using Risk Group 2, Risk Group 3, Risk Group 4, or Restricted Agents as Host-Vector Systems, and III-D-2-b, Experiments in which DNA from Risk Group 2, Risk Group 3, Risk Group 4, or Restricted Agents is Cloned into Nonpathogenic Prokaryotic or Lower Eukaryotic Host-Vector Systems;
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(f). Approving minor modifications of already certified host-vector systems (the standards and procedures for such modifications are described in Appendix I-II, Certification of Host-Vector Systems);
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(g). Decertifying already certified host-vector systems;
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(h). Adding new entries to the list of molecules toxic for vertebrates (see Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates); and
Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(i). Determining appropriate containment conditions for experiments according to case precedents developed under Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(c).
OSP shall serve as a focal point for information on recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule activities and provide advice to all within and outside NIH including institutions, Biological Safety Officers, Principal Investigators, Federal agencies, state and local governments, and institutions in the private sector. OSP shall carry out such other functions as may be delegated to it by the NIH Director. OSP's responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:
Section IV-C-2-a. Reviewing and approving experiments in conjunction with ad hoc experts involving the cloning of genes encoding for toxin molecules that are lethal for vertebrates at an LD50 of less than or equal to 100 nanograms per kilogram body weight in organisms other than Escherichia coli K-12 (see Section III-B-1, Experiments Involving the Cloning of Toxin Molecules with LD50 of Less than 100 Nanograms Per Kilogram Body Weight, Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates);
Section IV-C-2-b. Publishing in the Federal Register, as needed.
Section IV-C-2-c. Reviewing and approving the membership of an institution's Institutional Biosafety Committee, and where it finds the Institutional Biosafety Committee meets the requirements set forth in Section IV-B-2, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), giving its approval to the Institutional Biosafety Committee membership.
Other NIH components shall be responsible for certifying maximum containment (BL4) facilities, inspecting them periodically, and inspecting other recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule facilities as deemed necessary.
Individuals, corporations, and institutions not otherwise covered by the NIH Guidelines are encouraged to follow the standards and procedures set forth in Sections I through IV. In order to simplify discussion, references hereafter to “institutions” are intended to encompass corporations and individuals who have no organizational affiliation. For purposes of complying with the NIH Guidelines, an individual intending to carry out research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules is encouraged to affiliate with an institution that has an Institutional Biosafety Committee approved under the NIH Guidelines.
Since commercial organizations have special concerns, such as protection of proprietary data, some modifications and explanations of the procedures are provided in Sections IV-D-2 through IV-D-5-b, Voluntary Compliance, in order to address these concerns.
It should be emphasized that employment of an Institutional Biosafety Committee member solely for purposes of membership on the Institutional Biosafety Committee does not itself make the member an institutionally affiliated member. Except for the unaffiliated members, a member of an Institutional Biosafety Committee for an institution not otherwise covered by the NIH Guidelines may participate in the review and approval of a project in which the member has a direct financial interest so long as the member has not been, and does not expect to be, engaged in the project. Section IV-B-2-a-(4), Institutional Biosafety Committee, is modified to that extent for purposes of these institutions.
A host-vector system may be proposed for certification by the NIH Director in accordance with the procedures set forth in Appendix I-II, Certification of Host-Vector Systems. In order to ensure protection for proprietary data, any public notice regarding a host-vector system which is designated by the institution as proprietary under Section IV-D, Voluntary Compliance, will be issued only after consultation with the institution as to the content of the notice.
Requests for exemptions or other approvals as required by the NIH Guidelines should be submitted based on the procedures set forth in Sections I through IV. In order to ensure protection for proprietary data, any public notice regarding a request for an exemption or other approval which is designated by the institution as proprietary under Section IV-D-5-a, Voluntary Compliance, will be issued only after consultation with the institution as to the content of the notice.
In general, the Freedom of Information Act requires Federal agencies to make their records available to the public upon request. However, this requirement does not apply to, among other things, “trade secrets and commercial or financial information that is obtained from a person and that is privileged or confidential.” Under 18 U.S.C. 1905, it is a criminal offense for an officer or employee of the U.S. or any Federal department or agency to publish, divulge, disclose, or make known “in any manner or to any extent not authorized by law any information coming to him in the course of his employment or official duties or by reason of any examination or investigation made by, or return, report or record made to or filed with, such department or agency or officer or employee thereof, which information concerns or relates to the trade secrets, (or) processes...of any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or association.” This provision applies to all employees of the Federal Government, including special Government employees.
In submitting to NIH for purposes of voluntary compliance with the NIH Guidelines, an institution may designate those items of information which the institution believes constitute trade secrets, privileged, confidential, commercial, or financial information. If NIH receives a request under the Freedom of Information Act for information so designated, NIH will promptly contact the institution to secure its views as to whether the information (or some portion) should be released. If NIH decides to release this information (or some portion) in response to a Freedom of Information request or otherwise, the institution will be advised and the actual release will be delayed in accordance with 45 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 5.65(d) and (e).
Any institution not otherwise covered by the NIH Guidelines, which is considering submission of data or information voluntarily to NIH, may request pre-submission review of the records involved to determine if NIH will make all or part of the records available upon request under the Freedom of Information Act.
A request for pre-submission review should be submitted to NIH OSP along with the records involved to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). These records shall be clearly marked as being the property of the institution on loan to NIH solely for the purpose of making a determination under the Freedom of Information Act. NIH OSP will seek a determination from the responsible official under DHHS regulations (45 CFR Part 5) as to whether the records involved, (or some portion) will be made available to members of the public under the Freedom of Information Act. Pending such a determination, the records will be kept separate from NIH OSP files, will be considered records of the institution and not NIH OSP, and will not be received as part of NIH OSP files. No copies will be made of such records.
NIH OSP will inform the institution of the NIH Freedom of Information Officer's determination and follow the institution's instructions as to whether some or all of the records involved are to be returned to the institution or to become a part of NIH OSP files. If the institution instructs NIH OSP to return the records, no copies or summaries of the records will be made or retained by DHHS, NIH, or OSP. The NIH Freedom of Information Officer's determination will represent that official's judgment at the time of the determination as to whether the records involved (or some portion) would be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act if at the time of the determination the records were in NIH OSP files and a request was received for such files under the Freedom of Information Act.
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Section V-A. The NIH Director may revise the classification for the purposes of the NIH Guidelines (see Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(c), Minor Actions). The revised list of organisms in each Risk Group is reprinted in Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard.
Section V-B. Section III, Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines, describes a number of places where judgments are to be made. In all these cases, the Principal Investigator shall make the judgment on these matters as part of his/her responsibility to "make the initial determination of the required levels of physical and biological containment in accordance with the NIH Guidelines" (see Section IV-B-7-c-(1)). For cases falling under Sections III-A through III-E, Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines, this judgment is to be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee as part of its responsibility to make an "independent assessment of the containment levels required by the NIH Guidelines for the proposed research" (see Section IV-B-2-b-(1), Institutional Biosafety Committee). The Institutional Biosafety Committee may refer specific cases to NIH OSP as part of NIH OSP's functions to "provide advice to all within and outside NIH" (see Section IV-C-2).
Section V-C. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. Copies are available from: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20401-0001, Phone (202) 512-1800 [http://www.gpo.gov/].
Section V-D. Classification of Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, 4th Edition, July 1974, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, Office of Biosafety, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Section V-E. Chin, James ed., Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 17th Edition, 2000. ISBN: 087553-242-X, American Public Health Association, 800 I Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Phone: (202) 777-2742.
Section V-F. World Health Organization Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 2nd edition. 1993. WHO Albany, NY. Copies are available from: WHO Publication Centre, USA, (Q Corp) 49 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, New York 12210; Phone: (518) 436-9686 (Order # 1152213).
Section V-G. A U.S. Department of Agriculture permit, required for import and interstate transport of plant and animal pathogens, may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ATTN: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, National Center for Import-Export, Products Program, 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, Maryland 20737. Phone: (301) 734-8499; Fax: (301) 734-8226.
Section V-H. American Type Culture Collection Catalogues of plant viruses, animal viruses, cells, bacteria, fungi, etc. are available from American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110-2209. Phone: (703) 365-2700.
Section V-I. U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne Pathogens. See also, Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, OSHA 3127, 1996 (Revised).
Section V-J. As classified in the Virus Taxonomy: The Classification and Nomenclature of Viruses. The Seventh Report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, Academic Press, 2000 (0123702003) San Diego, CA.
Section V-K. i.e., the total of all genomes within a family shall not exceed two-thirds of the genome.
Section V-L. Organisms including alastrim, smallpox (variola) and whitepox may not be studied in the United States except at specified facilities. All activities, including storage of variola and whitepox, are restricted to the single national facility (World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Smallpox Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia).
Section V-M. In accordance with accepted scientific and regulatory practices of the discipline of plant pathology, an exotic plant pathogen (e.g., virus, bacteria, or fungus) is one that is unknown to occur within the U.S. (see Section V-G, Footnotes and References of Sections I-IV). Determination of whether a pathogen has a potential for serious detrimental impact on managed (agricultural, forest, grassland) or natural ecosystems should be made by the Principal Investigator and the Institutional Biosafety Committee, in consultation with scientists knowledgeable of plant diseases, crops, and ecosystems in the geographic area of the research.
Section V-N Determination of whether a gene drive modified organism has a potential for serious detrimental impact on managed (agricultural, forest, grassland) or natural ecosystems should be made by the Principal Investigator and the Institutional Biosafety Committee, in consultation with scientists knowledgeable of gene drive technology, and of the environment, and ecosystems in the geographic area of the research.
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Certain specified recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that consist entirely of DNA segments from different species that exchange DNA by known physiological processes, though one or more of the segments may be a synthetic equivalent are exempt from these NIH Guidelines (see Section III-F-6, Exempt Experiments). Institutional Biosafety Committee registration is not required for these exempt experiments. A list of such exchangers will be prepared and periodically revised by the NIH Director after appropriate notice and opportunity for public comment (see Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(c), NIH Director--Specific Responsibilities). For a list of natural exchangers that are exempt from the NIH Guidelines, see Appendices A-I through A-VI, Exemptions under Section III-F-6 Sublists of Natural Exchangers. Section III-F-6, Exempt Experiments, describes recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that are: (1) composed entirely of DNA segments from one or more of the organisms within a sublist, and (2) to be propagated in any of the organisms within a sublist (see Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology; 2nd edition, Springer-Verlag; New York, NY). Although these experiments are exempt, it is recommended that they be performed at the appropriate biosafety level for the host or recombinant/synthetic organism (see Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, U.S. DHHS, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health).
Genus Escherichia
Genus Shigella
Genus Salmonella - including Arizona
Genus Enterobacter
Genus Citrobacter - including Levinea
Genus Klebsiella - including oxytoca
Genus Erwinia
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas mendocina
Serratia marcescens
Yersinia enterocolitica
Bacillus subtilis
Bacillus licheniformis
Bacillus pumilus
Bacillus globigii
Bacillus niger
Bacillus nato
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Bacillus aterrimus
Streptomyces aureofaciens
Streptomyces rimosus
Streptomyces coelicolor
Streptomyces griseus
Streptomyces cyaneus
Streptomyces venezuelae
One way transfer of Streptococcus mutans or Streptococcus lactis DNA into Streptococcus sanguis
Streptococcus sanguis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus faecalis
Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus mutans
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This appendix includes those biological agents known to infect humans as well as selected animal agents that may pose theoretical risks if inoculated into humans. Included are lists of representative genera and species known to be pathogenic; mutated, recombined, and non-pathogenic species and strains are not considered. Non-infectious life cycle stages of parasites are excluded.
This appendix reflects the current state of knowledge and should be considered a resource document. Included are the more commonly encountered agents and is not meant to be all-inclusive. Information on agent risk assessment may be found in the Agent Summary Statements of the CDC/NIH publication, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (see Sections V-C, V-D, V-E, and V-F, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV. Further guidance on agents not listed in Appendix B may be obtained through: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Biosafety Branch, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Phone: (404) 639-3883, Fax: (404) 639-2294; National Institutes of Health, Division of Safety, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, Phone: (301) 496-1357; Biosafety Manager, National Animal Disease Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture - ARS, Ames, Iowa 50010, Phone: (515) 337-7772.
Appendix B - Table 1. Basis for the Classification of Biohazardous Agents by Risk Group (RG)
|
Risk Group 1 (RG1) |
Agents that are not associated with disease in healthy
adult humans |
|
Risk Group 2 (RG2) |
Agents that are associated with human disease which is
rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often
available |
|
Risk Group 3 (RG3) |
Agents that are associated with serious or lethal human
disease for which preventive or therapeutic interventions may be
available (high individual risk but low community risk) |
|
Risk Group 4 (RG4) |
Agents that are likely to cause serious or lethal human
disease for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are not usually
available (high individual risk and high community risk) |
RG1 agents are not
associated with disease in healthy adult humans. Examples of RG1 agents include asporogenic Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus
licheniformis (see Appendix C-IV-A, Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus
licheniformis Host-Vector Systems, Exceptions); adeno- associated virus
(AAV – all serotypes); and recombinant or synthetic AAV constructs, in which
the transgene does not encode either a potentially tumorigenic gene product or
a toxin molecule and are produced in the absence of a helper virus. A strain of Escherichia coli (see Appendix
C-II-A, Escherichia coli
K-12 Host Vector Systems, Exceptions) is an RG1 agent if it (1) does not
possess a complete lipopolysaccharide (i.e., lacks the O antigen); and
(2) does not carry any active virulence factor (e.g., toxins) or
colonization factors and does not carry any genes encoding these factors.
Those agents not listed in Risk Groups (RGs) 2, 3 and 4 are not automatically or implicitly classified in RG1; a risk assessment must be conducted based on the known and potential properties of the agents and their relationship to agents that are listed.
RG2 agents are associated with human disease which is rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available.
--Acinetobacter baumannii (formerly Acinetobacter calcoaceticus)
--Actinobacillus
--Actinomyces pyogenes (formerly Corynebacterium pyogenes)
--Aeromonas hydrophila
--Amycolata autotrophica
--Archanobacterium haemolyticum (formerly Corynebacterium haemolyticum)
--Arizona hinshawii - all serotypes
--Bacillus anthracis
--Bartonella henselae, B. quintana, B. vinsonii
--Bordetella including B. pertussis
--Borrelia recurrentis, B. burgdorferi
--Burkholderia (formerly Pseudomonas species) except those listed in Appendix B-III-A (RG3))
--Campylobacter coli, C. fetus, C. jejuni
--Chlamydia psittaci, C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae
--Clostridium botulinum, C. chauvoei,
C. haemolyticum, C. histolyticum, C. novyi, C. septicum, C. tetani
--Coxiella burnetii – specifically the Phase II, Nine Mile strain, plaque purified, clone 4
--Corynebacterium diphtheriae, C. pseudotuberculosis, C. renale
--Dermatophilus congolensis
--Edwardsiella tarda
--Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
--Escherichia coli - all enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroinvasive and strains bearing K1 antigen, including E. coli O157:H7
--*Francisella tularensis specifically *F. tularensis subspecies novicida [aka F. novicida], strain Utah 112; *F. tularensis subspecies holarctica LVS; *F. tularensis biovar tularensis strain ATCC 6223 (aka strain B38)
*For research involving high concentrations, BL3 practices should be considered (see Appendix G-II-C-2. Special Practices (BL3)).
--Haemophilus ducreyi, H. influenzae
--Helicobacter pylori
--Klebsiella - all species except K. oxytoca (RG1)
--Legionella including L. pneumophila
--Leptospira interrogans - all serotypes
--Listeria
--Moraxella
--Mycobacterium
(except those listed in Appendix B-III-A
(RG3)) including M. avium complex, M. asiaticum,
M. bovis BCG vaccine strain, M. chelonae, M. fortuitum, M. kansasii, M. leprae, M. malmoense,
M. marinum, M. paratuberculosis, M. scrofulaceum, M. simiae, M. szulgai, M. ulcerans, M. xenopi
--Mycoplasma, except M. mycoides and M. agalactiae which are restricted animal pathogens
--Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis
--Nocardia asteroides, N. brasiliensis, N. otitidiscaviarum,
N. transvalensis
--Pseudomonas aeruginosa
--Rhodococcus equi
--Salmonella including S. arizonae, S. choleraesuis, S. enteritidis, S. gallinarum-pullorum, S. meleagridis, S. paratyphi, A, B, C, S. typhi, S. typhimurium
--Shigella including S. boydii, S. dysenteriae, type 1, S. flexneri,
S. sonnei
--Sphaerophorus necrophorus
--Staphylococcus aureus
--Streptobacillus moniliformis
--Streptococcus including S. pneumoniae, S.
pyogenes
--Treponema pallidum, T. carateum
--Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus
--Yersinia enterocolitica
--Yersinia pestis specifically
pgm(–) strains (lacking the 102 kb pigmentation
locus) and lcr(–) strains (lacking the LCR plasmid)
--Blastomyces dermatitidis
--Cladosporium bantianum, C. (Xylohypha) trichoides
--Cryptococcus neoformans
--Dactylaria galopava (Ochroconis gallopavum)
--Epidermophyton
--Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis
--Fonsecaea pedrosoi
--Microsporum
--Paracoccidioides braziliensis
--Penicillium marneffei
--Sporothrix schenckii
--Trichophyton
--Ancylostoma human
hookworms including A. duodenale, A. ceylanicum
--Ascaris including Ascaris lumbricoides suum
--Babesia including B. divergens,
B. microti
--Brugia filaria worms
including B. malayi, B. timori
--Coccidia
--Cryptosporidium including C. parvum
--Cysticercus cellulosae (hydatid cyst, larva of T. solium)
--Echinococcus including E. granulosis, E. multilocularis, E. vogeli
--Entamoeba histolytica
--Enterobius
--Fasciola including F. gigantica,
F. hepatica
--Giardia including G. lamblia
--Heterophyes
--Hymenolepis including H. diminuta, H. nana
--Isospora
--Leishmania
including L. braziliensis, L. donovani,
L. ethiopia, L. major, L. mexicana,
L. peruviana, L. tropica
--Loa loa filaria worms
--Microsporidium
--Naegleria fowleri
--Necator human hookworms
including N. americanus
--Onchocerca filaria worms including, O. volvulus
--Plasmodium including simian species, P. cynomolgi, P. falciparum, P. malariae,
P. ovale, P. vivax
--Sarcocystis including S. sui hominis
--Schistosoma including S. haematobium, S. intercalatum, S. japonicum, S. mansoni, S. mekongi
--Strongyloides including S. stercoralis
--Taenia solium
--Toxocara including T. canis
--Toxoplasma including T. gondii
--Trichinella spiralis
--Trypanosoma including T. brucei brucei, T. brucei gambiense, T.
brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi
--Wuchereria bancrofti filaria worms
Adenoviruses, human - all types
Alphaviruses (Togaviruses) - Group A Arboviruses
--Chikungunya vaccine strain 181/25
--Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus
--Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis vaccine strains TC-83 and V3526
--Western equine encephalomyelitis virus
Arenaviruses
--Junin virus candid #1 vaccine strain
--Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (non-neurotropic strains)
--Tacaribe virus complex
--Other viruses as listed in the reference source (see Section V-C, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV)
Bunyaviruses
--Bunyamwera virus
--Rift Valley fever virus vaccine strain MP-12
--Other viruses as listed in the reference source (see Section V-C, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV)
Caliciviruses
Coronaviruses
Flaviviruses - Group B Arboviruses
--Dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4
--Japanese encephalitis virus strain SA 14-14-2
--Saint Louis encephalitis virus
--West Nile virus
--Yellow fever virus vaccine strain 17D
--Other viruses as listed in the reference source (see Section V-C, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV)
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses
Herpesviruses - except Herpesvirus simiae (Monkey B virus) (see Appendix B-IV-D, Risk Group 4 (RG4) - Viral Agents)
--Cytomegalovirus
--Epstein Barr virus
--Herpes simplex types 1 and 2
--Herpes zoster
--Human herpesvirus types 6 and 7
Orthomyxoviruses
--Influenza viruses types A, B, and C (except those listed in Appendix B-III-D, Risk Group 3 (RG3) - Viruses and Prions)
--Tick-borne orthomyxoviruses
Papilloma viruses
--All human papilloma viruses
Paramyxoviruses
--Newcastle disease virus
--Measles virus
--Mumps virus
--Parainfluenza viruses types 1, 2, 3, and 4
--Respiratory syncytial virus
Parvoviruses
--Human parvovirus (B19)
Picornaviruses
--Coxsackie viruses types A and B
--Echoviruses - all types
--Polioviruses - all types, wild and attenuated
--Rhinoviruses - all types
Poxviruses - all types except Monkeypox virus (see Appendix B-III-D, Risk Group 3 (RG3) - Viruses and Prions) and restricted poxviruses including Alastrim, Smallpox, and Whitepox (see Section V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV)
Reoviruses - all types including Coltivirus, human Rotavirus, and Orbivirus (Colorado tick fever virus)
Rhabdoviruses
--Rabies virus - all strains
--Vesicular stomatitis virus non exotic strains: VSV-Indiana 1 serotype strains (e.g. Glasgow, Mudd-Summers, Orsay, San Juan) and VSV-New Jersey serotype strains (e.g. Ogden, Hazelhurst)
Rubivirus (Togaviruses)
--Rubella virus
RG3 agents are associated with serious or lethal human disease for which preventive or therapeutic interventions may be available.
--Bartonella
--Brucella including B. abortus, B. canis, B. suis
--Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) mallei, B. pseudomallei
--Coxiella burnetii (except the Phase II, Nine Mile strain listed in Appendix B-II-A, Risk Group 2 (RG2) - Bacterial Agents Including Chlamydia)
--Francisella tularensis (except those strains listed in Appendix B-II-A, Risk Group 2 (RG2) - Bacterial Agents Including Chlamydia)
--Mycobacterium
bovis (except BCG strain, see Appendix B-II-A, Risk Group 2 (RG2) -
Bacterial Agents Including Chlamydia), M. tuberculosis
--Orientia tsutsugamushi (was R. tsutsugamushi)
--Pasteurella multocida type B -"buffalo" and other virulent strains
--Rickettsia akari, R. australis, R. canada, R. conorii, R. prowazekii, R. rickettsii, R, siberica, R. typhi (R. mooseri)
--Yersinia pestis (except those strains listed in Appendix B-II-A, Risk Group 2 (RG2) - Bacterial Agents Including Chlamydia)
--Coccidioides immitis (sporulating cultures; contaminated soil)
--Histoplasma capsulatum, H. capsulatum var. duboisii
None
Alphaviruses (Togaviruses) - Group A Arboviruses
--Chikungunya virus (except the vaccine strain 181/25 listed in Appendix B-II-D Risk Group2 (RG2) – Viruses)
--Semliki Forest virus
--Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (except the vaccine strains TC-83 and V3526, see Appendix B-II-D (RG2) – Viruses)
--Other viruses as listed in the reference source (see Section V-C, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV)
Arenaviruses
--Flexal
--Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) (neurotropic strains)
Bunyaviruses
--Hantaviruses including Hantaan virus
--Rift Valley fever virus
Coronaviruses
--SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV)
--Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Flaviviruses - Group B Arboviruses
--Japanese encephalitis
virus (except those strains listed in Appendix B-II-D Risk Group2
(RG2) - Viruses)
--Yellow fever virus
--Other viruses as listed in the reference source (see Section V-C, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV)
Orthomyxoviruses
-- Influenza viruses 1918-1919 H1N1 (1918 H1N1), human H2N2 (1957-1968), and highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 strains within the Goose/Guangdong/96-like H5 lineage (HPAI H5N1).
Poxviruses
--Monkeypox virus
Prions
--Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) agents (Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and kuru agents)(see Section V-C, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV, for containment instruction)
Retroviruses
--Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1 and 2
--Human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) types 1 and 2
--Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)
Rhabdoviruses
--Vesicular stomatitis virus (except those strains listed in Appendix B-II-D Risk Group2 (RG2) - Viruses)
RG4 agents are likely to cause serious or lethal human disease for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are not usually available.
None
None
None
Arenaviruses
--Guanarito virus
--Lassa virus
--Junin virus (except the candid #1 vaccine strain listed in Appendix
B-II-D Risk Group2 (RG2) –
Viruses)
--Machupo virus
--Sabia
Bunyaviruses (Nairovirus)
--Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus
Filoviruses
--Ebola viruses
--Marburg viruses
Flaviruses - Group B Arboviruses
--Tick-borne encephalitis virus complex including Absetterov, Central European encephalitis, Hanzalova, Hypr, Kumlinge, Kyasanur Forest disease, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, and Russian spring-summer encephalitis viruses
Herpesviruses (alpha)
--Herpesvirus simiae (Herpes B or Monkey B virus)
Paramyxoviruses
--Equine Morbillivirus (Hendra virus)
Hemorrhagic fever viruses as yet undefined
The following list of animal etiologic agents is appended to the list of human etiologic agents. None of these agents is associated with disease in healthy adult humans; they are commonly used in laboratory experimental work.
A containment level appropriate for RG1 human agents is recommended for their use. For agents that are infectious to human cells, e.g., amphotropic and xenotropic strains of murine leukemia virus, a containment level appropriate for RG2 human agents is recommended.
Baculoviruses
Herpesviruses
--Herpesvirus ateles
--Herpesvirus saimiri
--Marek's disease virus
--Murine cytomegalovirus
Papilloma viruses
--Bovine papilloma virus
--Shope papilloma virus
Polyoma viruses
--Polyoma virus
--Simian virus 40 (SV40)
Retroviruses
--Avian leukosis virus
--Avian sarcoma virus
--Bovine leukemia virus
--Feline leukemia virus
--Feline sarcoma virus
--Gibbon leukemia virus
--Mason-Pfizer monkey virus
--Mouse mammary tumor virus
--Murine leukemia virus
--Murine sarcoma virus
--Rat leukemia virus
Murine retroviral vectors to be used for human transfer experiments (less than 10 liters) that contain less than 50% of their respective parental viral genome and that have been demonstrated to be free of detectable replication competent retrovirus can be maintained, handled, and administered, under BL1 containment.
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Section III-F-8 states that exempt from these NIH Guidelines are "those that do not present a significant risk to health or the environment (see Section IV-C-1-b-(1)-(c), Major Actions), as determined by the NIH Director following appropriate notice and opportunity for public comment. See Appendix C, Exemptions under Sections III-F-8, for other classes of experiments which are exempt from the NIH Guidelines." The following classes of experiments are exempt under Section III-F-8:
Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules containing less than one-half of any eukaryotic viral genome (all viruses from a single family being considered identical -- see Appendix C-IX-E, Footnotes and References of Appendix C), that are propagated and maintained in cells in tissue culture are exempt from these NIH Guidelines with the exceptions listed in Appendix C-I-A.
The following categories are not exempt from the NIH Guidelines: (i) experiments described in Section III-B which require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation, (ii) experiments involving DNA from Risk Groups 3, 4, or restricted organisms (see Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, and Sections V-G and V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV) or cells known to be infected with these agents, (iii) experiments involving the deliberate introduction of genes coding for the biosynthesis of molecules that are toxic for vertebrates (see Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates), and (iv) whole plants regenerated from plant cells and tissue cultures are covered by the exemption provided they remain axenic cultures even though they differentiate into embryonic tissue and regenerate into plantlets.
Experiments which use Escherichia coli K-12 host-vector systems, with the exception of those experiments listed in Appendix C-II-A, are exempt from the NIH Guidelines provided that: (i) the Escherichia coli host does not contain conjugation proficient plasmids or generalized transducing phages; or (ii) lambda or lambdoid or Ff bacteriophages or non-conjugative plasmids (see Appendix C-IX-B, Footnotes and References of Appendix C) shall be used as vectors. However, experiments involving the insertion into Escherichia coli K-12 of DNA from prokaryotes that exchange genetic information (see Appendix C-IX-C, Footnotes and References of Appendix C) with Escherichia coli may be performed with any Escherichia coli K-12 vector (e.g., conjugative plasmid). When a non-conjugative vector is used, the Escherichia coli K-12 host may contain conjugation-proficient plasmids either autonomous or integrated, or generalized transducing phages. For these exempt laboratory experiments, Biosafety Level (BL) 1 physical containment conditions are recommended. For large-scale fermentation experiments, the appropriate physical containment conditions need be no greater than those for the host organism unmodified by recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule techniques; the Institutional Biosafety Committee can specify higher containment if deemed necessary.
The following categories are not exempt from the NIH
Guidelines: (i)
experiments described in Section III-B
which require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before
initiation, (ii) experiments involving DNA from Risk Groups 3, 4, or restricted
organisms (see Appendix B, Classification
of Human
Etiologic Agents on the Basis of
Hazard, and Sections V-G and V-L, Footnotes
and References of Sections I
through IV) or cells known to be infected with these agents may be conducted under containment conditions specified in Section III-D-2 with prior Institutional Biosafety Committee review and approval, (iii) large-scale experiments (e.g., more than 10 liters of culture), and (iv) experiments involving the cloning of toxin molecule genes coding for the biosynthesis of molecules toxic for vertebrates (see Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates).
Experiments involving Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces uvarum host-vector systems, with the exception of experiments listed in Appendix C-III-A, are exempt from the NIH Guidelines. For these exempt experiments, BL1 physical containment is recommended. For large-scale fermentation experiments, the appropriate physical containment conditions need be no greater than those for the unmodified host organism; the Institutional Biosafety Committee can specify higher containment if deemed necessary.
The following categories are not exempt from the NIH Guidelines: (i) experiments described in Section III-B, which require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation; (ii) experiments involving DNA from Risk Groups 3, 4, or restricted organisms (see Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, and Sections V-G and V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV) or cells known to be infected with these agents may be conducted under containment conditions specified in Section III-D-2 with prior Institutional Biosafety Committee review and approval; (iii) large-scale experiments (e.g., more than 10 liters of culture), (iv) experiments involving the deliberate cloning of genes coding for the biosynthesis of molecules toxic for vertebrates (see Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates), and (v) experiments involving gene drive modified organisms (Section III-D-8).
Experiments
involving Kluyveromyces lactis host-vector
systems, with the exception of experiments listed in Appendix C-IV-A, are
exempt from the NIH Guidelines provided laboratory-adapted strains are
used (i.e. strains that have been adapted to growth
under optimal or defined laboratory conditions). For these exempt experiments, BL1 physical
containment is recommended. For
large-scale fermentation experiments, the appropriate physical containment
conditions need be no greater than those for the unmodified host organism; the
Institutional Biosafety Committee may specify higher containment if deemed
necessary.
The following categories are not exempt from the NIH Guidelines: (i) experiments described in Section III-B, which require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation; (ii) experiments involving DNA from Risk Groups 3, 4, or restricted organisms (see Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, and Sections V-G and V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV) or cells known to be infected with these agents may be conducted under containment conditions specified in Section III-D-2 with prior Institutional Biosafety Committee review and approval; (iii) large-scale experiments (e.g., more than 10 liters of culture), (iv) experiments involving the deliberate cloning of genes coding for the biosynthesis of molecules toxic for vertebrates (see Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates), and (v) experiments involving gene drive modified organisms (Section III-D-8).
Any asporogenic Bacillus subtilis or asporogenic Bacillus licheniformis strain which does not revert to a spore-former with a frequency greater than 10-7 may be used for cloning DNA with the exception of those experiments listed in Appendix C-V-A, Exceptions. For these exempt laboratory experiments, BL1 physical containment conditions are recommended. For large-scale fermentation experiments, the appropriate physical containment conditions need be no greater than those for the unmodified host organism; the Institutional Biosafety Committee can specify higher containment if it deems necessary.
The following categories are not exempt from the NIH Guidelines: (i) experiments described in Section III-B which require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation, (ii) experiments involving DNA from Risk Groups 3, 4, or restricted organisms (see Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, and Sections V-G and V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV) or cells known to be infected with these agents may be conducted under containment conditions specified in Section III-D-2 with prior Institutional Biosafety Committee review and approval, (iii) large-scale experiments (e.g., more than 10 liters of culture), and (iv) experiments involving the deliberate cloning of genes coding for the biosynthesis of molecules toxic for vertebrates (see Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates).
Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules derived entirely from extrachromosomal elements of the organisms listed below (including shuttle vectors constructed from vectors described in Appendix C), propagated and maintained in organisms listed below are exempt from these NIH Guidelines.
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Bacillus amylosacchariticus
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus aterrimus
Bacillus brevis
Bacillus cereus
Bacillus globigii
Bacillus licheniformis
Bacillus megaterium
Bacillus natto
Bacillus niger
Bacillus pumilus
Bacillus sphaericus
Bacillus stearothermophilus
Bacillus subtilis
Bacillus thuringiensis
Clostridium acetobutylicum
Lactobacillus casei
Listeria grayi
Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria murrayi
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pediococcus damnosus
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus carnosus
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Streptococcus agalactiae
Streptococcus anginosus
Streptococcus avium
Streptococcus cremoris
Streptococcus dorans
Streptococcus equisimilis
Streptococcus faecalis
Streptococcus ferus
Streptococcus lactis
Streptococcus ferns
Streptococcus mitior
Streptococcus mutans
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus salivarius
Streptococcus sanguis
Streptococcus sobrinus
Streptococcus thermophilus
The following categories are not exempt from the NIH Guidelines: (i) experiments described in Section III-B which require NIH OSP and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval before initiation, (ii) experiments involving DNA from Risk Groups 3, 4, or restricted organisms (see Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, and Sections V-G and V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV) or cells known to be infected with these agents may be conducted under containment conditions specified in Section III-D-2 with prior Institutional Biosafety Committee review and approval, (iii) large-scale experiments (e.g., more than 10 liters of culture), and (iv) experiments involving the deliberate cloning of genes coding for the biosynthesis of molecules toxic for vertebrates (see Appendix F, Containment Conditions for Cloning of Genes Coding for the Biosynthesis of Molecules Toxic for Vertebrates).
The purchase or transfer of transgenic rodents for experiments that require BL1 containment (See Appendix G-III-M, Footnotes and References of Appendix G) are exempt from the NIH Guidelines.
The breeding of two
different transgenic rodents or the breeding of a transgenic rodent and a
non-transgenic rodent with the intent of creating a new strain of transgenic
rodent that can be housed at BL1 containment will be exempt from the NIH Guidelines if:
(1) Both parental rodents can be housed under BL1 containment; and
(2) neither parental
transgenic rodent contains the following genetic modifications: (i) incorporation of more than one-half of the genome of an
exogenous eukaryotic virus from a single family of viruses; or (ii)
incorporation of a transgene that is under the control of a gammaretroviral
long terminal repeat (LTR); and
(3) the transgenic
rodent that results from this breeding is not expected to contain more than
one-half of an exogenous viral genome from a single family of viruses.
Appendix C-IX-A. The NIH Director may revise the classification for the purposes of these NIH Guidelines (see Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(b), Minor Actions). The revised list of organisms in each Risk Group is located in Appendix B.
Appendix C-IX-B. A subset of non-conjugative plasmid vectors are poorly mobilizable (e.g., pBR322, pBR313). Where practical, these vectors should be employed.
Appendix C-IX-C. Defined as observable under optimal laboratory conditions by transformation, transduction, phage infection, and/or conjugation with transfer of phage, plasmid, and/or chromosomal genetic information. Note that this definition of exchange may be less stringent than that applied to exempt organisms under Section III-F-6, Exempt Experiments.
Appendix C-IX-D. As classified in the Third Report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses: Classification and Nomenclature of Viruses, R. E. F. Matthews (ed.), Intervirology 12 (129-296), 1979.
Appendix C-IX-E. i.e., the total of all genomes within a Family shall not exceed one-half of the genome.
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As noted in the subsections of Section IV-C-1-b-(1), the Director, NIH, may take certain actions with regard to the NIH Guidelines (Entries up to and including D-118 were approved using a process that involved the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC)). Some of the actions taken to date include the following:
Appendix D-1. Permission is granted to clone foot and mouth disease virus in the EK1 host-vector system consisting of E. coli K-12 and the vector pBR322, all work to be done at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.
Appendix D-2. Certain specified clones derived from segments of the foot and mouth disease virus may be transferred from Plum Island Animal Disease Center to the facilities of Genentech, Inc., of South San Francisco, California. Further development of the clones at Genentech, Inc., has been approved under BL1 + EK1 conditions.
Appendix D-3. The Rd strain of Hemophilus influenzae can be used as a host for the propagation of the cloned Tn 10 tet R gene derived from E. coli K-12 employing the non-conjugative Hemophilus plasmid, pRSF0885, under BL1 conditions.
Appendix D-4. Permission is granted to clone certain subgenomic segments of foot and mouth disease virus in HV1 Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae host-vector systems under BL1 conditions at Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California.
Appendix D-5. Permission is granted to Dr. Ronald Davis of Stanford University to field test corn plants modified by recombinant DNA techniques under specified containment conditions.
Appendix D-6. Permission is granted to clone in E. coli K-12 under BL1 physical containment conditions subgenomic segments of rift valley fever virus subject to conditions which have been set forth by the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee.
Appendix D-7. Attenuated laboratory strains of Salmonella typhimurium may be used under BL1 physical containment conditions to screen for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pseudouridine synthetase gene. The plasmid YEp13 will be employed as the vector.
Appendix D-8. Permission is granted to transfer certain clones of subgenomic segments of foot and mouth disease virus from Plum Island Animal Disease Center to the laboratories of Molecular Genetics, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota, and to work with these clones under BL1 containment conditions. Approval is contingent upon review of data on infectivity testing of the clones by a working group of the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee.
Appendix D-9. Permission is granted to Dr. John Sanford of Cornell University to field test tomato and tobacco plants transformed with bacterial (E.coli K-12) and yeast DNA using pollen as a vector.
Appendix D-10. Permission is granted to Drs. Steven Lindow and Nickolas Panopoulos of the University of California, Berkeley, to release under specified conditions Pseudomonas syringae, pathovars (pv.) syringae, and Erwinia herbicola carrying in vitro generated deletions of all or part of the genes involved in ice nucleation.
Appendix D-11. Agracetus of Middleton, Wisconsin, may field test under specified conditions disease resistant tobacco plants prepared by recombinant DNA techniques.
Appendix D-12. Eli Lilly and Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, may conduct large-scale experiments and production involving Cephalosporium acremonium strain LU4-79-6 under less than Biosafety Level 1 - Large Scale (BL1-LS) conditions.
Appendix D-13. Drs. W. French Anderson, R. Michael Blaese, and Steven Rosenberg of the NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, can conduct experiments in which a bacterial gene coding for neomycin phosphotransferase will be inserted into a portion of the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of cancer patients using a retroviral vector, N2. The marked TIL then will be combined with unmarked TIL, and reinfused into the patients. This experiment is an addition to an ongoing adoptive immunotherapy protocol in which TIL are isolated from a patient's tumor, grown in culture in the presence of interleukin-2, and reinfused into the patient. The marker gene will be used to detect TIL at various time intervals following reinfusion.
Approval is based on the following four stipulations: (I) there will be no limitation of the number of patients in the continuing trial; (ii) the patients selected will have a life expectancy of about 90 days; (iii) the patients give fully informed consent to participate in the trial; and (iv) the investigators will provide additional data before inserting a gene for therapeutic purposes. (Protocol #8810-001)
Appendix D-14. U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) may conduct certain experiments involving products of a yellow fever virus originating from the 17-D yellow fever clone at the Biosafety Level 3 containment level using HEPA filters and vaccination of laboratory personnel.
In addition, USAMRIID may conduct certain experiments involving vaccine studies of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus at the Biosafety Level 3 containment level using HEPA filters and vaccination of laboratory personnel.
Appendix D-15. Drs. R. Michael Blaese and W. French Anderson of the NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, can conduct experiments in which a gene coding for adenosine deaminase (ADA) will be inserted into T lymphocytes of patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease, using a retroviral vector, LASN. Following insertion of the gene, these T lymphocytes will be reinfused into the patients. The patients will then be followed for evidence of clinical improvement in the disease state, and measurement of multiple parameters of immune function by laboratory testing.
Approval is based on the following two stipulations: (I) that intraperitoneal administration of transduced T lymphocytes not be used before clearance by the Chair of the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee; and (ii) that the number of research patients be limited to 10 at this time.
In addition to the conditions outlined in the initial approval, patients may be given a supplement of a CD-34+-enriched peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) which have been placed in culture conditions that favor progenitor cell growth. This enriched population of cells will be transduced with the retroviral vector, G1NaSvAd. G1NaSvAd is similar to LASN, yet distinguishable by PCR. LASN has been used to transduce peripheral blood T lymphocytes with the ADA gene. Lymphocytes and myeloid cells will be isolated from patients over time and assayed for the presence of the LASN or G1NaSvAd vectors. The primary objectives of this protocol are to transduce CD 34+ peripheral blood cells with the adenosine deaminase gene, administer these cells to patients, and determine if such cells can differentiate into lymphoid and myeloid cells in vivo. There is a potential for benefit to the patients in that these hematopoietic progenitor cells may survive longer, and divide to yield a broader range of gene-corrected cells. (Protocol #9007-002)
Appendix D-16. Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, can conduct experiments on patients with advanced melanoma who have failed all effective therapy. These patients will be treated with escalating doses of autologous tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) transduced with a gene coding for tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Escalating numbers of transduced TIL will be administered at three weekly intervals along with the administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2). The objective is to evaluate the toxicity and possible therapeutic efficacy of the administration of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) transduced with the gene coding for TNF. (Protocol #9007-003)
Appendix D-17. Dr. Malcolm K. Brenner of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital of Memphis, Tennessee, can conduct experiments on patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Using the LNL6 retroviral vector, the autologous bone marrow cells will be transduced with the gene coding for neomycin resistance. The purpose of this gene marking experiment is to determine whether the source of relapse after autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia is residual malignant cells in the harvested marrow or reoccurrence of tumor in the patient. Determining the source of relapse should indicate whether or not purging of the bone marrow is a necessary procedure. (Protocol #9102-004)
Appendix D-18. Dr. Malcolm K. Brenner of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital of Memphis, Tennessee, can conduct experiments on pediatric patients with Stage D (disseminated) neuroblastoma who are being treated with high-dose carboplatin and etoposide in either phase I/II or phase II trials. All the patients in these studies will be subjected to bone marrow transplantation since it will allow them to be exposed to chemoradiation that would be lethal were it not for the availability of stored autologous marrow for rescue. The bone marrow cells of these patients will be transduced with the gene coding for neomycin resistance using the LNL6 vector. The purpose of this gene marking study is to determine whether the source of relapse after autologous bone marrow transplantation is residual malignant cells in the harvested marrow or residual disease in the patient. Secondly,
it is hoped to determine the contribution of marrow autographs to autologous reconstitution. (Protocol #9105-005/9105-006)
Appendix D-19. Dr. Albert B. Deisseroth of the MD Anderson Cancer Center of Houston, Texas, can conduct experiments on patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia who have been reinduced into a second chronic phase or blast cells. The patients in these studies will receive autologous bone marrow transplantation. Using the LNL6 vector, the bone marrow cells will be transduced with the gene coding for neomycin resistance. The purpose of these marking studies is to determine if the origin of relapse arises from residual leukemic cells in the patients or from viable leukemic cells remaining in the bone marrow used for autologous transplantation. (Protocol #9105-007)
Appendix D-20. Drs. Fred D. Ledley and Savio L. C. Woo of Baylor College of Medicine of Houston, Texas, can conduct experiments on pediatric patients with acute hepatic failure who are identified as candidates for hepatocellular transplantation. Using the LNL6 vector, the hepatocytes will be transduced with the gene coding for neomycin resistance. The purpose of using a genetic marker is to demonstrate the pattern of engraftment of transplanted hepatocytes and to help determine the success or failure of engraftment. (Protocol #9105-008)
Appendix D-21. Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, can conduct experiments on patients with advanced melanoma, renal cell cancer, and colon carcinoma who have failed all effective therapy. In an attempt to increase these patients' immune responses to the tumor, the tumor necrosis factor gene or the interleukin-2 gene will be introduced into a tumor cell line established from the patient. These gene-modified autologous tumor cells will then be injected into the thigh of the patient. To further utilize the immune system of the patient to fight the tumor, stimulated lymphocytes will be cultured from either the draining regional lymph nodes or the injected tumor itself. The patients will be evaluated for antitumor effects engendered by the injection of the gene modified tumor cells themselves as well as after the infusion of the cultured lymphocytes. (Protocol #9110-010/9110-011)
Appendix D-22. Dr. James M. Wilson of the University of Michigan Medical Center of Ann Arbor, Michigan, can conduct experiments on three patients with the homozygous form of familial hypercholesterolemia. Both children and adults will be eligible for this therapy. In an attempt to correct the basic genetic defect in this disease, the gene coding for the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor will be introduced into liver cells taken from the patient. The gene-corrected hepatocytes will then be infused into the portal circulation of the patient through an indwelling catheter. The patients will be evaluated for engraftment of the these treated hepatocytes through a series of metabolic studies; three months after gene therapy, a liver biopsy will be taken and analyzed for the presence of recombinant derived RNA and DNA to document the presence of the gene coding for the normal LDL receptor. (Protocol #9110-012)
Appendix D-23. Dr. Michael T. Lotze of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, can conduct experiments on 20 patients with metastatic melanoma who have failed conventional therapy. A gene transfer experiment will be performed, transducing the patients' tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) with the gene for neomycin resistance. Through the use of this gene marking technique, it is proposed to determine how long TIL cells can be detected in vivo in the peripheral blood of the patients, and how the administration of interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 affects localization and survival of TIL cells in tumor sites. (Protocol #9105-009)
Appendix D-24. Dr. Gary J. Nabel of the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, can conduct gene therapy experiments on twelve patients with melanoma or adenocarcinoma. Patient population will be limited to adults over the age of 18 and female patients must be postmenopausal or have undergone tubal ligation or orchiectomy. The patient's immune response will be stimulated by the introduction of a gene encoding for a Class I MHC protein, HLA-B7, in order to enhance tumor regression. DNA/liposome-mediated transfection techniques will be used to directly transfer this foreign gene into tumor cells. HLA-B7 expression will be confirmed in vivo, and the immune response stimulated by the expression of this antigen will be characterized. These experiments will be analyzed for their efficacy in treating cancer. (Protocol #9202-013)
Appendix D-25. Kenneth Cornetta of Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, can conduct gene transfer experiments on up to 10 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and up to 10 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The patient population will be limited to persons between 18 and 65 years of age. Using the LNL-6 vector, autologous bone marrow cells will be marked with the neomycin resistance gene. Gene marked and untreated bone marrow cells will be reinfused at the time of bone marrow transplantation. Patients will then be monitored for evidence of the neomycin resistance gene in peripheral blood and bone marrow cells in order to determine whether relapse of their disease is a result of residual malignant cells remaining in the harvested marrow or inadequate ablation of the tumor cells by chemotherapeutic agents. Determining the source of relapse may indicate whether or not purging of the bone marrow is a necessary procedure for these leukemia patients. Further studies will be performed in order to determine the percentage of leukemic cells that contain the LNL-6 vector and the clonality of the marked cells. (Protocol #9202-014)
Appendix D-26. Dr. James S. Economou of the University of California, Los Angeles, can conduct gene transfer experiments on 20 patients with metastatic melanoma and 20 patients with renal cell carcinoma. These patients will be treated with various combinations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood leukocytes, including CD8 and CD4 subsets of both types of cells. These effector cell populations will be given in combination with interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the melanoma patients and IL-2 plus alpha interferon in the renal cell carcinoma patients. The effector cells will be transduced with the neomycin resistance gene using either the LNL6 or G1N retroviral vectors. This "genetic marking" of the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes is designed to answer questions about the trafficking of these cells, their localization to tumors, and their in vivo life span. (Protocol #9202-015)
Appendix D-27. Drs. Philip Greenberg and Stanley R. Riddell of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 15 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive patients (18-45 years old) undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 15 HIV-seropositive patients (18-50 years old) who do not have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related lymphoma and who are not undergoing bone marrow transplantation to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) therapy. CTL will be transduced with a retroviral vector (HyTK) encoding a gene that is a fusion product of the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (HPH) and the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene. This vector will deliver both a marker gene and an ablatable gene in these T cell clones in the event that patients develop side effects as a consequence of CTL therapy. Data will be correlated over time, looking at multiple parameters of HIV disease activity. The objectives of these studies include evaluating the safety and toxicity of CTL therapy, determining the duration of in vivo survival of HIV-specific CTL clones, and determining if ganciclovir therapy can eradicate genetically modified, adoptively transferred CTL cells. (Protocol #9202-017)
Appendix D-28. Dr. Malcolm Brenner of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, can conduct gene therapy experiments on twelve patients with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma who have relapsed after receiving autologous bone marrow transplant. In an attempt to stimulate the patient's immune response, the gene coding for Interleukin-2 (IL-2) will be used to transduce tumor cells, and these gene-modified cells will be injected subcutaneously in a Phase 1 dose escalation trial. Patients will be evaluated for an anti-tumor response. (Protocol #9206-018)
Appendix D-29. Drs. Edward Oldfield, Kenneth Culver, Zvi Ram, and R. Michael Blaese of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, can conduct gene therapy experiments on ten patients with primary malignant brain tumors and ten patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, malignant melanoma, or renal cell carcinoma who have brain metastases. The patient population will be limited to adults over the age of 18.
Patients will be divided into two groups based on the surgical accessibility of their lesions. Both surgically accessible and surgically inaccessible lesions will receive intra-tumoral injections of the retroviral Herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HS-tk) vector-producer cell line, G1TkSvNa, using a guided stereotaxic approach. Surgically accessible lesions will be excised seven days after stereotaxic injection, and the tumor bed will be infiltrated with the HS-tk producer cells. The removed tumor will be evaluated for the efficiency of transduction. Ganciclovir (GCV) will be administered beginning on the fifth postoperative day. In the case of surgically inaccessible lesions, the patients will receive intravenous therapy with GCV seven days after receiving the intra-tumoral injections of the retroviral HS-tk vector-producer cells. (Protocol #9206-019)
Appendix D-30. Dr. Albert D. Deisseroth of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, can conduct gene transfer experiments on ten patients who have developed blast crisis or accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The retroviral vectors G1N and LNL6 which code for neomycin resistance will be used to transduce autologous peripheral blood and bone marrow cells that have been removed and stored at the time of cytogenetic remission or re-induction of chronic phase in Philadelphia chromosome positive CML patients. Following reinduction of the chronic phase of CML and preparative chemotherapy, patients will be infused with the transduced autologous cells.
This protocol is designed to determine the cause of relapse of CML. If polyclonal CML neomycin marked blastic cells appear at the time of relapse, their presence will indicate that relapse arises from the leukemic CML blast cells present in the autologous cells infused following chemotherapy. If residual systemic disease contributes to relapse, the neomycin resistance gene will not be detected in the CML leukemic blasts at the time of relapse.
This study will compare the relative contributions of the peripheral blood and bone marrow to generate hematopoietic recovery after bone marrow transplantation and evaluate purging and selection of peripheral blood or bone marrow as a source of stem cells for transplant. The percentage of neomycin resistant CML cells which are leukemic will be determined by PCR analysis and detection of bcr-abl mRNA. (Protocol #9206-020)
Appendix D-31. Dr. Cynthia Dunbar of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, can conduct gene transfer experiments on up to 48 patients with multiple myeloma, breast cancer, or chronic myelogenous leukemia. The retroviral vectors G1N and LNL6 will be used to transfer the neomycin resistance marker gene into autologous bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells in the presence of growth factors to examine hematopoietic reconstitution after bone marrow transplantation. The efficiency of transduction of both short and long term autologous bone marrow reconstituting cells will be examined.
Autologous bone marrow and CD34+ peripheral blood stem cells will be enriched prior to transduction. Myeloma and CML patients will receive both autologous bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. These separate populations will be marked with both the G1N and LNL6 retroviral vectors. If short and long term marking experiments are successful, important information may be obtained regarding the biology of autologous reconstitution, the feasibility of retroviral gene transfer into hematopoietic cells, and the contribution of viable tumor cells within the autograft to disease relapse. (Protocol #9206-023/9206-024/9206-025)
Appendix D-32. Dr. Bernd Gansbacher of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, can conduct gene therapy experiments on twelve patients over 18 years of age with metastatic melanoma who are HLA-A2 positive and who have failed conventional therapy. This is a phase I study to examine whether allogeneic HLA-A2 matched melanoma cells expressing recombinant human Interleukin-2 (IL-2) can be injected subcutaneously and used to create a potent tumor specific immune response without producing toxicity. By allowing the tumor cells to present the MHC Class I molecule as well as the secreted IL-2, a clonal expansion of tumor specific effector cells is expected. These effector populations may access residual tumor at distant sites via the systemic circulation. (Protocol #9206-021)
Appendix D-33. Dr. Bernd Gansbacher of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, can conduct gene therapy experiments on twelve patients over 18 years of age with renal cell carcinoma who are HLA-A2 positive and who have failed conventional therapy. This Phase I study will examine whether allogeneic HLA-A2 matched renal cell carcinoma cells expressing recombinant human Interleukin-2 (IL-2) can be injected subcutaneously and used to create a potent tumor specific immune response without producing toxicity. By allowing the tumor cells to present the MHC Class I molecule as well as the secreted IL-2, a clonal expansion of tumor specific effector cells is expected. These effector populations may access residual tumor at distant sites via the systemic circulation. (Protocol #9206-022)
Appendix D-34. Dr. Michael T. Lotze, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, can conduct experiments on twenty patients with metastatic, and/or unresectable, locally advanced melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, or colon cancer who have failed standard therapy. Patients will receive multiple subcutaneous injections of autologous tumor cells combined with an autologous fibroblast cell line that has been transduced in vitro with the gene coding for Interleukin-4 (IL-4) to augment the in vivo antitumor effect. Patients will be monitored for antitumor effect by PCR analysis and multiple biopsy of the injection site. (Protocol #9209-033)
Appendix D-35. Dr. Friedrich G. Schuening, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, can conduct human gene transfer experiments on patients ≥ 18 years of age with breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A total of 10 patients per year will be enrolled in the studies over a period of four years. Patients will undergo autologous bone marrow transplantation with a selected population of Interleukin-3 (IL-3) or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) stimulated CD34(+) peripheral blood repopulating cells (PBRC) that have been transduced with the gene coding for neomycin resistance (neoR) using the retroviral vector, LN. Patients will be continuously monitored for neoR to determine the relative contribution
of autologous PBRCs to long-term hematopoietic reconstitution. Demonstration of long-term contribution of autologous PBRC to hematopoiesis will enable the use of PBRC alone for autologous transplants and suggest the use of PBRC as long-term carriers of therapeutically relevant genes. (Protocol #9209-027/9209-028)
Appendix D-36. Dr. Friedrich G. Schuening, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, can conduct human gene transfer experiments on patients ≥ 18 years of age with breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A total of 5 patients per year will be enrolled in the study over a period of four years. Patients will undergo allogeneic bone marrow transplant with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) stimulated CD34(+) PBRC harvested from an identical twin that have been transduced with neoR using the retroviral vector, LN. Patients will be continuously monitored for neoR to determine the relative contribution of G-CSF stimulated allogeneic PBRCs to long-term bone marrow engraftment. Demonstration of long-term contribution of allogeneic PBRC to hematopoiesis will enable the use of PBRC alone for allogeneic transplants and suggest the use of PBRC as long-term carriers of therapeutically relevant genes. (Protocol #9209-029)
Appendix D-37. Dr. Malcolm K. Brenner of St. Jude Children's
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, and Dr. Bonnie J. Mills of Baxter Healthcare
Corporation, Santa Ana, California, can conduct a multicenter uncontrolled
human gene transfer experiment on 12 patients ≤ 21 years of age with Stage D
Neuroblastoma in first or second marrow remission. Autologous bone marrow cells will be
separated into two fractions, purged and unpurged. Each fraction will be transduced with the neoR gene by either LNL6 or G1Na. Patients will be monitored by the polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of neoR. The protocol is designed to evaluate the
safety and efficacy of the Neuroblastoma Bone Marrow Purging System following
high dose chemotherapy. (Protocol #9209-032)
Appendix D-38. Drs. Carolyn Keierleber and Ann Progulske-Fox of the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, can conduct experiments involving the introduction of a gene coding for tetracycline resistance into Porphyromonas gingivalis at a physical containment level of Biosafety Level-2 (BL-2).
Appendix D-39. Dr. Scott M. Freeman of Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, can conduct experiments on patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma who have clinical evidence of recurrent, progressive, or residual disease who have no other therapy available to prolong survival. Patients will be injected intraperitoneally with the irradiated PA-1 ovarian carcinoma cell line which has been transduced with the herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene. The patients will then receive ganciclovir therapy. Previous, data indicates that HSV-TK+ tumor cells exhibit a killing effect on HSV-TK- cells when exposed to ganciclovir therapy. Patients will be evaluated for safety and side effects of this treatment. (Protocol #9206-016)
Appendix D-40. Dr. Michael J. Welsh, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Laboratories, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, may conduct experiments on 3 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients ≥ 18 years of age with mild to moderate disease. This Phase I study will determine the: (1) in vivo safety and efficacy of the administration of the replication-deficient type 2 adenovirus vector, Ad2/CFTR-1, to the nasal epithelium; (2) efficacy in correcting the CF chloride transport defect in vivo; and (3) effect of adenovirus vector dosage on safety and efficacy. (Protocol #9212-036)
Appendix D-41. Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 10 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients ≥ 21 years of age. Patients will receive an initial administration of the replication-deficient type 5 adenovirus vector, AdCFTR, to their left nares. If no toxicity is observed from intranasal administration, patients will receive a single administration of AdCFTR to the respiratory epithelium of their left large bronchi. Five groups of patients (2 patients per group) will be studied based on increased dosage administration of AdCFTR. This study will determine the: (1) in vivo safety and efficacy of the administration of AdCFTR into the respiratory epithelium; (2) efficacy of the correction of the biologic abnormalities of CF in the respiratory epithelium; (3) duration of the biologic correction; (4) efficacy of the correction of the abnormal electrical potential difference of the airway epithelial sheet; (5) clinical parameters relevant to the disease process; and (6) if humoral immunity develops against AdCFTR sufficient to prevent repeat administration. (Protocol #9212-034)
Appendix D-42. Dr. Kenneth Culver, Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa, and Dr. John Van Gilder, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, may conduct experiments on 15 patients ≥ 18 years of age with recurrent malignant primary brain tumors or lung, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, or breast carcinoma brain metastases who have failed standard therapy for their disease. Patient eligibility will be limited to those patients who have measurable residual tumor immediately following the post-operative procedure as demonstrated by imaging studies. The number of patients treated will be equally divided between the Iowa Methodist Medical Center and the University of Iowa. If a positive response is observed in any of the first 15 patients, the investigators may submit a request to treat an additional 15 patients.
Following surgical debulking, patients will receive a maximum of 3 intralesional injections of the G1TkSvNa vector- producing cell line (VPC) to induce regression of residual tumor cells by ganciclovir (GCV) therapy. Patients who demonstrate stable disease for a minimum of 6 months following this treatment will be eligible for additional VPC injections and subsequent GCV therapy. (Protocol #9303-037)
Appendix D-43. Drs. Malcolm Brenner, Robert Krance, Helen E. Heslop, Victor Santana, and James Ihle, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, may conduct experiments on 35 patients ≥ 1 year and ≤ 21 years of age at the time of initial diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The investigators will use the two retroviral vectors, LNL6 and G1Na, to determine the efficacy of the bone marrow purging techniques: 4-hydroxyperoxicyclophosphamide and interleukin-2 (IL-2) activation of endogenous cytotoxic effector cells, in preventing relapse from the reinfusion of autologous bone marrow cells. (Protocol #9303-039)
Appendix D-44. Drs. Helen E. Heslop, Malcolm Brenner, and Cliona Rooney, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, may conduct experiments of 35 patients ≤ 21 years of age who will be recipients of mismatched-related or phenotypically similar unrelated donor marrow grafts for leukemia. In this Phase I dose escalation study, spontaneous lymphoblastoid cell lines will be established that express the same range of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) encoded proteins as the recipient. These EBV-specific cell lines will be transduced with LNL6 or G1Na and readministered at the time of bone marrow transplant. This study will determine: (1) survival and expansion of these EBV-specific cell lines in vivo, (2) the ability of these adoptively transferred cells to confer protection against EBV infection, and (3) appropriate dosage and administration schedules. (Protocol #9303-038)
Appendix D-45. Drs. Robert W. Wilmott and Jeffrey Whitsett, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Dr. Bruce Trapnell, Genetic Therapy, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 15 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients who have mild to moderate disease ≥ 21 years of age. The replication-deficient type 5 adenovirus vector, Av1CF2, will be administered to the nasal and lobar bronchial respiratory tract of patients. This study will demonstrate the: (1) expression of normal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mRNA in vivo, (2) synthesis of CFTR protein, and (3) correction of epithelial cell cAMP dependent Cl- permeability. The pharmacokinetics of CFTR expression and ability to re-infect the respiratory tract with AvCF2 will be determined. Systemic and local immunologic consequences of Av1CF2 infection, the time of viral survival, and potential for recombination or complementation of the virus will be monitored. (Protocol #9303-041)
Appendix D-46. Dr. James M. Wilson of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, may conduct experiments on 20 adult patients with advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease. An isolated segment of the patients' lung will be transduced with the E1 deleted, replication-incompetent adenovirus vector, Ad.CB-CFTR using a bronchoscope for gene delivery. Ad.CB-CFTR contains the human gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. Pulmonary biopsies will be obtained by bronchoscopy at 4 days, 6 weeks, and 3 months following treatment. Patients will be monitored for evidence of CFTR gene transfer and expression, immunological responses to CFTR or adenovirus proteins, and toxicity. (Protocol #9212-035)
Appendix D-47. Dr. Hilliard F. Seigler of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, may conduct experiments on 20 patients with disseminated malignant melanoma. Autologous tumor cells will be transduced with a retroviral vector, pHuγ-IFN, that contains the gene encoding human γ-IFN. Following lethal irradiation, the transduced cells will be readministered to patients for the purpose of generating cytotoxic T cells that are tumor specific along with the up-regulation of Class I major histocompatibility antigens. Patients will be monitored for clinical regression of tumors and generation of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. (Protocol #9306-043)
Appendix D-48. Drs. Stefan Karlsson and Cynthia Dunbar of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, and Dr. Donald B. Kohn of the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, may conduct experiments on 10 patients with Gaucher disease. CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells will be isolated from bone marrow or from peripheral blood treated with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. CD34(+) cells will be transduced with a retrovirus vector, G1Gc, containing cDNA encoding human glucocerebrosidase and administered intravenously. Patients will be monitored for toxicity and glucocerebrosidase expression. (Protocol #9306-047)
Appendix D-49. Dr. Gary J. Nabel of the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, may conduct experiments on 12 patients with AIDS to be divided into 4 experimental groups. CD4(+) lymphocytes will be isolated from peripheral blood and transduced with Rev M10, a transdominant inhibitory mutant of the rev gene of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Transduction of the rev mutant will be mediated either by the retrovirus vector, PLJ-cREV M10, or by particle-mediated gene transfer of plasmid DNA. Patients will be monitored for survival of the transduced CD4(+) cells by polymerase chain reaction and whether Rev M10 can confer protection against HIV infection to CD4(+) cells. (Protocol #9306-049)
Appendix D-50. Dr. Gary J. Nabel of the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, may conduct experiments on 24 patients with advanced cancer. Patients will undergo in vivo transduction with DNA/liposome complexes containing genes encoding the HLA-B7 histocompatibility antigen and beta-2 microglobulin in a non-viral plasmid. These DNA/liposome complexes will be administered either by intratumoral injection or catheter delivery. Patients will be monitored for enhanced immune responses against tumor cells, and safe and effective doses will be determined. (Protocol #9306-045)
Appendix D-51. Dr. John A. Barranger of the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, may conduct experiments on 5 patients with Gaucher disease. The CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells will be isolated from peripheral blood and transduced in vitro with the retrovirus vector, N2-Sv-GC, encoding the glucocerebrosidase (GC) enzyme. Following reinfusion of the transduced cells, patients will be monitored by PCR analysis for GC expression in peripheral blood leukocytes. Patients currently receiving GC replacement therapy and who demonstrate clinical responsiveness will be withdrawn from exogenous GC therapy. Patients not previously treated with exogenous GC, will be monitored for clinical reversal of lipid storage symptoms. (Protocol #9306-046)
Appendix D-52. Dr. Robert Walker of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 12 HIV-infected patients who have a seronegative identical twin. CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells will be isolated from the seronegative twin and induced to polyclonal proliferation with anti-CD3 and interleukin-2. The enriched population of cells will be transduced with either LNL6 or G1Na, which contain the neoR gene. The transduced cells will be expanded in tissue culture and administered to the HIV-infected twin. Patients will be monitored for immune function and the presence of marked cells. (Protocol #9209-026)
Appendix D-53. Dr. Corey Raffel of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, and Dr. Kenneth Culver of Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa, may conduct experiments on 30 patients between 2 and 18 years of age with recurrent malignant astrocytoma. Fifteen patients will be accrued into this study initially. If at least one patient responds to therapy, an additional 14 patients will be treated. Patients with either surgically accessible or non-accessible tumors will be treated with the vector producing cell line (PA317) carrying the retrovirus vector, G1TkSvNa. This vector will transduce tumor cells in vivo with the Herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HS-tk) gene that renders the cells sensitive to killing by ganciclovir. Surgically accessible patients will undergo surgical debulking of their tumor followed by repeated administration of the HS-tk vector producer cells into the tumor bed. Children with unresectable tumors will undergo stereotaxic injection of vector producer cells into tumors. (Protocol #9306-050)
Appendix D-54. Dr. Jeffrey E. Galpin of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, and Dr. Dennis A. Casciato of the University of California, Los Angeles, California, may conduct experiments on 15 HIV(+) asymptomatic patients. Patients will receive 3 monthly intramuscular injections of the retrovirus vector (N2IIIBenv) encoding the HIV-1 IIIB envelope protein. Patients will be monitored for acute toxicity, CD4 levels, HIV-specific CTL responses, and viral burdens. (Protocol #9306-048)
Appendix D-55. Drs. Charles Hesdorffer and Karen Antman of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, may conduct experiments on 20 patients with advanced breast, ovary, and brain cancer. CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells will be isolated from bone marrow, transduced with the retrovirus vector, PHaMDR1/A, and readministered to patients. Patients will be monitored for the presence and expression of the MDR-1 gene. The investigators will determine whether MDR-1 expression increases following chemotherapy. (Protocol #9306-051)
Appendix D-56. Dr. Enzo Paoletti of Virogenetics Corporation, Troy, New York, may conduct experiments with poxvirus vectors NYVAC, ALVAC, and TROVAC at Biosafety Level 1.
Appendix D-57. Drs. Richard C. Boucher and Michael R. Knowles of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, may conduct experiments on 9 patients (18 years old or greater) with cystic fibrosis to test for the safety and efficacy of an E1-deleted recombinant adenovirus containing the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cDNA, Ad.CB-CFTR. A single dose of 108, 3 x 109 or 1011 pfu/ml will be administered to the nasal cavity of 3 patients in each dose group. Patients will be monitored by nasal lavage and biopsy to assess safety and restoration of normal epithelial function. (Protocol #9303-042)
Appendix D-58. Dr. Joyce A. O'Shaughnessy of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 18 patients (18-60 years old) with Stage IV breast cancer who have achieved a partial or complete response to induction chemotherapy. This study will determine the feasibility of obtaining engraftment of CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells transduced by a retroviral vector, G1MD, and expressing a cDNA for the human multi-drug resistance-1 (MDR-1) gene following high dose chemotherapy, and whether the transduced MDR-1 gene confers drug resistance to hematopoietic cells and functions as an in vivo dominant selectable marker. Patients will be monitored for evidence of myeloprotection and presence of the transduced MDR-1 gene." (Protocol #9309-054)
Appendix D-59. Drs. Larry E. Kun, R. A. Sanford, Malcolm Brenner, and Richard L. Heideman of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, and Dr. Edward H. Oldfield of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 6 patients (3-21 years old) with progressive or recurrent malignant supratentorial tumors resistant to standard therapies. Mouse cells producing the retroviral vector containing the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene (G1TKSVNa) will be instilled into the tumor areas via multiple stereotactically placed cannulas. Patients will be treated with ganciclovir to eliminate cells expressing the transduced gene. Patients will be monitored for central nervous system, hematologic, renal or other toxicities, and for anti-tumor responses by magnetic resonance imaging studies. (Protocol #9309-055)
Appendix D-60. The physical containment level may be reduced from Biosafety Level 3 to Biosafety Level 2 for a Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) vector expression system of Life Technologies, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Appendix D-61. Dr. Albert B. Deisseroth of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, may conduct experiments on 10 patients (≥ 16 to ≤ 60 years of age) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Autologous peripheral blood and bone marrow cells will be removed from patients following chemotherapy and marked by transduction with two distinguishable retroviral vectors, G1Na and LNL6, containing the neomycin resistance gene. The gene marked cells will be reinfused into patients to determine the efficiency of bone marrow purging and the origin of relapse following autologous bone marrow transplantation. (Protocol #9209-030)
Appendix D-62. Dr. Jonathan Simons of the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 26 patients (≥ 18 years of age) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intradermally injected autologous irradiated tumor cells transduced with the retrovirus vector, MFG, containing the human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor gene. Acute and long-term clinical toxicities and in vitro and in vivo induction of specific anti-tumor immune responses will be monitored. (Protocol #9303-040)
Appendix D-63. Dr. Albert B. Deisseroth of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, may conduct experiments on 20 patients (≥ 18 and ≤ 60 years old) with ovarian cancer. A murine viral vector was constructed from the third generation of L series retroviruses with the insert of the human multi-drug resistance-1 (MDR-1) transduced gene. The investigators will assess the safety and feasibility of administering CD34 (+) autologous peripheral blood and bone marrow cells. Patients will be monitored for the presence of the MDR-1 gene and for the effect of gene transfer on hematopoietic function following the transplantation. (Protocol #9306-044)
Appendix D-64. Dr. Joseph Ilan of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospital of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, may conduct experiments on 12 patients (≥ 18 years of age) with advanced brain cancer. Human malignant glioma tumor cells will be cultured, transfected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based vector, anti-Insulin growth factor-I, lethally irradiated, and injected subcutaneously into patients in an attempt to express antisense Insulin growth factor-1. Patients will be monitored for toxicity and immunologic responses to the vector. (Protocol #9306-052)
Appendix D-65. Drs. James S. Economou and John Glaspy of the University of California, Los Angeles, California, may conduct experiments on 30 patients (≥ 18 to ≤ 70 years of age) with metastatic melanoma. A human melanoma cell line (M-24) will be transduced with the retroviral vector, G1NaCvi2, expressing the human interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene. The IL-2 producing cells will be mixed with the patient's autologous tumor cells, irradiated, and injected subcutaneously in an attempt to enhance the tumor-specific immunologic response. Patients will be monitored for toxicity, in vitro and in vivo immunologic responses, and clinical anti-tumor effects. (Protocol #9309-058)
Appendix D-66. Drs. Peter Cassileth, Eckhard R. Podack, and Kasi Sridhar of the University of Miami, and Niramol Savaraj of the Miami Veterans Administration Hospital, Miami, Florida, may conduct experiments on 12 patients (≥ 18 years of age) with limited stage small cell lung cancer. Autologous tumor cells will be removed, expanded in culture, and transduced by lipofection with the BMG-Neo-hIL2 vector (derived from bovine papilloma virus). The objective of this protocol is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of administering IL-2 transduced autologous tumor cells in an attempt to stimulate a tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, and to determine the quantity and characteristics of the CTL that have been generated. (Protocol #9309-053)
Appendix D-67. Drs. Edward H. Oldfield and Zvi Ram of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 20 patients (≥ 18 years of age) with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. The patients will receive intraventricular or subarachnoid injection of murine vector producing cells containing the retroviral vector, G1Tk1SvNa. Tumor cells expressing the herpes simplex thymidine kinase gene will be rendered sensitive to killing by subsequent administration of ganciclovir. Patients will be monitored for safety and anti-tumor response by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebral spinal fluid cytological analysis. (Protocol #9312-059)
Appendix D-68. Drs. Tapas K. Das Gupta and Edward P. Cohen of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, may conduct experiments on 12 subjects who differ in at least 3 out of 6 alleles at the Class I histocompatibility locus (≥ 18 years of age) with Stage IV malignant melanoma. The subjects will be immunized with a lethally irradiated allogeneic human melanoma cell line transduced with the human interleukin-2 expressing retroviral vector, pZipNeoSv-IL-2. Subjects will be monitored for toxicity, induction of B and T cell antitumor responses in vitro and in vivo, and any clinical evidence of antitumor effect. (Protocol #9309-056)
Appendix D-69A. Dr. Michael J. Welsh of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Iowa City, Iowa, may conduct experiments on 20 patients (≥ 18 years of age) with cystic fibrosis. The investigator will administer increasing doses of either of the two adenovirus vectors, AD2/CFTR-1 or AD2-ORF6/PGK-CFTR, to the nasal epithelium of 10 patients (1 nostril) or maxillary sinus epithelium of 10 patients (1 maxillary sinus). Patients will be isolated for a period of 24 hours following vector administration; however, if 1 patient demonstrates secreted virus at 24 hours, the investigator will notify the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee for reconsideration of the isolated period. Patients will be assessed for the safety and efficacy of multiply administration of adenovirus vectors encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. (Protocol #9312-067)
Appendix D-69B. Dr. Richard Haubrich of the University of California at San Diego Treatment Center, San Diego, California, may conduct experiments on 25 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected, seropositive, asymptomatic subjects (≥ 18 to ≤ 65 years of age). Subjects will receive 3 monthly intramuscular injections of the retroviral vector, N2/IIIB env/rev, which encodes for HIV-1 IIIB env/rev proteins. The objective of the study is to induce HIV-1- specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte and antibody responses in order to eliminate HIV-infected cells and residual virus. This Phase I/II study will evaluate acute toxicity, identify long-term treatment effects, and evaluate the disease progression. (Protocol #9312-062)
Appendix D-70. Dr. Mario Sznol of the National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 50 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with advanced stage melanoma. Subjects will receive subcutaneous injections of lethally irradiated allogeneic melanoma cells that have been transduced by lipofection with the plasmid DNA vector, CMV-B7, derived from bovine papilloma virus to express the human B7 antigen. The B7 antigen, which binds to the CD28 receptor of T cells, will serve as a co-stimulatory signal to elicit an antitumor immune response. Subjects will be monitored for induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte, antitumor responses in vitro and in vivo and any clinical evidence of antitumor effect. (Protocol #9312-063)
Appendix D-71. Dr. Joseph Rubin of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, may conduct experiments on 15 subjects with hepatic metastases from advanced colorectal cancer (≥ 18 years of age). Subjects will receive intratumoral hepatic injections of the plasmid DNA/lipid complex, pHLA-B7/β-2 microglobulin, expressing a heterodimeric cell surface protein consisting of the HLA-B7 histocompatibility antigen and β-2 microglobulin. Subjects must be HLA-B7 negative. The objective of this study is to determine a safe and effective dose of the DNA/lipid complex. Subjects will be monitored for antigen-specific immune responses and in vivo HLA-B7 expression. (Protocol #9312-064)
Appendix D-72. Dr. Nicholas J. Vogelzang of the University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, may conduct experiments on 15 subjects with metastatic renal cell carcinoma ≥ 18 years of age. Subjects will receive intratumoral injections of the plasmid DNA/liposome vector pHLA-B7/β-2 microglobulin, expressing a heterodimeric cell surface protein consisting of the HLA-B7 histocompatibility antigen and β-2 microglobulin. Subjects must be HLA-B7 negative. Subjects will be monitored for antigen-specific immune responses and in vivo HLA-B7 expression. (Protocol #9403-071)
Appendix D-73. Dr. Evan M. Hersh of the Arizona Cancer Center and Drs. Emmanuel Akporiaye, David Harris, Alison T. Stopeck, Evan C. Unger, and James A. Warneke of the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, may conduct experiments on 15 subjects with metastatic malignant melanoma ≥ 18 years of age. Subjects will receive intratumoral injections of the plasmid DNA/liposome vector, pHLA-B7/β-2 microglobulin, expressing a heterodimeric cell surface protein consisting of the HLA-B7 histocompatibility antigen and β-2 microglobulin. Subjects must be HLA-B7 negative. Subjects will be monitored for antigen-specific immune responses and in vivo HLA-B7 expression. (Protocol #9403-072)
Appendix D-74. Dr. Ralph Freedman of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, may conduct gene marking experiments on 9 subjects with ovarian carcinoma or peritoneal carcinomatosis (≥ 16 years of age). Autologous CD3(+)/CD8(+) tumor infiltrating lymphocyte derived T cells will be transduced with the retroviral vector G1Na that encodes for neoR. Subjects will receive intraperitoneal administration of bulk expanded transduced and nontransduced T cells and recombinant interleukin-2. Previously documented tumor sites and normal tissues will be monitored for neoR and the proportion of CD3(+)/CD8(+) T cells will be determined. (Protocol #9406-075)
Appendix D-75. Drs. Helen Heslop, Malcolm Brenner, and Robert Krance of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, may conduct gene marking experiments on 20 subjects undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation for therapy of leukemia or solid tumor (< 21 years of age). The distinguishable retroviral vectors, LNL6 and G1Na (both encoding neoR), will be used to determine the rate of reconstitution of untreated versus cytokine expanded CD34(+) selected autologous bone marrow cells. (Protocol #9406-076)
Appendix D-76. Drs. Albert Deisseroth, Gabriel Hortobagyi, Richard Champlin, and Frankie Holmes of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, may conduct experiments on 10 fully evaluable subjects (maximum of 20 entered) with Stage III or IV breast cancer (≥ 18 and ≤ 60 years of age). Subjects will receive autologous CD34(+) peripheral blood cells that have been transduced with the retroviral vector, pVMDR-1, which encodes the multi-drug resistance gene. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transducing early hematopoietic progenitor cells with pVMDR-1 and to determine in vivo selection of chemotherapy resistant hematopoietic cells. (Protocol #9406-077)
Appendix D-77. Drs. Johnson M. Liu and Neal S. Young of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct experiments on 6 patients with Fanconi anemia (≥ 5 years of age). Subjects will receive autologous CD34(+) cells that have been transduced with the retroviral vector, FACC, which encodes the normal Fanconi anemia complementation group C gene. The objective of this study is to determine whether autologous FACC transduced hematopoietic progenitor cells can be safely administered to subjects, the extent of engraftment, and correction of cell phenotype. (Protocol #9406-078)
Appendix D-78. Drs. Robert E. Sobol and Ivor Royston of the San Diego Regional Cancer Center, San Diego, California, may conduct experiments on 15 subjects with recurrent residual glioblastoma multi-forme (≥ 18 years of age). Subjects will receive subcutaneous injections of autologous tumor cells that have been lethally irradiated and transduced with the retroviral vector, G1NaCvi2.23, which encodes for interleukin-2. Subjects will be monitored in vitro for cellular and humoral antitumor responses and in vivo for antitumor activity. (Protocol #9406-080)
Appendix D-79. Dr. Alfred E. Chang of the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor Michigan, may conduct gene marking experiments on 15 subjects with metastatic melanoma (≥ 18 years of age). Subjects will undergo adoptive immunotherapy of anti-CD3/interleukin-2 activated lymph node cells that have been primed in vivo with tumor cells that have been transduced with the retrovirus vector, GBAH4, encoding the gene for interleukin-4. The investigator will evaluate the antitumor efficacy and in vivo immunological reactivity in subjects receiving adoptively transferred T cells, and the in vitro immunological reactivities of the activated T cells that might correlate with their in vivo antitumor function. (Protocol #9312-065)
Appendix D-80. Dr. Robert Walker of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct gene marking experiments on 40 HIV(+) subjects (≥ 18 years of age). The investigator may also enter an additional number of subjects (to be determined by the investigator) who will receive a single administration of 1 x 107 HIV-specific CD8(+) cells. The investigator will: (1) Assess the safety and tolerance of the adoptive transfer of anti-HIV cytotoxic, syngeneic, CD8(+) peripheral blood lymphocytes that have been transduced with the retrovirus
vector, rkat4svgF3e-, that encodes for a universal chimeric T cell receptor. (2) Determine the longevity of the genetically marked CD8(+) lymphocytes in the subject's peripheral blood. (Protocol #9403-069)
Appendix D-81. Dr. Joseph Rosenblatt of the University of California, Los Angeles, California, and Dr. Robert Seeger of Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, California, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 18 subjects with neuroblastoma (≤ 21 years of age). Patients at high risk of relapse with minimal or no detectable disease following myeloablative therapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation, or patients with progressive or persistent disease despite conventional therapy will be serially immunized with autologous or allogeneic neuroblastoma cells transduced to express γ interferon. Cells will be transduced with the retroviral vector, pHuγ-IFN, encoding the human gene for γ interferon and lethally irradiated prior to use as an immunogen. The objectives of the study are: (1) to determine the maximum tolerable dose of transduced cells; (2) to determine the local, regional, and systemic toxicities of injected cells; and (3) to determine the antitumor response in vivo as measured by standard clinical tests and immunocytologic evaluation of marrow metastases. (Protocol #9403-068)
Appendix D-82. Dr. Kenneth L. Brigham of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 10 subjects (≤ 21 years of age) in two different patient protocols (5 for each protocol). Both protocols will use the same DNA/liposome preparations to deliver a plasmid DNA construct, pCMV4-AAT, encoding human alpha-1 antitrypsin gene driven by a cytomegalovirus promoter. In patients scheduled for elective pulmonary resection, the DNA/liposome complexes will be instilled through a fiber optic bronchoscope into a subsegment of the lung. Tissues of the lung will be obtained at the time of surgery. Transgene expression will be assessed by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and Western and Northern blot analyses. The effect of DNA/liposome complex administration on the histological appearance of the lung will also be evaluated. In patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, the DNA/liposome complexes will be instilled into the nostril. Transgene expression will be determined in cells obtained by nasal lavage and nasal scraping, and the time course of transgene expression will be measured. The secretion of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in nasal fluid will be determined. Histological appearance of nasal mucosa will also be examined. The study will assess safety and feasibility of gene delivery to the human respiratory tract. (Protocol #9403-070)
Appendix D-83. Dr. H. Kim Lyerly of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 20 subjects with refractory or recurrent metastatic breast cancer (≥ 18 years of age). Autologous breast cancer cells will be transduced with the DNA/liposome complex, pMP6-IL2, containing a plasmid DNA vector derived from adeno-associated virus (AAV) that expresses the gene for human interleukin-2. Subjects will receive 4 subcutaneous injections of lethally irradiated tumor cells transduced with the DNA/liposome complex prior to injection. The objective of this study is to: (1) evaluate the safety and toxicity of the treatment, (2) determine the immunological effects, (3) determine the duration of clinical responses, and (4) measure patient survival. (Protocol #9409-086)
Appendix D-84. Drs. Flossie Wong-Staal, Eric Poeschla, and David Looney of the University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 6 subjects (≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years of age) infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Autologous CD4(+) T lymphocytes will be transduced ex vivo with the retroviral vector, pMJT, expressing a hairpin ribozyme that cleaves the HIV-1 RNA in the 5' leader sequence. The transduced cells will be expanded and reinfused into the patients. The objectives of the study are: (1) to evaluate safety of reinfusing the transduced lymphocytes, (2) to compare (in vivo) the kinetics and survival of ribozyme-transduced cells with that of cells transduced with a control vector, (3) to determine in vivo expression of the ribozyme sequences in transduced lymphocytes, (4) to determine whether host immune responses directed against the transduced cells will occur in vivo, and (5) to obtain preliminary data on the effects of ribozyme gene therapy on in vivo HIV mRNA expression, viral burden and CD4(+) lymphocyte levels. (Protocol #9309-057)
Appendix D-85. Dr. Friedrich Schuening of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 10 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with Type I Gaucher's disease. The peripheral blood repopulating cells (mobilized by patient pretreatment with recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) will be harvested and CD34(+) cells selected. CD34(+) cells will be transduced ex vivo with the retroviral vector, LgGC, that encodes human glucocerebrosidase cDNA. Following transduction, the transduced cells will be infused into the patient without myeloablative treatment. The primary endpoint of this study is to examine the safety of infusing CD34(+) cells transduced with the human glucocerebrosidase cDNA. Patients will be monitored for persistence and expression of the glucocerebrosidase gene in hematopoietic cells. (Protocol #9312-061)
Appendix D-86. Dr. Terence R. Flotte of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, Maryland, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 16 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with mild cystic fibrosis (CF). An adeno-associated virus (AAV) derived vector, encoding cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, (tgAAVCF), will be administered to nasal (direct) and airway (bronchoscope) epithelial cells. This is a dose escalation study involving 8 cohorts. Each subject will receive both intranasal and bronchial administration of the adenoviral vector at 4 escalating doses. Nasal doses will range between 1 x 106 and 1 x 109 pfu. Lung administration will range between 1 x 107 and 1 x 1010 pfu. The primary goal of the study is to assess the safety of vector administration. Respiratory and nasal epithelial cells will be evaluated for gene transfer, expression, and physiologic correction. (Protocol #9409-083)
Appendix D-87. Drs. Jeffrey M. Isner and Kenneth Walsh of St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 12 subjects (≥ 40 years of age) with peripheral artery disease (PAD). A plasmid DNA vector, phVEGF165, encoding the human gene for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) will be used to express VEGF to induce collateral neovascularization. Percutaneous arterial gene transfer will be achieved using an angioplasty catheter with a hydrogel coated balloon to deliver the plasmid DNA vector to the artery. The objectives of the study are: (1) to determine the efficacy of arterial gene therapy to relieve rest pain and/or heal ischemic ulcers of the lower extremities in patients with PAD; and (2) to document the safety of the phVEGF arterial gene therapy for therapeutic angiogenesis. Subjects will undergo anatomic and physiologic examination to determine the extent of collateral artery development following phVEGF arterial gene therapy. (Protocol #9409-088)
Appendix D-88A. Dr. Ronald G. Crystal of New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 26 patients (≥ 15 years of age) with cystic fibrosis (CF). A replication deficient recombinant adenovirus vector will be used to transduce epithelial cells of the large bronchi with the E1/E3 deleted type 5 adenovirus vector, AdGVCFTR.10, which encodes the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The objective of this study is to define the safety and pharmacodynamics of CFTR gene expression in airway epithelial cells following single administration of
escalating doses to the vector. If single administration is determined to be safe, subjects will undergo repeat administration to localized areas of the bronchi. (Protocol #9409-085)
Appendix D-88B. Drs. Eric J. Sorscher and James L. Logan of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 9 subjects (≥18 years of age) with cystic fibrosis (CF). The normal human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene will be expressed by a plasmid DNA vector, pKCTR, driven by the simian virus-40 (SV40) early gene promoter. The CFTR DNA construct will be delivered by cationic liposome-based gene transfer to nasal epithelial cells. The objectives of the study are to: (1) evaluate the safety of lipid-mediated gene transfer to nasal epithelial cells (including local inflammation and mucosal tissue); and (2) evaluate efficacy as determined by correction of the chloride ion transport defect, and wild-type CFTR mRNA and protein expression. (Protocol #9312-066)
Appendix D-89. Dr. Steven M. Albelda of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 12 subjects with advanced mesothelioma. The adenovirus vector encoding the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene, H5.020RSVTK, will be administered through a chest tube to the pleural cavity. Tumor biopsies will be assayed for gene transfer and expression. Subjects will be monitored for immunological responses to the adenovirus vector. Ganciclovir will be administered intravenously 14 days following vector administration. The primary objective of this Phase I study is to evaluate the safety of direct adenovirus vector gene delivery to the pleural cavity of patients with malignant melanoma. (Protocol #9409-090)
Appendix D-90. Drs. Jeffrey Holt and Carlos B. Arteaga of the Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 10 female patients (over 18 years of age) with metastatic breast cancer. Patient effusions from pleura or peritoneum will be drained and the fluid will be replaced with supernatant containing the retroviral vectors, XM6:antimyc or XM6:antifos, which express c-myc and c-fos antisense sequences, respectively, under the control of a mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. The objectives of this study are to: (1) assess uptake and expression of the vector sequences in breast cancer cells present in pleural and peritoneal fluids, and determine if this expression is tumor specific, (2) assess the safety of localized administration of antisense retroviruses, and (3) monitor subjects for clinical evidence of antitumor response. (Protocol #9409-084)
Appendix D-91. Dr. Jack A. Roth of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 14 non-small cell lung cancer subjects (≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years of age) who have failed conventional therapy and who have bronchial obstruction. LNSX-based retroviral vectors containing the β-actin promoter will be used to express: (1) the antisense RNA of the K-ras oncogene (LN-K-rasB), and (2) the wildtype p53 tumor suppressor gene (LNp53B). Tumor biopsies will be obtained to characterized K-ras and p53 mutations. Relative to their specific mutation, subjects will undergo partial endoscopic resection of the tumor bed followed by bronchoscopic administration of the appropriate retrovirus construct. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional administration of LN-K-rasB and LNp53 retrovirus constructs. (Protocol #9403-031)
Appendix D-92. Drs. Robert E. Sobol and Ivor Royston of the San Diego Regional Cancer Center, San Diego, California, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 12 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with metastatic colon carcinoma. The autologous skin fibroblasts will be transduced with the retroviral vector, LNCX/IL-2, which encodes the gene for human interleukin-2 (IL-2). In this dose-escalation study, subjects will receive subcutaneous injections of lethally irradiated autologous tumor cells. The objectives of the study are to: (1) evaluate the safety of subcutaneous administration of LNCX/IL-2 transduced fibroblasts, (2) determine in vivo antitumor activity, and (3) monitor cellular and humoral antitumor responses. (Protocol #9312-060)
Appendix D-93. Dr. Michael Lotze of the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 18 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with advanced melanoma, 6 with T-cell lymphoma, breast cancer, or head and neck cancer. Subjects should have accessible cutaneous tumors, and have failed standard therapy. Over 4 weeks, subjects will receive a total of 4 intratumoral injections of autologous fibroblasts transduced with the retrovirus vector, TFG-hIL-12-Neo. This vector, which consists of the murine MFG backbone, expresses both the p35 and p40 subunits of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and the neoR selection marker. The objectives of the study are to: (1) define the local and systemic toxicity associated with peritumoral injections of gene-modified fibroblasts, (2) examine the local and systemic immunomodulatory effects of these injections, and (3) evaluate clinical antitumor efficacy. (Protocol #9406-081)
Appendix D-94. Drs. Evan Hersh, Emmanuel Akporiaye, David Harris, Alison Stopeck, Evan Unger, James Warneke, of the Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 25 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with solid malignant tumors or lymphomas. A plasmid DNA/lipid complex designated as VCL-1102 (IL-2 Plasmid DNA/DMRIE/DOPE) will be used to transduce the human gene for interleukin-2 (IL-2). Patients with advanced cancer who have failed conventional therapy will undergo a procedure in which VCL-1102 is injected directly into the tumor mass to induce tumor-specific immunity. The objectives of the study are to: (1) determine safety and toxicity associated with escalating doses of VCL-1102; (2) confirm IL-2 expression in target cells; (3) determine biological activity and pharmacokinetics; and (4) determine whether IL-2 expression stimulates tumor regression in subjects with metastatic malignancies. (Protocol #9412-095)
Appendix D-95. Drs. Richard Morgan and Robert Walker of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 48 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive subjects (≥ 18 years of age). This Phase I/II study involves identical twins (one HIV seropositive and the other HIV seronegative). CD4(+) T cells will be enriched following apheresis of the HIV seronegative twin, induced to polyclonal proliferation with anti-CD3 and recombinant IL-2, transduced with either the LNL6/NeoR or G1Na/NeoR, and transduced with up to 2 additional retroviral vectors (G1RevTdSN and/or GCRTdSN(TAR)) containing potentially therapeutic genes (antisense TAR and/or transdominant Rev). These T cell populations will be expanded 10 to 1,000 fold in culture for 1 to 2 weeks and reinfused into the HIV seropositive twin. Subjects will receive up to 4 cycles of treatment using identical or different combinations of control and anti-HIV retrovirus vectors. The relative survival of these transduced T cell populations will be monitored by vector-specific polymerase chain reaction, while the subjects' functional immune status is monitored by standard in vitro and in vivo assays. (Protocol #9503-103)
Appendix D-96. Dr. Harry L. Malech of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 2 subjects ≥ 18 years of age (with or without concurrent serious infection), and 3 subjects ≥ 18 years of age (with or without concurrent serious infection) or minors 13-17 years of age who have concurrent serious infection who have chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). CGD is an inherited immune deficiency disorder in which blood neutrophils and monocytes fail to produce antimicrobial oxidants (p47phox mutation) resulting in recurrent life-threatening infections. Subjects will undergo CD34(+) mobilization with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). These CD34(+) cells will be transduced with the retrovirus vector, MFG-S-p47phox, which encodes the gene for normal p47phox. The objectives of this study are to: (1) determine the safety of administering MFG-S-p47phox transduced CD34(+) cells, and (2) demonstrate increased functional oxidase activity in circulating neutrophils. (Protocol #9503-104)
Appendix D-97. Drs. Chris Evans and Paul Robbins of the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 6 subjects (≥ 18 and ≤ 76 years of age) with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive disease thought to be of autoimmune origin. A gene encoding an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP) will be delivered to the rheumatoid metacarpal-phalangeal joints to determine the autoimmune reactions can be interrupted. The vector construct, DFG-IRAP, is based on the MFG murine retrovirus vector backbone, and encodes the human IRAP gene. Synovial fibroblasts will be generated from the rheumatoid arthritic joint tissue obtained from patients who are scheduled to undergo surgery. The fibroblasts will be transduced with the DFG-IRAP vector, and the transduced cells injected into the synovial space. The synovial fluid and joint material will be collected 7 days later to determine the presence and location of the transduced synovial fibroblasts and the level of IRAP in the joint fluid. (Protocol 9406-074)
Appendix D-98. Dr. R. Scott McIvor of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 2 children with purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficiency. PNP deficiency results in severe T-cell immunodeficiency, an autosomal recessive inherited disease which is usually fatal in the first decade of life. Autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes will be cultured in an artificial capillary cartridge in the presence of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and interleukin-2 and transduced with the retroviral vector, LPNSN-2, encoding human PNP. Subjects will undergo bimonthly intravenous administration of transduced T cells for a maximum of 1 year. The objectives of the study are to determine: (1) the safety of intravenous administration of transduced T cells in children with PNP deficiency, (2) the efficiency of PNP gene transfer and duration of gene expression in vivo, and (3) the effect of PNP gene transfer on immune function. (Protocol #9506-110)
Appendix D-99. Drs. Nikhil C. Munshi and Bart Barlogie of the University of Arkansas School for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 21 subjects (>18 and <65 years of age) with relapsed or persistent multiple myeloma who are undergoing T cell depleted allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Donor peripheral blood lymphocytes will be cultured in vitro with interleukin-2 and anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. T cell depleted lymphocytes will be transduced with the retroviral construct, G1Tk1SvNa.7, which encodes the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene. The transduced cells will be reinfused. In this dose escalation study, 3 subjects will undergo cell-mediated gene transfer per cohort (maximum of 5 cohorts) until Grade III or IV Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD) is observed. A maximum of 6 additional patients may be entered at that maximum tolerated dose. The objectives of this study are to determine the: (1) safety of transduced donor cell infusions, (2) effectiveness of donor cell infusions in decreasing the effects of severe GVHD, (3) effectiveness of donor cell infusions in prolonging multiple myeloma remission, and (4) effectiveness of ganciclovir in eliminating donor cells for the purpose of preventing the depletion of erythrocytes. (Protocol #9506-107)
Appendix D-100. Dr. Wayne A. Marasco of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 6 subjects (≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years of age) with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Autologous lymphocytes from asymptomatic subjects will be transduced ex vivo with a retroviral vector, LNCs105, encoding the sFv105 antibody specific for the HIV-1 envelope protein. An identical aliquot will be simultaneously transduced with a control retroviral vector lacking the sFv105 cassette. Transduced cells will be reinfused into patients and the differential survival of both populations of CD4+ lymphocytes compared. The objective of the study is to determine whether the intracellular expression of a human single chain antibody against HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp160 that blocks gp160 processing and the production of infectious virions can safely prolong the survival of CD4(+) lymphocytes in HIV-1-infected subjects. (Protocol #9506-111)
Appendix D-101. Dr. Henry Dorkin of the New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, and Dr. Allen Lapey of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, propose to conduct gene transfer experiments on 16 subjects (≥ 18 years of age). An E1/partial E4-deleted, replication-deficient, type 2 adenovirus vector, AD2/CFTR-2, will be used to deliver the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene by aerosol administration (nebulization) to the lung of CF patients. Aerosol administration will be initiated only after initial safety data has been obtained from the lobar administration protocol (#9409-091). This is a single administration dose-escalation study in which subjects will receive between 8 x 106 and 2.5 x 1010 pfu. Subjects will be assessed for evidence of adverse, systemic, immune, inflammatory, or respiratory effects in response to AD2/CFTR-2. Subjects will be monitored for virus shedding and transgene expression. Health care workers present in the facility will be required to sign an Informed Consent document regarding the possibility of virus transmission. (Protocol #9412-074)
Appendix D-102. Drs. Charles J. Link and Donald Moorman of the Human Gene Therapy Research Institute, Des Moines, Iowa, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 24 female subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with refractory or recurrent ovarian cancer. Subjects will undergo intraperitoneal delivery (via Tenkhoff catheter) of the vector producing cells (VPC), PA317/LTKOSN.2. These VPC express the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene which confers sensitivity to killing by the antiviral drug, ganciclovir (GCV). The LTKOSN.2 retrovirus vector is based on the LXSN backbone. Two weeks following intraperitoneal delivery of the VPC, subjects will receive 5 mg/kg intravenous GCV twice daily for 14 days. Subjects will receive between 1 x 105 and 1 x 108 VPC/kg in this dose escalation study. Subjects will be evaluated by X-ray and peritoneoscopy of the abdomen for evidence of clinical response. The objectives of this study are to determine the safety of intraperitoneal VPC administration. (Protocol #9503-100)
Appendix D-103. Dr. David T. Curiel of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, may conduct gene transfer experiment of 15 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with metastatic colorectal cancer. Subjects will receive intramuscular injection of the polynucleotide vaccine, pGT63, which is a plasmid DNA vector expressing carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The objectives of the study are to: (1) characterize the immune response to CEA and HBsAg following a single intramuscular injection and following 3 consecutive intramuscular injections, and (2) determine the safety of intramuscular injection of the plasmid DNA vector at doses ranging between 0.1 to 1.0 milligrams (single dose) and 0.9 to 3.0 milligrams (total multidose). (Protocol #9506-073)
Appendix D-104. Dr. Chester B. Whitley of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, may conduct gene transfer experiments on two adult subjects (18 years of age or older) with mild Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II). The autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes will be transduced ex vivo with the retroviral vector, L2SN, encoding the human cDNA for iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS). The transduced lymphocytes will be reinfused into the patients on a monthly basis. The study will determine the frequency of peripheral blood lymphocyte transduction and the half-life of the infused cells. Evaluation of patients will include measurement of blood levels of IDS enzyme, assessment of metabolic correction by urinary glycosaminoglycan levels, clinical response of the disease, and monitoring for potential toxicity. This Phase I study is to demonstrate the safety of the L2SN-mediated gene therapy and to provide a preliminary evaluation of clinical efficacy. (Protocol #9409-087)
Appendix D-105. Drs. James Economou, John Glaspy, and William McBride of the University of California, Los Angeles, California, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 25 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with metastatic melanoma. The protocol is an open label, Phase I trial to evaluate the safety and immunological effects of administering lethally irradiated allogeneic and autologous melanoma cells transduced with the retroviral vector, IL-7/HyTK, which encodes the gene for human interleukin-7 (IL-7). Subjects will receive 1 x 107 irradiated unmodified autologous tumor cells in combination with escalating doses of IL-7/HyTK transduced allogeneic melanoma cells (M24 cell line). The number of M24 cells administered will be adjusted based on the level of IL-7 expression. Subjects will receive 3 biweekly subcutaneous injections of M24 cells expressing 10, 100, or 1000 nanograms of IL-7/hour in vivo. A final cohort of 5 subjects will receive IL-7/HyTK transduced autologous cells. Subjects will be monitored for antitumor activity by skin tests, biopsy analysis, tumor-specific antibody activity, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor evaluation. Non-immunologic parameters will also be monitored. (Protocol #9503-101)
Appendix D-106. Dr. Jack A. Roth, MD Anderson Cancer Center, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 42 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with refractory non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Subjects will receive direct intratumoral injection of a replication-defective type 5 adenovirus vector, AD5CMV-p53, to deliver the normal human p53 tumor suppressor gene. The E1 region of AD5CMV-p53 has been replaced with a p53 expression cassette containing the human cytomegalovirus promoter (CMV). Subjects will be divided into 2 treatment groups: (1) 21 subjects will receive Ad5CMV-p53 alone, and (2) 21 subjects will receive Ad5CMV-p53 in combination with cisplatin. Following vector administration, subjects will be isolated for 96 hours during which time, assays will be conducted to demonstrate the lack of shedding of adenovirus vector. The objectives of this study are determine: (1) the maximum tolerated dose of AD5CMV-p53, (2) qualitative and quantitative toxicity related to vector administration, and (3) biologic activity.
Prior to administration, adenovirus vector stocks will be screened for p53 mutants using the SAOS osteosarcoma cell assay that was submitted by Dr. Roth on June 23, 1995. This biologic assay compares the activity of a standard stock of Adp53 vector to the activity of newly produced stocks. The standard stock of Adp53 will be defined as mediating cell death in 100% of SAOS cells (human osteosarcoma cell line with homozygous p53 deletion) at an MOI of 50:1 (titer > 5 x 1010) on day 5 of culture. The sensitivity of the assay for detecting inactive (presumed mutant) Adp53 vector will be determined by adding increasing amounts of Adluc (control adenovirus vector containing the luciferase gene) to the Adp53 stock to determine the percentage of inactive vector required to decrease growth inhibition of SAOS cells mediated by Adp53. The test lot of Adp53 will be tested for its ability to inhibit SAOS in a 5 day assay. Significant loss of inhibitory activity compared with the standard would indicate an unacceptable level of inactive (presumed mutant) vector. (Protocol #9406-079)
Appendix D-107A. Dr. Gary Clayman. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 21 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Subjects will receive direct intratumoral injection of a replication-defective type 5 adenovirus vector, AD5CMV-p53, to deliver the normal human p53 tumor suppressor gene. The E1 region of AD5CMV-p53 has been replaced with a p53 expression cassette containing the human cytomegalovirus promoter (CMV). Subjects will be divided into 2 treatment groups: (1) those with non-resectable tumors, and (2) those with surgically accessible tumors. Subjects will receive multiple injections of vector in each dose-escalation cohort. Following vector administration, subjects will be isolated for 48 hours during which time, assays will be conducted to demonstrate the lack of shedding of adenovirus vector. The objectives of the study are to determine: (1) the maximum tolerated dose of AD5CMV-p53, (2) qualitative and quantitative toxicity related to vector administration, and (3) biologic activity.
Prior to administration, adenovirus vector stocks will be screened for p53 mutants using the SAOS osteosarcoma cell assay that was submitted by Dr. Roth on June 23, 1995. This biologic assay compares the activity of a standard stock of Adp53 vector to the activity of newly produced stocks. The standard stock of Adp53 will be defined as mediating cell death in 100% of SAOS cells (human osteosarcoma cell line with homozygous p53 deletion) at an MOI of 50:1 (titer > 5x1010) on day 5 of culture. The sensitivity of the assay for detecting inactive (presumed mutant) Adp53 vector will be determined by adding increasing amounts of Adluc to the Adp53 stock to determine the percentage of inactive vector required to decrease growth inhibition of SAOS cells mediated by Adp53. The test lot of Adp53 will be tested for its ability to inhibit SAOS in a 5 day assay. Significant loss of inhibitory activity compared with the standard would indicate an unacceptable level of inactive (presumed mutant) vector. (Protocol #9412-096)
Appendix D-107B. Drs. Bernard A. Fox and Walter J. Urba of Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 18 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma or melanoma. Autologous tumor cells will be surgically removed, transduced in vitro with the cationic liposome plasmid vector, VCL-1005, which encodes human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B7 and beta-2 microglobulin. Subjects will receive subcutaneous injection of lethally irradiated transduced cells in one limb. The contralateral limb will be injected with lethally irradiated untransduced tumor cells in combination with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Approximately 21 days following tumor cell injection, subjects will undergo lymphadenectomy for subsequent in vitro expansion of anti-CD3 activated lymphocytes. Activated lymphocytes will be adoptively transferred on approximately day 35 in combination with a 5-day course of interleukin-2 (IL-2). On approximately day 45, subjects will receive a second cycle of IL-2. The objectives of this study are to determine: (1) the safety of administering anti-CD3 activated antitumor effector T cells in draining lymph nodes, and (2) whether HLA-B7/β-2 gene transfer augments the sensitization of anti-tumor effector T-cells in draining lymph nodes. (Protocol 9506-108)
Appendix D-108. Dr. Mitchell S. Steiner, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee, and Dr. Jeffrey T. Holt, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 15 male subjects (35 to 75 years of age) with metastatic prostate cancer. Malignant cells obtained from advanced prostate cancer subjects have been demonstrated to express high levels of the protooncogene c-myc in vivo. The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) long terminal repeat (LTR) is expressed at high levels in prostate tissue. Following removal of malignant cells via biopsy, subjects will receive a single transrectal ultrasound-guided intraprostate quadrant injection of the retrovirus vector, XM6:MMTV-antisense c-myc, for 4 consecutive days at the site of the original biopsy. The objectives of this Phase I study are to: (1) quantitatively assess the uptake and expression of XM6:MMTV-antisense c-myc by prostate cancer cells in vivo, (2) determine whether c-myc gene expression is prostate tumor-specific, (3) assess safety of intraprostate injection of XM6:MMTV-antisense c-myc, and (4) biologic efficacy (antisense inhibition of tumor growth). (Protocol #9509-123)
Appendix D-109. Drs. Ronald G. Crystal, Edward Hershowitz, and Michael Lieberman, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 18 subjects (18 to 70 years of age) with metastatic colon carcinoma with liver metastases. In this Phase I dose-escalation study, subjects will receive computed tomography (CT)-guided intratumoral injections of the adenovirus vector, AdGVCD.10, into the same hepatic metastasis in 4 equal volumes (100 microliters), each with a separate entry into the liver. This dosage schedule will be performed on Days 1 and 7. 5-fluorocytosine (200 milligrams/ kilogram/24 hours) will be administered orally in 4 equal doses starting on day 2 and continuing through the time of laparotomy. The objectives of this study are to: (1) determine the dose-dependent toxicity of direct administration of AdGVCD.10 to hepatic metastases combined with oral administration of 5-fluorocytosine, (2) quantitatively assess transfer and expression of the cytosine deaminase gene in target cells, and (3) determine the biologic effects of direct ADGVCD.10 administration to hepatic metastases. (Protocol #9509-125)
Appendix D-110. Drs. Andres Berchuck and H. Kim Lyerly of Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 18 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with refractory metastatic ovarian cancer. Autologous tumor cells obtained from ascites or surgically removed tumor will be transduced with the cationic liposome vector, PMP6A-IL2, that contains an adeno-associated virus derived plasmid DNA, a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, and interleukin-2 (IL-2) complementary DNA (cDNA). In this dose-escalation study, subjects will undergo 4 cycles of intradermal injections (thigh or abdomen) of ex vivo transduced, lethally irradiated tumor cells in an attempt to induce an antitumor response. The objectives of the study are to evaluate: (1) the safety of intradermally injected transduced cells, and (2) antitumor response following therapy. (Protocol #9506-110)
Appendix D-111. Drs. Stephen L. Eck and Jane B. Alavi of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 18 subjects (>18 years of age) with malignant glioma. The adenovirus vector encoding the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene, H5.020RSVTK, will be injected by a stereotactic guided technique into brain tumors. Afterwards, the patients will receive systemic ganciclovir (GCV) treatment. Patients eligible to undergo a palliative debulking procedure will receive the same treatment followed by resection on day 7, and a second dose of the vector intra-operatively. Brain tissues removed by resection will be analyzed for adenovirus infection, transgene expression, and signs of inflammation. The size and metabolic activity of tumors will be monitored by scanning with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. The objective of the study is to evaluate the overall safety of this treatment and to gain insight into the parameters that may limit the general applicability of this approach. (Protocol #9409-089)
Appendix D-112. Drs. Robert Grossman and Savio Woo of the Baylor College of Medicine & Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 20 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with refractive central nervous system malignancies. Subjects will receive stereotaxic injections of a replication-defective, type 5 E1/E3-deleted adenovirus vector, ADV/RSV-tk, to deliver the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene to tumor cells. Expression of the HSV-TK gene is driven by a Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat (RSV-LTR). Subjects will receive a single time-course of intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) (14 consecutive days) following vector administration. Following demonstration of safety with the initial starting dose of 1 x 108 particles in 5 subjects, additional cohorts will receive between 5 x 108 and 1.5 x 109 particles. Each cohort will be monitored for toxicity for one month before administration of the next higher dose to subsequent cohorts. Subjects will be monitored for evidence of clinical efficacy by magnetic resonance imaging and/or computer tomography scans. The primary objective of this Phase I study is to determine the safety of vector administration. (Protocol #9412-098)
Appendix D-113. Drs. Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, and Mien-Chie Hung, of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, may conduct gene transfer experiments on a maximum of 24 adult patients (12 for each cancer) with metastatic breast or ovarian carcinoma. Overexpression of the HER-2/neu oncogene occurs in 30% of ovarian and breast cancers, and it is associated with enhanced metastatic potential, drug resistance, and poor survival. The E1A gene of the adenovirus type 5 functions as a tumor suppressor gene when transfected into cancer cells which overexpress the HER-2/neu oncogene. E1A expression induces down regulation of the level of the HER-2/neu oncoprotein by a transcriptional control mechanism. A plasmid, pE1A, encoding the adenovirus E1A gene with its own promoter will be administered as a DNA/lipid complex via the intraperitoneal or intrapleural route. The objectives of the study are: (1) to determine E1A gene transduction into malignant cells after the administration of E1A/lipid complex by intrapleural or intraperitoneal administration, (2) to determine whether E1A gene therapy can down-regulate HER-2/neu expression after intrapleural or intraperitoneal administration, (3) to determine the maximum biologically active dose (MBAD), or the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of E1A/lipid complex, (4) to determine the toxicity and tolerance of E1A/lipid complex administered into the pleural or peritoneal space, and to assess the reversibility of such toxicity, and (5) to evaluate tumor response. (Protocol #9512-137)
Appendix D-114. Drs. Keith L. Black and Habib Fakhrai of the University of California, Los Angeles, California, may conduct gene transfer experiments on 12 subjects (≥ 18 years of age) with glioblastoma multiform. An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) based plasmid vector, pCEP-4/TGF- β2 antisense, encoding antisense RNA will be used to inhibit TGF- β2 production. Tumor samples obtained from the patients at the time of clinically indicated surgery will be grown in culture to establish a cell line for each patient. The patients' tumor cells will be genetically altered with the pCEP-4/TGF-β2 vector to inhibit their secretion of TGF-β. Following completion of the traditional post surgical radiation therapy, the first cohort of patients will receive, at 3 week intervals, 4 injections of 5 x 106 irradiated gene modified autologous tumor cells. Subsequently, in dose escalation studies, the second cohort will receive 1 x 107 cells, and the third cohort, 2 x 107 cells. The results of this Phase I trial will be used to assess the safety of this form of gene therapy and may provide preliminary data to evaluate the potential utility of TGF- β2 antisense gene therapy in the management of gliomas. (Protocol #9512-138)
Appendix D-115. Dr. Ronald G. Crystal of New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York, may conduct gene transfer experiments on a total of 21 (with an option for an additional 5) normal males and female subjects, age ≥ 18 years. Replication-deficient adenovirus (Ad) vector previously has been used in a number of human gene therapy strategies to transfer genes in vivo for therapeutic purposes. The purpose of this protocol is to characterize the local (skin), systemic (blood), and distant compartment (lung) immunity in normal individuals after intradermal administration of a replication deficient Ad5-based vector, named AdGVCD.10, carrying the gene coding for the E. coli enzyme, cytosine deaminase (CD). Following intradermal administration of the vector to normal individuals, the skin, blood, and lung immune responses to the Ad vector and CD transgene will be evaluated over time. This vector has been safety administered intrahepatically ten times to five individuals with colon carcinoma. No adverse effects in Protocol #9509-125 have been observed. The present protocol will yield insights into normal human immune responses to both the Ad vector, as well as to a heterologous (i.e., non-human) gene product (CD). Note: This study is designed to answer basic biological questions regarding characterization of the immune responses to such vectors that have been previously documented. (Protocol #9701-171)
Appendix D-116. Dr. Daniel Rockey at Oregon State University and Dr. Walter Stamm at the University of Washington may conduct experiments to deliberately transfer a gene encoding tetracycline resistance from Chlamydia suis (a swine pathogen) into C. trachomatis (a human pathogen). This approval is specific to Drs. Rockey and Stamm and research with these resistant organisms may only occur under the conditions as specified by the NIH Director (72 FR 61661). This approval was effective as of September 24, 2007.
Appendix D-117. Dr. David Walker at the University of Texas Medical Branch may conduct experiments to deliberately introduce a gene encoding chloramphenicol resistance into Rickettsia conorii. This approval is specific to Dr. Walker and research with these resistant organisms may only occur under the conditions as specified by the NIH Director (73 FR 32719). This approval was effective as of April 7, 2008.
Appendix D-118. Dr. Harlan Caldwell at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories may conduct experiments to deliberately introduce a gene encoding tetracycline resistance into Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2. This approval is specific to Dr. Caldwell and research with this resistant organism may only occur under the conditions as specified by the NIH Director (76 FR 27653). This approval was effective as of April 26, 2010.
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While many experiments using Escherichia coli K-12, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Bacillus subtilis are currently exempt from the NIH Guidelines under Section III-F, Exempt Experiments, some derivatives of these host-vector systems were previously classified as Host-Vector 1 Systems or Host-Vector 2 Systems. A listing of those systems follows:
The following plasmids are accepted as the vector components of certified B. subtilis systems: pUB110, pC194, pS194, pSA2100, pE194, pT127, pUB112, pC221, pC223, and pAB124. B. subtilis strains RUB 331 and BGSC 1S53 have been certified as the host component of Host-Vector 1 systems based on these plasmids.
The asporogenic mutant derivative of Bacillus subtilis, ASB 298, with the following plasmids as the vector component: pUB110, pC194, pS194, pSA2100, pE194, pT127, pUB112, pC221, pC223, and pAB124.
The following sterile strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, all of which have the ste-VC9 mutation, SHY1, SHY2, SHY3, and SHY4. The following plasmids are certified for use: YIp1, YEp2, YEp4, YIp5, YEp6, YRp7, YEp20, YEp21, YEp24, YIp25, YIp26, YIp27, YIp28, YIp29, YIp30, YIp31, YIp32, and YIp33.
The Escherichia coli K-12 strain chi-1776. The following plasmids are certified for use: pSC101, pMB9, pBR313, pBR322, pDH24, pBR325, pBR327, pGL101, and pHB1. The following Escherichia coli/S. cerevisiae hybrid plasmids are certified as EK2 vectors when used in Escherichia coli chi-1776 or in the sterile yeast strains, SHY1, SHY2, SHY3, and SHY4: YIpI, YEp2, YEp4, YIp5, YEp6, YRp7, YEp20, YEp21, YEP24, YIp25, YIp26, YIp27, YIp28, YIp29, YIp30, YIp31, YIp32, and YIp33.
The following are certified EK2 systems based on bacteriophage lambda:
Vector Host
λgt WESλB' DP50supF
λgt WESλB* DP50supF
λgt ZJ virλB' Escherichia coli K-12
λgtALO·λB DP50supF
Charon 3A DP50 or DP50supF
Charon 4A DP50 or DP50supF
Charon 16A DP50 or DP50supF
Charon 21A DP50supF
Charon 23A DP50 or DP50supF
Charon 24A DP50 or DP50supF
Escherichia coli K-12 strains chi-2447 and chi-2281 are certified for use with lambda vectors that are certified for use with strain DP50 or DP50supF provided that the su-strain not be used as a propagation host.
The following specified strains of Neurospora crassa which have been modified to prevent aerial dispersion:
In1 (inositol-less) strains 37102, 37401, 46316, 64001, and 89601. Csp-1 strain UCLA37 and csp-2 strains FS 590, UCLA101 (these are conidial separation mutants).
Eas strain UCLA191 (an "easily wettable" mutant).
The following Streptomyces species: Streptomyces coelicolor, S. lividans, S. parvulus, and S. griseus. The following are accepted as vector components of certified Streptomyces Host-Vector 1 systems: Streptomyces plasmids SCP2, SLP1.2, pIJ101, actinophage phi C31, and their derivatives.
Pseudomonas putida strains KT2440 with plasmid vectors pKT262, pKT263, and pKT264.
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Appendix F specifies the containment to be used for the deliberate cloning of genes coding for the biosynthesis of molecules toxic for vertebrates. The cloning of genes coding for molecules toxic for vertebrates that have an LD50 of < 100 nanograms per kilograms body weight (e.g., microbial toxins such as the botulinum toxins, tetanus toxin, diphtheria toxin, Shigella dysenteriae neurotoxin) are covered under Section III-B-1 (Experiments Involving the Cloning of Toxin Molecules with LD50 of Less than 100 Nanograms Per Kilogram Body Weight) and require Institutional Biosafety Committee and NIH OSP approval before initiation. No specific restrictions shall apply to the cloning of genes if the protein specified by the gene has an LD50 ≥ 100 micrograms per kilograms of body weight. Experiments involving genes coding for toxin molecules with an LD50 of < 100 micrograms per kilograms and > 100 nanograms per kilograms body weight require Institutional Biosafety Committee approval and registration with NIH OSP prior to initiating the experiments. A list of toxin molecules classified as to LD50 is available from NIH OSP. Testing procedures for determining toxicity of toxin molecules not on the list are available from the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by submitting a request for this information to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). The results of such tests shall be forwarded to NIH OSP, which will consult with ad hoc experts, prior to inclusion of the molecules on the list (see Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(c), Minor Actions).
Appendix F-II-A. Cloning of genes coding for molecules toxic for vertebrates that have an LD50 of >100 nanograms per kilograms and <1000 nanograms per kilograms body weight (e.g., abrin, Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin) may proceed under Biosafety Level (BL) 2 + EK2 or BL3 + EK1 containment conditions.
Appendix F-II-B. Cloning of genes for the biosynthesis of molecules toxic for vertebrates that have an LD50 of >1 microgram per kilogram and <100 microgram per kilogram body weight may proceed under BL1 + EK1 containment conditions (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus alpha toxin, Staphylococcus aureus beta toxin, ricin, Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A, Bordetella pertussis toxin, the lethal factor of Bacillus anthracis, the Pasteurella pestis murine toxins, the oxygen-labile hemolysins such as streptolysin O, and certain neurotoxins present in snake venoms and other venoms).
Appendix F-II-C. Some enterotoxins are substantially more toxic when administered enterally than parenterally. The following enterotoxins shall be subject to BL1 + EK1 containment conditions: cholera toxin, the heat labile toxins of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and other related proteins that may be identified by neutralization with an antiserum monospecific for cholera toxin, and the heat stable toxins of Escherichia coli and of Yersinia enterocolitica.
Requests involving the cloning of genes coding for toxin molecules for vertebrates at an LD50 of <100 nanograms per kilogram body weight in host-vector systems other than Escherichia coli K-12 will be evaluated by NIH OSP in consultation with ad hoc toxin experts (see Sections III-B-1, Experiments Involving the Cloning of Toxin Molecules with LD50 of Less than 100 Nanograms Per Kilogram Body Weight, and IV-C-1-b-(2)-(c), Minor Actions).
An updated list of experiments involving the deliberate formation of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules containing genes coding for toxins lethal for vertebrates at an LD50 of <100 nanograms per kilogram body weight is available from the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by submitting a request for this information to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
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Appendix G specifies physical containment for standard laboratory experiments and defines Biosafety Level 1 through Biosafety Level 4. For large-scale (over 10 liters) research or production, Appendix K (Physical Containment for Large Scale Uses of Organisms Containing Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules) supersedes Appendix G. Appendix K defines Good Large Scale Practice through Biosafety Level 3 - Large Scale. For certain work with plants, Appendix L (Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Plants) supersedes Appendix G. Appendix L defines Biosafety Levels 1 through 4 - Plants. For certain work with animals, Appendix M (Physical and Biological Containment for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecule Research Involving Animals) supersedes Appendix G. Appendix M defines Biosafety Levels 1 through 4 - Animals.
The first principle of containment is strict adherence to good microbiological practices (see Appendices G-III-A through G-III-J, Footnotes and References of Appendix G). Consequently, all personnel directly or indirectly involved in experiments using recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall receive adequate instruction (see Sections IV-B-1-h, Responsibilities of the Institution--General Information, and IV-B-7-d, Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator Prior to Initiating Research). At a minimum, these instructions include training in aseptic techniques and in the biology of the organisms used in the experiments so that the potential biohazards can be understood and appreciated.
Any research group working with agents that are known or potential biohazards shall have an emergency plan that describes the procedures to be followed if an accident contaminates personnel or the environment. The Principal Investigator shall ensure that everyone in the laboratory is familiar with both the potential hazards of the work and the emergency plan (see Sections IV-B-7-d, Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator Prior to Initiating Research and IV-B-7-e, Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator During the Conduct of the Research). If a research group is working with a known pathogen for which there is an effective vaccine, the vaccine should be made available to all workers. Serological monitoring, when clearly appropriate, will be provided (see Section IV-B-1-f, Responsibilities of the Institution--General Information).
The Laboratory Safety Monograph (see Appendix G-III-O, Footnotes and References of Appendix G) and Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (see Appendix G-III-A, Footnotes and References of Appendix G) describe practices, equipment, and facilities in detail.
The objective of physical containment is to confine organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and to reduce the potential for exposure of the laboratory worker, persons outside of the laboratory, and the environment to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Physical containment is achieved through the use of laboratory practices, containment equipment, and special laboratory design. Emphasis is placed on primary means of physical containment which are provided by laboratory practices and containment equipment. Special laboratory design provides a secondary means of protection against the accidental release of organisms outside the laboratory or to the environment. Special laboratory design is used primarily in facilities in which experiments of moderate to high potential hazard are performed.
Combinations of laboratory practices, containment equipment, and special laboratory design can be made to achieve different levels of physical containment. Four levels of physical containment, which are designated as BL1, BL2, BL3, and BL4 are described. It should be emphasized that the descriptions and assignments of physical containment detailed below are based on existing approaches to containment of pathogenic organisms (see Appendix G-III-A, Footnotes and References of Appendix G). The National Cancer Institute describes three levels for research on oncogenic viruses which roughly correspond to our BL2, BL3, and BL4 levels (see Appendix G-III-C, Footnotes and References of Appendix G).
It is recognized that several different combinations of laboratory practices, containment equipment, and special laboratory design may be appropriate for containment of specific research activities. The NIH Guidelines, therefore, allow alternative selections of primary containment equipment within facilities that have been designed to provide BL3 and BL4 levels of physical containment. The selection of alternative methods of primary containment is dependent, however, on the level of biological containment provided by the host-vector system used in the experiment. Consideration will be given to other combinations which achieve an equivalent level of containment (see Sections IV-C-1-b-(1), Major Actions and IV-C-1-b-(2), Minor Actions).
Appendix G-II-A-1-a. Access to the laboratory is limited or restricted at the discretion of the Principal Investigator when experiments are in progress.
Appendix G-II-A-1-b. Work surfaces are decontaminated once a day and after any spill of viable material.
Appendix G-II-A-1-c. All contaminated liquid or solid wastes are decontaminated before disposal.
Appendix G-II-A-1-d. Mechanical pipetting devices are used; mouth pipetting is prohibited.
Appendix G-II-A-1-e. Eating, drinking, smoking, and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the work area. Food may be stored in cabinets or refrigerators designated and used for this purpose only.
Appendix G-II-A-1-f. Persons wash their hands: (i) after they handle materials involving organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and animals, and (ii) before exiting the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-A-1-g. All procedures are performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols.
Appendix G-II-A-1-h. In the interest of good personal hygiene, facilities (e.g., hand washing sink, shower, changing room) and protective clothing (e.g., uniforms, laboratory coats) shall be provided that are appropriate for the risk of exposure to viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix G-II-A-2-a. Contaminated materials that are to be decontaminated at a site away from the laboratory are placed in a durable leak-proof container which is closed before being removed from the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-A-2-b. An insect and rodent control program is in effect.
Appendix G-II-A-3-a. Special containment equipment is generally not required for manipulations of agents assigned to BL1.
Appendix G-II-A-4-a. The laboratory is designed so that it can be easily cleaned.
Appendix G-II-A-4-b. Bench tops are impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.
Appendix G-II-A-4-c. Laboratory furniture is sturdy. Spaces between benches, cabinets, and equipment are accessible for cleaning.
Appendix G-II-A-4-d. Each laboratory contains a sink for hand washing.
Appendix G-II-A-4-e. If the laboratory has windows that open, they are fitted with fly screens.
Appendix G-II-B-1-a. Access to the laboratory is limited or restricted by the Principal Investigator when work with organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules is in progress.
Appendix G-II-B-1-b. Work surfaces are decontaminated at least once a day and after any spill of viable material.
Appendix G-II-B-1-c. All contaminated liquid or solid wastes are decontaminated before disposal.
Appendix G-II-B-1-d. Mechanical pipetting devices are used; mouth pipetting is prohibited.
Appendix G-II-B-1-e. Eating, drinking, smoking, and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the work area. Food may be stored in cabinets or refrigerators designated and used for this purpose only.
Appendix G-II-B-1-f. Persons wash their hands: (i) after handling materials involving organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and animals, and (ii) when exiting the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-B-1-g. All procedures are performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols.
Appendix G-II-B-1-h. Experiments of lesser biohazard potential can be conducted concurrently in carefully demarcated areas of the same laboratory.
Appendix G-II-B-2-a. Contaminated materials that are to be decontaminated at a site away from the laboratory are placed in a durable leak-proof container which is closed before being removed from the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-B-2-b. The Principal Investigator limits access to the laboratory. The Principal Investigator has the final responsibility for assessing each circumstance and determining who may enter or work in the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-B-2-c. The Principal Investigator establishes policies and procedures whereby only persons who have been advised of the potential hazard and meet any specific entry requirements (e.g., immunization) may enter the laboratory or animal rooms.
Appendix G-II-B-2-d. When the organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules in use in the laboratory require special provisions for entry (e.g., vaccination), a hazard warning sign incorporating the universal biosafety symbol is posted on the access door to the laboratory work area. The hazard warning sign identifies the agent, lists the name and telephone number of the Principal Investigator or other responsible person(s), and indicates the special requirement(s) for entering the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-B-2-e. An insect and rodent control program is in effect.
Appendix G-II-B-2-f. Laboratory coats, gowns, smocks, or uniforms are worn while in the laboratory. Before exiting the laboratory for non-laboratory areas (e.g., cafeteria, library, administrative offices), this protective clothing is removed and left in the laboratory or covered with a clean coat not used in the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-B-2-g. Animals not involved in the work being performed are not permitted in the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-B-2-h. Special care is taken to avoid skin contamination with organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules; gloves should be worn when handling experimental animals and when skin contact with the agent is unavoidable.
Appendix G-II-B-2-i. All wastes from laboratories and animal rooms are appropriately decontaminated before disposal.
Appendix G-II-B-2-j. Hypodermic needles and syringes are used only for parenteral injection and aspiration of fluids from laboratory animals and diaphragm bottles. Only needle-locking syringes or disposable syringe-needle units (i.e., needle is integral to the syringe) are used for the injection or aspiration of fluids containing organisms that contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Extreme caution should be used when handling needles and syringes to avoid autoinoculation and the generation of aerosols during use and disposal. Needles should not be bent, sheared, replaced in the needle sheath or guard, or removed from the syringe following use. The needle and syringe should be promptly placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably autoclaved, before discard or reuse.
Appendix G-II-B-2-k. Spills and accidents which result in overt exposures to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are immediately reported to the Institutional Biosafety Committee and NIH OSP. Reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment are provided as appropriate and written records are maintained.
Appendix G-II-B-2-l. When appropriate, considering the agent(s) handled, baseline serum samples for laboratory and other at-risk personnel are collected and stored. Additional serum specimens may be collected periodically depending on the agents handled or the function of the facility.
Appendix G-II-B-2-m. A biosafety manual is prepared or adopted. Personnel are advised of special hazards and are required to read and follow instructions on practices and procedures.
Appendix G-II-B-3-a. Biological safety cabinets (Class I or II) (see Appendix G-III-L, Footnotes and References of Appendix G) or other appropriate personal protective or physical containment devices are used whenever:
Appendix G-II-B-3-a-(1). Procedures with a high potential for creating aerosols are conducted (see Appendix G-III-O, Footnotes and References of Appendix G). These may include centrifuging, grinding, blending, vigorous shaking or mixing, sonic disruption, opening containers of materials whose internal pressures may be different from ambient pressures, intranasal inoculation of animals, and harvesting infected tissues from animals or eggs.
Appendix G-II-B-3-a-(2). High concentrations or large volumes of organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are used. Such materials may be centrifuged in the open laboratory if sealed beads or centrifuge safety cups are used and if they are opened only in a biological safety cabinet.
Appendix G-II-B-4-a. The laboratory is designed so that it can be easily cleaned.
Appendix G-II-B-4-b. Bench tops are impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.
Appendix G-II-B-4-c. Laboratory furniture is sturdy and spaces between benches, cabinets, and equipment are accessible for cleaning.
Appendix G-II-B-4-d. Each laboratory contains a sink for hand washing.
Appendix G-II-B-4-e. If the laboratory has windows that open, they are fitted with fly screens.
Appendix G-II-B-4-f. An autoclave for decontaminating laboratory wastes is available.
Appendix G-II-C-1-a. Work surfaces are decontaminated at least once a day and after any spill of viable material.
Appendix G-II-C-1-b. All contaminated liquid or solid wastes are decontaminated before disposal.
Appendix G-II-C-1-c. Mechanical pipetting devices are used; mouth pipetting is prohibited.
Appendix G-II-C-1-d. Eating, drinking, smoking, storing food, and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the work area.
Appendix G-II-C-1-e. Persons wash their hands: (i) after handling materials involving organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, and handling animals, and (ii) when exiting the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-C-1-f. All procedures are performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols.
Appendix G-II-C-1-g. Persons under 16 years of age shall not enter the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-C-1-h. If experiments involving other organisms which require lower levels of containment are to be conducted in the same laboratory concurrently with experiments requiring BL3 level physical containment, they shall be conducted in accordance with all BL3 level laboratory practices.
Appendix G-II-C-2-a. Laboratory doors are kept closed when experiments are in progress.
Appendix G-II-C-2-b. Contaminated materials that are to be decontaminated at a site away from the laboratory are placed in a durable leak-proof container which is closed before being removed from the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-C-2-c. The Principal Investigator controls access to the laboratory and restricts access to persons whose presence is required for program or support purposes. The Principal Investigator has the final responsibility for assessing each circumstance and determining who may enter or work in the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-C-2-d. The Principal Investigator establishes policies and procedures whereby only persons who have been advised of the potential biohazard, who meet any specific entry requirements (e.g., immunization), and who comply with all entry and exit procedures entering the laboratory or animal rooms.
Appendix G-II-C-2-e. When organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules or experimental animals are present in the laboratory or containment module, a hazard warning sign incorporating the universal biosafety symbol is posted on all laboratory and animal room access doors. The hazard warning sign identifies the agent, lists the name and telephone number of the Principal Investigator or other responsible person(s), and indicates any special requirements for entering the laboratory such as the need for immunizations, respirators, or other personal protective measures.
Appendix G-II-C-2-f. All activities involving organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are conducted in biological safety cabinets or other physical containment devices within the containment module. No work in open vessels is conducted on the open bench.
Appendix G-II-C-2-g. The work surfaces of biological safety cabinets and other containment equipment are decontaminated when work with organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules is finished. Plastic-backed paper toweling used on non-perforated work surfaces within biological safety cabinets facilitates clean-up.
Appendix G-II-C-2-h. An insect and rodent program is in effect.
Appendix G-II-C-2-i. Laboratory clothing that protects street clothing (e.g., solid front or wrap-around gowns, scrub suits, coveralls) is worn in the laboratory. Laboratory clothing is not worn outside the laboratory, and it is decontaminated prior to laundering or disposal.
Appendix G-II-C-2-j. Special care is taken to avoid skin contamination with contaminated materials; gloves should be worn when handling infected animals and when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable.
Appendix G-II-C-2-k. Molded surgical masks or respirators are worn in rooms containing experimental animals.
Appendix G-II-C-2-l. Animals and plants not related to the work being conducted are not permitted in the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-C-2-m. Laboratory animals held in a BL3 area shall be housed in partial-containment caging systems, such as Horsfall units (see Appendix G-III-K, Footnotes and References of Appendix G), open cages placed in ventilated enclosures, solid-wall and -bottom cages covered by filter bonnets or solid-wall and -bottom cages placed on holding racks equipped with ultraviolet in radiation lamps and reflectors.
Note: Conventional caging systems may be used provided that all personnel wear appropriate personal protective devices. These protective devices shall include at a minimum wrap-around gowns, head covers, gloves, shoe covers, and respirators. All personnel shall shower on exit from areas where these devices are required.
Appendix G-II-C-2-n. All wastes from laboratories and animal rooms
are appropriately decontaminated before disposal. For research
involving mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1
virus, liquid effluents should
be chemically disinfected or heat-treated, or collected and processed in a
central effluent decontamination system. Decontamination of shower and toilet
effluents is not required,
provided appropriate practices and procedures are in place for primary containment of mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus. Animal tissues,
carcasses, and bedding originating from the animal room must be decontaminated by an effective and validated method (e.g.,
use of an autoclave) preferably before leaving the containment barrier. If waste must be transported, special practices should
be developed for transport
of infectious materials to designated alternate
location(s) within the facility.
Appendix G-II-C-2-o. Vacuum lines are protected with high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters and liquid disinfectant traps.
Appendix G-II-C-2-p. Hypodermic needles and syringes are used only for parenteral injection and aspiration of fluids from laboratory animals and diaphragm bottles. Only needle locking syringes or disposable syringe-needle units (i.e., needle is integral to the syringe) are used for the injection or aspiration of fluids containing organisms that contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Extreme caution should be used when handling needles and syringes to avoid autoinoculation and the generation of aerosols during use and disposal. Needles should not be bent, sheared, replaced in the needle sheath or guard, or removed from the syringe following use. The needle and syringe should be promptly placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably by autoclaving, before discard or reuse.
Appendix G-II-C-2-q. Spills and accidents which result in overt or potential exposures to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are immediately reported to the Biological Safety Officer, Institutional Biosafety Committee, and NIH OSP. Reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Appropriate medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment are provided and written records are maintained.
Appendix G-II-C-2-r. Baseline serum samples for all laboratory and other at-risk personnel should be collected and stored in accordance with institutional policy and at least for the time period in which the personnel continues to work with the agent at biosafety level 3 containment. Such samples must be collected and stored for laboratory and other at-risk personnel who will work with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus. Additional serum specimens may be collected periodically depending on the agents handled or the function of the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-C-2-s. A biosafety manual is prepared or adopted. Personnel are advised of special hazards and are required to read and follow the instructions on practices and procedures.
Appendix G-II-C-2-t. Alternative Selection of Containment Equipment (BL3)
Experimental procedures involving a host-vector system that provides a one-step higher level of biological containment than that specified may be conducted in the BL3 laboratory using containment equipment specified for the BL2 level of physical containment. Experimental procedures involving a host-vector system that provides a one-step lower level of biological containment than that specified may be conducted in the BL3 laboratory using containment equipment specified for the BL4 level of physical containment. Alternative combination of containment safeguards are shown in Appendix G-Table 1, Possible Alternate Combinations of Physical and Biological Containment Safeguards.
Appendix G-II-C-3-a. Biological safety cabinets (Class I, II, or III) (see Appendix G-III-L, Footnotes and References of Appendix G) or other appropriate combinations of personal protective or physical containment devices (e.g., special protective clothing, masks, gloves, respirators, centrifuge safety cups, sealed centrifuge rotors, and containment caging for animals) are used for all activities with organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules which pose a threat of aerosol exposure. These include: manipulation of cultures and of those clinical or environmental materials which may be a source of aerosols; the aerosol challenge of experimental animals; the harvesting of infected tissues or fluids from experimental animals and embryonate eggs; and the necropsy of experimental animals.
Appendix G-II-C-4-a. The laboratory is separated from areas which are open to unrestricted traffic flow within the building. Passage through two sets of doors is the basic requirement for entry into the laboratory from access corridors or other contiguous areas. Physical separation of the high containment laboratory from access corridors or other laboratories or activities may be provided by a double-door clothes change room (showers may be included), airlock, or other access facility which requires passage through two sets of doors before entering the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-C-4-b. The interior surfaces of walls, floors, and ceilings are water resistant so that they can be easily cleaned. Penetrations in these surfaces are sealed or capable of being sealed to facilitate decontaminating the area.
Appendix G-II-C-4-c. Bench tops are impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.
Appendix G-II-C-4-d. Laboratory furniture is sturdy and spaces between benches, cabinets, and equipment are accessible for cleaning.
Appendix G-II-C-4-e. Each laboratory contains a sink for hand washing. The sink is foot, elbow, or automatically operated and is located near the laboratory exit door.
Appendix G-II-C-4-f. Windows in the laboratory are closed and sealed.
Appendix G-II-C-4-g. Access doors to the laboratory or containment module are self-closing.
Appendix G-II-C-4-h. An autoclave for decontaminating laboratory wastes is available preferably within the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-C-4-i. A
ducted exhaust air ventilation system is provided. This system creates directional airflow that
draws air into the laboratory from uncontaminated spaces surrounding the laboratory. The exhaust air is not recirculated to any
other area of the building, is discharged to the outside, and is dispersed away
from the occupied areas and air intakes.
Personnel shall verify that the direction of the airflow (into the
laboratory) is proper. The exhaust air from the laboratory room may
be discharged to the outside without being filtered or otherwise treated unless research
is being conducted with mammaliantransmissible HPAI H5N1 virus. For research
with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus, exhaust air must be HEPA filtered and there must be sealed
ductwork from the containment barrier to the filter. In addition, the air handling
system shall be designed such that under failure conditions, the airflow will not be reversed and periodic
verification, with annual
verification of the HEPA filters,
shall be performed. Finally, backup power shall be available for critical controls
and instrumentation necessary
to maintain containment.
Appendix G-II-C-4-j. The high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filtered exhaust air from Class I or Class II biological safety cabinets is discharged directly to the outside or through the building exhaust system. Exhaust air from Class I or II biological safety cabinets may be recirculated within the laboratory if the cabinet is tested and certified at least every twelve months. If the HEPA-filtered exhaust air from Class I or II biological safety cabinets is to be discharged to the outside through the building exhaust air system, it is connected to this system in a manner (e.g., thimble unit connection (see Appendix G-III-L, Footnotes and References of Appendix G)) that avoids any interference with the air balance of the cabinets or building exhaust system.
Appendix G-II-C-5-a-(1). In addition to standard BL3 practices, the following additional personal protective equipment and practices shall be used: (1) Powered Air-purifying Respirators (PAPR) are worn. (2) Street clothes are changed to protective suit (e.g., wrap-back disposable gown, olefin protective suit). (3) Double gloves (disposable) are worn. For research with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 viruses, protective sleeves shall be worn over the gown while working in a biosafety cabinet. (4) Appropriate shoe coverings are worn (e.g., double disposable shoe coverings, single disposable shoe coverings if worn with footwear dedicated to BL3 enhanced laboratory use, or impervious boots or shoes of rubber or other suitable material that can be decontaminated). (5) Showers prior to exiting the laboratory should be considered depending on risk assessment of research activities, with the exception that showers prior to exiting the laboratory are required for all research with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus, including care of animals infected with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus. (6) For research with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus, prior to leaving containment, personal protective equipment shall be sprayed or wiped down with a disinfectant that has activity against influenza viruses. (7) In order to promote adherence to proper practices, including proper removal of personal protective equipment, and reporting of any loss of containment or exposures, at least two individuals should be in the laboratory at all times when research with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus involves experimental procedures with animals or sharps, or when procedures are being conducted whereby the generation of aerosols is reasonably anticipated. Removal of personal protective equipment should be observed.
Appendix
G-II-C-5-a-(2). As proper
training of laboratory workers is an essential component of biosafety,
retraining and periodic reassessments (at least annually) in BL3 enhanced
practices, especially the proper use of respiratory equipment, such as PAPRs,
and clothing changes are required. For research
with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1
virus, laboratory workers
shall be required to sign a document
acknowledging their understanding of and intent to adhere to biosafety, biosecurity, and occupational health requirements. This
document shall include a statement
that the laboratory worker agrees
to report any exposures or accidents, including
those by other individuals in the lab.
Appendix G-II-C-5-a-(3). Reporting of all spills and accidents, even if relatively minor, is required as described in Appendix G-II-C-2-q.
Appendix G-II-C-5-a-(4). To avoid inadvertent cross contamination of 1918 H1N1, HPAI H5N1 or human H2N2 (1957-1968): (1) Containment facilities and practices appropriate for highest Risk Group virus shall be used at all times with lower Risk Group viruses, when studied in the same laboratory room. (2) Tissue cultures with these viruses shall be conducted at separate times (temporal spacing) in the same room. (3) Separate reagents shall be used to minimize risk of cross contamination. (4) A laboratory worker shall not perform concurrent influenza virus experiments that carry the risk of unintended reassortment among 1918 H1N1, human H2N2 (1957-1968), HPAI H5N1 and other human influenza viruses. (5) Two or more laboratory workers shall not perform within the same work area simultaneous influenza virus experiments that carry the risk of unintended segment reassortment between 1918 H1N1, or HPAI H5N1, or human H2N2 (1957-1968) and other human influenza viruses. (6) Between experiments good biosafety decontamination practices (e.g., surface and biosafety cabinet surface decontamination according to standard BL3 procedures) shall be used and there shall be a thirty minute wait period after decontamination before equipment is used for experiments with any other influenza A viruses. (7) Between experiments, in addition to decontamination of the work area, clothing changes and PAPR disinfection shall be performed prior to handling a different influenza virus in the same work area. (Shower-out capability may be required by USDA/APHIS for certain experiments with HPAI H5N1.)
Appendix G-II-C-5-a-(5). Continued
susceptibility of the reassortant influenza
viruses containing genes and/or segments from 1918 H1N1, HPAI H5N1, and human
H2N2 (1957-1968) to antiviral agents shall be established by sequence analysis
or suitable biological assays. After
manipulation of genes that influence sensitivity to antiviral agents,
susceptibility to these agents shall be reconfirmed. If susceptibility to neuraminidase
inhibitors or other effective antiviral agents
is lost as a result
of genetic modification or serial passage of a
mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus, then any research
with this antiviral
agent resistant virus shall be stopped
and research shall only proceed
after review by the NIH (as
outlined in Section III-A-l-a) or the appropriate federal regulatory agency.
Guidance provided in Appendix
G-II-C and Appendix M-II-C is
applicable with the following emphasis on standard BL3 or BL3-N containment or
additional enhancements.
Appendix G-II-C-5-b-(1). Research with small animals shall be conducted in a class II biosafety cabinet. Small animals such as rodents (e.g. mice, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs) can be housed within a negative pressure BL3 animal suite using high-density individually vented caging (IVC) systems that independently supply high efficiency particulate air/HEPA-filtered and directional air circulation. Other animals (e.g. rabbits, ferrets) that are of a size or have growth or caging requirements that preclude the use of high-density IVC systems are to be housed in negative pressure bioisolators.
Appendix G-II-C-5-b-(2). Large animals such as non-human primates shall be housed in primary barrier environments according to BL3-N containment requirements (see Appendix M-II-C).
Appendix G-II-C-5-b-(3). Specialized training and proven competency in all assigned practices and procedures shall be required for laboratory staff, including staff involved in animal care.
Appendix G-II-C-5-b-(4). For HPAI H5N1 research, the NIH Guidelines defer to USDA/APHIS recommendations for biocontainment practices for loose housed animals.
A detailed occupational health plan shall be developed in advance of working with these agents in consultation, as needed, with individuals with the appropriate clinical expertise. In addition, the appropriate public health authority shall be consulted (e.g. local public health officials) on the plan and a mock drill of this plan shall be undertaken periodically. The plan shall include a description of the incident reporting system in place for incidents, which include any loss of containment, spills, accidents, or potential exposures. The plan must specify that all incidents must be reported immediately to the appropriate institutional authorities, and no later than 24 hours to the appropriate public health authorities (e.g., the USDA, the CDC, NIH, local and state health authorities).
Appendix G-II-C-5-c-(1). Laboratory workers shall be provided with medical cards which include, at a minimum, the following information: characterization of the influenza virus to which they have been potentially exposed, and 24-hour contact numbers for the Principal Investigator and institution’s occupational health care provider(s).
Appendix G-II-C-5-c-(2). A detailed occupational health plan shall include: (1) Unless there is a medical contraindication to vaccination (e.g. severe egg allergy) annual seasonal influenza vaccination as prerequisite for research to reduce risk of influenza like illness that would require isolation and testing to rule out infection with experimental viruses and raise the risk for possible co-infection with circulating influenza strains. (2) Virus specific vaccination, if available, should be offered and if a licensed HPAI H5N1 vaccine is available, and there are no medical contraindications, laboratory workers performing research with mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus should be vaccinated. A post-vaccination serum sample shall be collected, assessed for immune response, and stored in accordance with institutional policy, at least for the time in which the laboratory worker continues to conduct HPAI H5N1 virus research. (3) Reporting of all respiratory symptoms and/or fever (i.e. influenza-like illnesses). For research involving mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 virus, laboratory workers shall be actively monitored for influenza-like illness (i.e., fever and respiratory symptoms). (4) 24-hour access to a medical facility that is prepared to implement appropriate respiratory isolation to prevent transmission and is able to provide appropriate antiviral agents. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays should be used for virus detection and to discriminate these viruses from currently circulating human influenza viruses. For exposures to viruses containing genes from 1918 H1N1 or the HA gene from human H2N2 (1957-1968), specimens shall be sent to the CDC for testing (RT-PCR and confirmatory sequencing).
Appendix G-II-C-5-c-(3). In preparing to perform research with 1918 H1N1, human H2N2 (1957-1968), or HPAI H5N1, Principal Investigators should develop a clear plan specifying who will be contacted in the event of a potential exposure (during and after work hours) to conduct a risk assessment and make decisions as to the required response, including the need for and extent of isolation of the exposed worker. After any kind of potential exposure, a rapid risk assessment shall be performed by the Principal Investigator, health and biosafety officials and subsequent actions should depend on the appraised level of risk of respiratory infection for the individual and potential for transmission to others. A laboratory worker performing research with either an influenza virus containing the HA gene from human H2N2 or an influenza virus containing genes and/or segments from 1918 H1N1 or mammalian-transmissible HPAI H5N1 viruses, shall be informed in advance that, in the case of a known laboratory exposure with a high risk for infection, e.g., involving the upper or lower respiratory tract or mucous membranes, the laboratory worker will need to be isolated in a predetermined facility, rather than home isolation, until infection can be ruled out by testing (e.g., negative RT-PCR for 1918 H1N1 or human H2N2 (1957-1968), or HPAI H5N1) of appropriately timed specimens. Laboratory workers with a known laboratory exposure with high risk for infection during research with HPAI H5N1 virus strains that are not transmissible among mammals should be prepared to self-isolate (for example at home) until infection can be ruled out by testing (e.g., negative RT-PCR for HPAI H5N1) of appropriately timed specimens. The action taken for other types of exposures should be based on the risk assessment. In addition, based on the risk assessment: (1) treatment with appropriate antiviral agents shall be initiated, and (2) the appropriate public health authorities shall be notified.
Appendix
G-II-C-5-c-(4). Influenza-like illness. If an individual has entered
(within ten days) a laboratory conducting research with
influenza viruses containing the human H2N2 HA gene
or any gene from the 1918 H1N1 or HPAI H5N1 viruses, or housing
animals exposed to
such viruses, and
the individual demonstrates
symptoms and/or signs of influenza infection (e.g., fever/chills, cough,
myalgias, headache), then he/she shall
report by phone to the supervisor/Principal Investigator and other individuals
identified in the occupational health plan.
If needed,
the person with influenza-like illness
shall be transported, under the appropriate isolation conditions, to a
healthcare facility that can provide adequate respiratory isolation,
appropriate medical therapy, and testing to determine whether the infection is
due to a recombinant or synthetic influenza virus. The appropriate public health authorities
shall be informed whenever a suspected case is isolated.
Appendix G-II-C-5-c-(5). For 1918 H1N1 research, the use of antiviral agents (e.g., oseltamivir) for pre-exposure prophylaxis shall be discussed with laboratory workers in advance including a discussion of the data on the safety of long term exposure to these agents and their ability to reduce the risk of clinical disease and the limits of the data regarding protection of close contacts and the community.
Appendix G-II-C-5-c-(6). Antiviral agents for postexposure prophylaxis shall be provided only after medical evaluation. Home supplies shall not be provided in advance for research with 1918 H1N1, mammaliantransmissible HPAI H5N1 or influenza viruses containing the HA gene from human H2N2.
Appendix G-II-D-1-a. Work surfaces are decontaminated at least once a day and immediately after any spill of viable material.
Appendix G-II-D-1-b. Only mechanical pipetting devices are used.
Appendix G-II-D-1-c. Eating, drinking, smoking, storing food, and applying cosmetics are not permitted in the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-D-1-d. All procedures are performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols.
Appendix G-II-D-2-a. Biological materials to be removed from the Class III cabinets or from the maximum containment laboratory in a viable or intact state are transferred to a non-breakable, sealed primary container and then enclosed in a non-breakable, sealed secondary container which is removed from the facility through a disinfectant dunk tank, fumigation chamber, or an airlock designed for this purpose.
Appendix G-II-D-2-b. No materials, except for biological materials that are to remain in a viable or intact state, are removed from the maximum containment laboratory unless they have been autoclaved or decontaminated before exiting the facility. Equipment or material which might be damaged by high temperatures or steam is decontaminated by gaseous or vapor methods in an airlock or chamber designed for this purpose.
Appendix G-II-D-2-c. Only persons whose presence in the facility or individual laboratory rooms is required for program or support purposes are authorized to enter. The supervisor has the final responsibility for assessing each circumstance and determining who may enter or work in the laboratory. Access to the facility is limited by means of secure, locked doors; accessibility is managed by the Principal Investigator, Biological Safety Officer, or other person responsible for the physical security of the facility. Before entering, persons are advised of the potential biohazards and instructed as to appropriate safeguards for ensuring their safety. Authorized persons comply with the instructions and all other applicable entry and exit procedures. A logbook signed by all personnel indicates the date and time of each entry and exit. Practical and effective protocols for emergency situations are established.
Appendix G-II-D-2-d. Personnel enter and exit the facility only through the clothing change and shower rooms. Personnel shower each time they exit the facility. Personnel use the air locks to enter or exit the laboratory only in an emergency.
Appendix G-II-D-2-e. Street clothing is removed in the outer clothing change room and kept there. Complete laboratory clothing (may be disposable), including undergarments, pants and shirts or jump suits, shoes, and gloves, is provided and used by all personnel entering the facility. Head covers are provided for personnel who do not wash their hair during the exit shower. When exiting the laboratory and before proceeding into the shower area, personnel remove their laboratory clothing and store it in a locker or hamper in the inner change room. Protective clothing shall be decontaminated prior to laundering or disposal.
Appendix G-II-D-2-f. When materials that contain organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules or experimental animals are present in the laboratory or animal rooms, a hazard warning sign incorporating the universal biosafety symbol is posted on all access doors. The sign identifies the agent, lists the name of the Principal Investigator or other responsible person(s), and indicates any special requirements for entering the area (e.g., the need for immunizations or respirators).
Appendix G-II-D-2-g. Supplies and materials needed in the facility are brought in by way of the double-doored autoclave, fumigation chamber, or airlock which is appropriately decontaminated between each use. After securing the outer doors, personnel within the facility retrieve the materials by opening the interior doors or the autoclave, fumigation chamber, or airlock. These doors are secured after materials are brought into the facility.
Appendix G-II-D-2-h. An insect and rodent control program is in effect.
Appendix G-II-D-2-i. Materials (e.g., plants, animals, and clothing) not related to the experiment being conducted are not permitted in the facility.
Appendix G-II-D-2-j. Hypodermic needles and syringes are used only for parenteral injection and aspiration of fluids from laboratory animals and diaphragm bottles. Only needle-locking syringes or disposable syringe-needle units (i.e., needle is integral part of unit) are used for the injection or aspiration of fluids containing organisms that contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Needles should not be bent, sheared, replaced in the needle sheath or guard, or removed from the syringe following use. The needle and syringe should be placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably by autoclaving before discard or reuse. Whenever possible, cannulas are used instead of sharp needles (e.g., gavage).
Appendix G-II-D-2-k. A system is set up for reporting laboratory accidents, exposures, employee absenteeism, and for the medical surveillance of potential laboratory-associated illnesses. Spills and accidents which result in overt exposures to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are immediately reported to the Biological Safety Officer, Institutional Biosafety Committee, and NIH OSP. Reports to the NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Written records are prepared and maintained. An essential adjunct to such a reporting-surveillance system is the availability of a facility for quarantine, isolation, and medical care of personnel with potential or known laboratory associated illnesses.
Appendix G-II-D-2-l-(1). Laboratory animals involved in experiments requiring BL4 level physical containment shall be housed either in cages contained in Class III cabinets or in partial containment caging systems, such as Horsfall units (see Appendix G-III-K, Footnotes and References of Appendix G), open cages placed in ventilated enclosures, or solid-wall and -bottom cages placed on holding racks equipped with ultraviolet irradiation lamps and reflectors that are located in a specially designed area in which all personnel are required to wear one-piece positive pressure suits.
Appendix G-II-D-2-l-(2). Non-human primates
(NHP) may be housed (1) under the containment conditions described in Appendix
G-II-D-2-l-(1) above, or (2) in open cages within a dedicated animal holding
room that serves as the primary barrier and in which all personnel are required to wear one-piece
positive pressure suits. A room serving
as a primary barrier must be air-tight and capable of being decontaminated
using fumigation.
If NHPs are to be contained in a dedicated animal holding room serving as
the primary barrier, the following conditions shall be met:
(i) Access to
the animal holding room from service corridors outside of the BL4 containment space shall require passage
through two sets of doors, and the inner most door must be an air pressure
resistant (APR) door;
(ii) For any animal holding room considered to be a primary barrier, APR
door(s) providing direct ingress from the exterior service corridor shall be
fitted with appropriate and redundant lock-out mechanisms to prevent access
when the animal holding room is contaminated and in use. There should be more than one mechanism to
ensure that this primary barrier door cannot be opened when the animal room is contaminated and the APR door shall not serve as an
emergency exit from the BL4 laboratory.
The APR door shall be appropriately tested to demonstrate that in the
closed, locked-out mode, the door provides an air-tight barrier proven by
pressure decay testing or other equivalent method;
(iii) Any door(s) allowing access into a corridor from which there is direct
ingress to an animal holding room must be fitted with either (1) an APR door or
(2) a non-APR door, provided directional airflow is maintained from the laboratory
corridor space into the animal room. For the purpose of fumigation, animal
rooms equipped with non-APR doors opening into the adjacent interior corridors
shall be considered one space (i.e., areas between air-tight doors shall be
fumigated together);
(iv) Any door(s) used for access to the service corridor (the secondary
barrier) shall be self-closing and of solid construction, designed not to
corrode, split or warp;
(v) Access to the service corridor inside the secondary barrier shall be restricted
and strictly controlled when animal rooms are in use. Whenever possible, the secondary barrier
door(s) should be fitted with safety interlock switches designed to prevent it
from opening when an animal holding room door (the primary barrier) is opened
following room decontamination; if interlock devices cannot be used, specific
administrative procedures shall be implemented to control access to the service
corridor;
(vi) The service corridor shall maintain a negative pressure (inward
directional airflow) relative to adjoining traffic corridors;
(vii) Prior to fumigation of the animal holding room, cages should be removed
for autoclaving or chemical decontamination;
(viii) Caging should be chosen to reduce the amount of animal detritus that can
be thrown out of the cage and onto the floor of the animal holding room;
(ix) The flow of personnel, material and equipment should be directed in order
to minimize the spread of contamination from the animal holding room into adjacent
areas of the laboratory;
(x) Following animal room decontamination, safeguards involving the use
of personal protective equipment and appropriate administrative controls shall
be implemented for the safe retrieval of biological indicators in order to prevent the spread of infectious agents in the
event of a decontamination failure.
Experimental procedures involving a host-vector system that provides a one-step higher level of biological containment than that specified may be conducted in the BL4 facility using containment equipment requirements specified for the BL3 level of physical containment. Alternative combinations of containment safeguards are shown in Appendix G-Table 1, Possible Alternate Combinations of Physical and Biological Containment Safeguards.
Appendix G-II-D-3-a. All procedures within the facility with agents assigned to Biosafety Level 4 are conducted in the Class III biological safety cabinet or in Class I or II biological safety cabinets used in conjunction with one-piece positive pressure personnel suits ventilated by a life-support system.
Appendix G-II-D-4-a. The maximum containment facility consists of either a separate building or a clearly demarcated and isolated zone within a building. Outer and inner change rooms separated by a shower are provided for personnel entering and exiting the facility. A double-doored autoclave, fumigation chamber, or ventilated airlock is provided for passage of those materials, supplies, or equipment which are not brought into the facility through the change room.
Appendix G-II-D-4-b. Walls, floors, and ceilings of the facility are constructed to form a sealed internal shell which facilitates fumigation and is animal and insect proof. The internal surfaces of this shell are resistant to liquids and chemicals, thus facilitating cleaning and decontamination of the area. All penetrations in these structures and surfaces are sealed. Any drains in the floors contain traps filled with a chemical disinfectant of demonstrated efficacy against the target agent, and they are connected directly to the liquid waste decontamination system. Sewer and other ventilation lines contain high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters.
Appendix G-II-D-4-c. Internal facility appurtenances, such as light fixtures, air ducts, and utility pipes, are arranged to minimize the horizontal surface area on which dust can settle.
Appendix G-II-D-4-d. Bench tops have seamless surfaces which are impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.
Appendix G-II-D-4-e. Laboratory furniture is simple and of sturdy construction; and spaces between benches, cabinets, and equipment are accessible for cleaning.
Appendix G-II-D-4-f. A foot, elbow, or automatically operated hand washing sink is provided near the door of each laboratory room in the facility.
Appendix G-II-D-4-g. If there is a central vacuum system, it does not serve areas outside the facility. In-line high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters are placed as near as practicable to each use point or service cock. Filters are installed to permit in-place decontamination and replacement. Other liquid and gas services to the facility are protected by devices that prevent back-flow.
Appendix G-II-D-4-h. If water fountains are provided, they are foot operated and are located in the facility corridors outside the laboratory. The water service to the fountain is not connected to the back-flow protected distribution system supplying water to the laboratory areas.
Appendix G-II-D-4-i. Access doors to the laboratory are self-closing and locking.
Appendix G-II-D-4-j. Any windows are breakage resistant.
Appendix G-II-D-4-k. A double-door autoclave is provided for decontaminating materials passing out of the facility. The autoclave door which opens to the area external to the facility is sealed to the outer wall and automatically controlled so that the outside door can only be opened after the autoclave "sterilization" cycle has been completed.
Appendix G-II-D-4-l. A pass-through dunk tank, fumigation chamber, or an equivalent decontamination method is provided so that materials and equipment that cannot be decontaminated in the autoclave can be safely removed from the facility.
Appendix G-II-D-4-m. Liquid effluent from laboratory sinks, biological safety cabinets, floors, and autoclave chambers are decontaminated by heat treatment before being released from the maximum containment facility. Liquid wastes from shower rooms and toilets may be decontaminated with chemical disinfectants or by heat in the liquid waste decontamination system. The procedure used for heat decontamination of liquid wastes is evaluated mechanically and biologically by using a recording thermometer and an indicator microorganism with a defined heat susceptibility pattern. If liquid wastes from the shower room are decontaminated with chemical disinfectants, the chemical used is of demonstrated efficacy against the target or indicator microorganisms.
Appendix G-II-D-4-n. An individual supply and exhaust air ventilation system is provided. The system maintains pressure differentials and directional airflow as required to assure flows inward from areas outside of the facility toward areas of highest potential risk within the facility. Manometers are used to sense pressure differentials between adjacent areas maintained at different pressure levels. If a system malfunctions, the manometers sound an alarm. The supply and exhaust airflow is interlocked to assure inward (or zero) airflow at all times.
Appendix G-II-D-4-o. The exhaust air from the facility is filtered through high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters and discharged to the outside so that it is dispersed away from occupied buildings and air intakes. Within the facility, the filters are located as near the laboratories as practicable in order to reduce the length of potentially contaminated air ducts. The filter chambers are designed to allow in situ decontamination before filters are removed and to facilitate certification testing after they are replaced. Coarse filters and HEPA filters are provided to treat air supplied to the facility in order to increase the lifetime of the exhaust HEPA filters and to protect the supply air system should air pressures become unbalanced in the laboratory.
Appendix G-II-D-4-p. The treated exhaust air from Class I and II biological safety cabinets may be discharged into the laboratory room environment or the outside through the facility air exhaust system. If exhaust air from Class I or II biological safety cabinets is discharged into the laboratory the cabinets are tested and certified at minimum on a yearly basis. More frequent testing and certification, based on the amount of use or other safety factors, shall be left to the discretion of the IBC. The exhaust air from Class III biological safety cabinets is discharged, without recirculation through two sets of high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters in series, via the facility exhaust air system. If the treated exhaust air from any of these cabinets is discharged to the outside through the facility exhaust air system, it is connected to this system in a manner (e.g., thimble unit connection (see Appendix G-III-L, Footnotes and References of Appendix G)) that avoids any interference with the air balance of the cabinets or the facility exhaust air system.
Appendix G-II-D-4-q. A specially designed suit area may be provided in the facility. Personnel who enter this area shall wear a one-piece positive pressure suit that is ventilated by a life-support system. The life-support system includes alarms and emergency backup breathing air tanks. Entry to this area is through an airlock fitted with airtight doors. A chemical shower is provided to decontaminate the surface of the suit before the worker exits the area. The exhaust air from the suit area is filtered by two sets of high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters installed in series. A duplicate filtration unit, exhaust fan, and an automatically starting emergency power source are provided. The air pressure within the suit area is greater than that of any adjacent area. Emergency lighting and communication systems are provided. All penetrations into the internal shell of the suit are sealed. A double-doored autoclave is provided for decontaminating waste materials to be removed from the suit areas.
Appendix G - Table 1. Possible Alternate Combinations Of Physical And Biological Containment Safeguards
|
Classification of Physical & Biological
Containment |
Alternate
Physical Containment |
Alternate |
||
|
Laboratory
Facilities |
Laboratory
Practices |
Laboratory
Equipment |
||
|
BL3/HV2 |
BL3 |
BL3 |
BL3 |
HV2 |
|
BL3 |
BL3 |
BL4 |
HV1 |
|
|
BL3/HV1 |
BL3 |
BL3 |
BL3 |
HV1 |
|
BL3 |
BL3 |
BL2 |
HV2 |
|
|
BL4/HV1 |
BL4 |
BL4 |
BL4 |
HV1 |
|
BL4 |
BL4 |
BL3 |
HV2 |
|
BL - Biosafety Level
HV - Host-Vector System
Appendix G-III-A. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
Appendix G-III-B. Arthropod Containment Guidelines, Version 3.2, 2019, and Addendum 1 Containment Practices for Arthropods Modified with Engineered Transgenes Capable of Gene Drive, 2022, American Committee of Medical Entomology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Arlington, Virginia.
Appendix G-III-C. National Cancer Institute Safety Standards for Research Involving Oncogenic Viruses, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Publication No. (NIH) 75-790, October 1974.
Appendix G-III-D. National Institutes of Health Biohazards Safety Guide, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, NIH, U.S. Government Printing Office, Stock No. 1740-00383, 1974.
Appendix G-III-E. A. Hellman, M. N. Oxman, and R. Pollack (eds.), Biohazards in Biological Research, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 1973.
Appendix G-III-F. N. V. Steere (ed.), Handbook of Laboratory Safety, 2nd edition, The Chemical Rubber Co., Cleveland, Ohio, 1971.
Appendix G-III-G. Bodily, J. L, "General Administration of the Laboratory," H. L. Bodily, E. L. Updyke, and J. O. Mason (eds.), Diagnostic Procedures for Bacterial, Mycotic, and Parasitic Infections, American Public Health Association, New York, 1970, pp. 11-28.
Appendix G-III-H. Darlow, H. M. (1969). "Safety in the Microbiological Laboratory," in J. R. Norris and D. W. Robbins (eds.), Methods in Microbiology, Academic Press, Inc., New York, pp. 169-204.
Appendix G-III-I. The Prevention of Laboratory Acquired Infection, C. H. Collins, E. G. Hartley, and R. Pilsworth, Public Health Laboratory Service, Monograph Series No. 6, 1974.
Appendix G-III-J. Chatigny, M. A., "Protection Against Infection in the Microbiological Laboratory: Devices and Procedures," in W. W. Umbreit (ed.), Advances in Applied Microbiology, Academic Press, New York, New York, 1961, 3:131-192.
Appendix G-III-K. Horsfall, F. L. Jr., and J. H. Baner, Individual Isolation of Infected Animals in a Single Room, J. Bact., 1940, 40, 569-580.
Appendix G-III-L. Biological safety cabinets referred to in this section are classified as Class I, Class II, or Class III cabinets. A Class I is a ventilated cabinet for personnel protection having an inward flow of air away from the operator. The exhaust air from this cabinet is filtered through a high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filter. This cabinet is used in three operational modes: (i) with a full-width open front, (ii) with an installed front closure panel (having four 6-inch diameter openings) without gloves, and (iii) with an installed front closure panel equipped with arm-length rubber gloves. The face velocity of the inward flow of air through the full-width open front is 75 feet per minute or greater. A Class II cabinet is a ventilated cabinet for personnel and product protection having an open front with inward air flow for personnel protection, and HEPA filtered mass recirculated air flow for product protection. The cabinet exhaust air is filtered through a HEPA filter. The face velocity of the inward flow of air through the full-width open front is 75 feet per minute or greater. Design and performance specifications for Class II cabinets have been adopted by the National Sanitation Foundation, Ann Arbor, Michigan. A Class III cabinet is a closed-front ventilated cabinet of gas tight construction which provides the highest level of personnel protection of all biosafety safety cabinets. The interior of the cabinet is protected from contaminants exterior to the cabinet. The cabinet is fitted with arm-length rubber gloves and is operated under a negative pressure of at least 0.5 inches water gauge. All supply air is filtered through HEPA filters. Exhaust air is filtered through two HEPA filters or one HEPA filter and incinerator before being discharged to the outside environment. National Sanitation Foundation Standard 49. 1976. Class II (Laminar Flow) Biohazard Cabinetry, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Appendix G-III-M. Biosafety Level 1 is suitable for work involving agents of unknown or minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment. The laboratory is not separated from the general traffic patterns in the building. Work is generally conducted on open bench tops. Special containment equipment is not required or generally used. Laboratory personnel have specific training in the procedures conducted in the laboratory and are supervised by a scientist with general training in microbiology or a related science (see Appendix G-III-A, Footnotes and References of Appendix G).
Appendix G-III-N. Biosafety Level 2 is similar to Level 1 and is suitable for work involving agents of moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment. It differs in that: (1) laboratory personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic agents and are directed by competent scientists; (2) access to the laboratory is limited when work is being conducted; and (3) certain procedures in which infectious aerosols are created are conducted in biological safety cabinets or other physical containment equipment (see Appendix G-III-A, Footnotes and References of Appendix G).
Appendix G-III-O. Office of Research Safety, National Cancer Institute, and the Special Committee of Safety and Health Experts, Laboratory Safety Monograph: A Supplement to the NIH Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 1978.
Appendix G-III-P. Biosafety Level 3 is applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching, research, or production facilities in which work is conducted with indigenous or exotic agents which may cause serious or potentially lethal disease as a result of exposure by the inhalation route. Laboratory personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic and potentially lethal agents and are supervised by competent scientists who are experienced in working with these agents. All procedures involving the manipulation of infectious material are conducted within biological safety cabinets or other physical containment devices or by personnel wearing appropriate personal protective clothing and devices. The laboratory has special engineering and design features. It is recognized, however, that many existing facilities may not have all the facility safeguards recommended for BL3 (e.g., access zone, sealed penetrations, and directional airflow, etc.). In these circumstances, acceptable safety may be achieved for routine or repetitive operations (e.g., diagnostic procedures involving the propagation of an agent for identification, typing, and susceptibility testing) in laboratories where facility features satisfy BL2 recommendations provided the recommended "Standard Microbiological Practices," "Special Practices," and "Containment Equipment" for BL3 are rigorously followed. The decision to implement this modification of BL3 recommendations should be made only by the Principal Investigator.
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Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules contained in an organism or in a viral genome shall be shipped under the applicable regulations of the U.S. Postal Service (39 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 3); the Public Health Service (42 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 72); the U.S. Department of Agriculture (9 Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapters D and E; 7 CFR, Part 340); and/or the U.S. Department of Transportation (49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 171-179).
Note. A host-vector system may be proposed for certification by the NIH Director in accordance with the procedures set forth in Appendix I-II, Certification of Host-Vector Systems. In order to ensure protection for proprietary data, any public notice regarding a host-vector system which is designated by the institution as proprietary under Section IV-D, Voluntary Compliance, will be issued only after consultation with the institution as to the content of the notice (see Section IV-D-3, Certification of Host-Vector Systems - Voluntary Compliance).
Appendix H-I. Host organisms or viruses will be shipped as etiologic agents, regardless of whether they contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, if they are regulated as human pathogens by the Public Health Service (42 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 72) or as animal pathogens or plant pests under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (Titles 9 and 7 Code of Federal Regulations, respectively).
Appendix H-II. Host organisms and viruses will be shipped as etiologic agents if they contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules when: (i) the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule includes the complete genome of a host organism or virus regulated as a human or animal pathogen or a plant pest; or (ii) the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule codes for a toxin or other factor directly involved in eliciting human, animal, or plant disease or inhibiting plant growth, and is carried on an expression vector or within the host chromosome and/or when the host organism contains a conjugation proficient plasmid or a generalized transducing phage; or (iii) the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule comes from a host organism or virus regulated as a human or animal pathogen or as a plant pest and has not been adequately characterized to demonstrate that it does not code for a factor involved in eliciting human, animal, or plant disease.
For further information on shipping etiologic agents contact: (i) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ATTN: Biohazards Control Office, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, (404) 639-3883, FTS 236-3883; (ii) The U.S. Department of Transportation, ATTN: Office of Hazardous Materials Transportation, 400 7th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-4545; or (iii) U.S. Department of Agriculture, ATTN: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, National Center for Import-Export, Products Program, 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, Maryland 20737. Phone: (301) 734-8499; Fax: (301) 734-8226.
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In consideration of biological containment, the vector (plasmid, organelle, or virus) for the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule and the host (bacterial, plant, or animal cell) in which the vector is propagated in the laboratory will be considered together. Any combination of vector and host which is to provide biological containment shall be chosen or constructed so that the following types of "escape" are minimized: (i) survival of the vector in its host outside the laboratory, and (ii) transmission of the vector from the propagation host to other non-laboratory hosts. The following levels of biological containment (host-vector systems) for prokaryotes are established. Appendices I-I-A through I-II-B describe levels of biological containment (host-vector systems) for prokaryotes. Specific criteria will depend on the organisms to be used.
Host-Vector 1 systems provide a moderate level of containment. Specific Host-Vector 1 systems are:
The host is always Escherichia coli K-12 or a derivative thereof, and the vectors include non-conjugative plasmids (e.g., pSC101, Co1E1, or derivatives thereof (see Appendices I-III-A through G, Footnotes and References of Appendix I) and variants of bacteriophage, such as lambda (see Appendices I-III-H through O, Footnotes and References of Appendix I). The Escherichia coli K-12 hosts shall not contain conjugation-proficient plasmids, whether autonomous or integrated, or generalized transducing phages.
At a minimum, hosts and vectors shall be comparable in containment to Escherichia coli K-12 with a non-conjugative plasmid or bacteriophage vector. Appendix I-II, Certification of Host-Vector Systems, describes the data to be considered and mechanism for approval of Host-Vector 1 systems.
Host-Vector 2 Systems provide a high level of biological containment as demonstrated by data from suitable tests performed in the laboratory. Escape of the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule either via survival of the organisms or via transmission of the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule to other organisms should be < 1/108 under specified conditions. Specific Host-Vector 2 systems are:
Appendix I-I-B-1. For Escherichia coli K-12 Host-Vector 2 systems (EK2) in which the vector is a plasmid, no more than 1/108 host cells shall perpetuate a cloned DNA fragment under the specified non-permissive laboratory conditions designed to represent the natural environment, either by survival of the original host or as a consequence of transmission of the cloned DNA fragment.
Appendix I-I-B-2. For Escherichia coli K-12 Host-Vector 2 systems (EK2) in which the vector is a phage, no more than 1/108 phage particles shall perpetuate a cloned DNA fragment under the specified non-permissive laboratory conditions designed to represent the natural environment, either as a prophage (in the inserted or plasmid form) in the laboratory host used for phage propagation, or survival in natural environments and transferring a cloned DNA fragment to other hosts (or their resident prophages).
Host-Vector 1 systems (other than Escherichia coli K-12) and Host-Vector 2 systems may not be designated as such until they have been certified by the NIH Director. Requests for certification of host-vector systems may be submitted to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Proposed host-vector systems will be reviewed based on the construction, properties, and testing of the proposed host-vector system by ad hoc experts. The NIH Director is responsible for certification of host-vector systems. Minor modifications to existing host-vector systems (i.e., those that are of minimal or no consequence to the properties relevant to containment) may be certified by the NIH Director (see Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(f), Minor Actions). Once a host-vector system has been certified by the NIH Director, a notice of certification will be sent by NIH OSP to the applicant and to the Institutional Biosafety Committee Chairs. A list of all currently certified host-vector systems is available from the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by submitting a request for this information to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). The NIH Director may rescind the certification of a host-vector system (see Section IV-C-1-b-(2)-(g), Minor Actions). If certification is rescinded, NIH will instruct investigators to transfer cloned DNA into a different system or use the clones at a higher level of physical containment level, unless NIH determines that the already constructed clones incorporate adequate biological containment. Certification of a host-vector system does not extend to modifications of either the host or vector component of that system. Such modified systems shall be independently certified by the NIH Director. If modifications are minor, it may only be necessary for the investigator to submit data showing that the modifications have either improved or not impaired the major phenotypic traits on which the containment of the system depends. Substantial modifications to a certified host-vector system requires submission of complete testing data.
The following types of data shall be submitted, modified as appropriate for the particular system under consideration: (i) a description of the organism and vector; the strain's natural habitat and growth requirements; its physiological properties, particularly those related to its reproduction, survival, and the mechanisms by which it exchanges genetic information; the range of organisms with which this organism normally exchanges genetic information and the type of information exchanged; and any relevant information about its pathogenicity or toxicity; (ii) a description of the history of the particular strains and vectors to be used, including data on any mutations which render this organism less able to survive or transmit genetic information; and (iii) a general description of the range of experiments contemplated with emphasis on the need for developing such an Host-Vector 1 system.
Investigators planning to request Host-Vector 2 systems certification may obtain instructions from NIH OSP concerning data to be submitted (see Appendices I-III-N and O, Footnotes and References of Appendix I). In general, the following types of data are required: (i) description of construction steps with indication of source, properties, and manner of introduction of genetic traits; (ii) quantitative data on the stability of genetic traits that contribute to the containment of the system; (iii) data on the survival of the host-vector system under non-permissive laboratory conditions designed to represent the relevant natural environment; (iv) data on transmissibility of the vector and/or a cloned DNA fragment under both permissive and non-permissive conditions; (v) data on all other properties of the system which affect containment and utility, including information on yields of phage or plasmid molecules, ease of DNA isolation, and ease of transfection or transformation; and (vi) in some cases, the investigator may be asked to submit data on survival and vector transmissibility from experiments in which the host-vector is fed to laboratory animals or one or more human subjects. Such in vivo data may be required to confirm the validity of predicting in vivo survival on the basis of in vitro experiments. Data shall be submitted to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Investigators are encouraged to publish their data on the construction, properties, and testing of proposed Host Vector 2 systems prior to consideration of the system by NIH. Specific instructions concerning the submission of data for proposed Escherichia coli K-12 Host-Vector 2 system (EK2) involving either plasmids or bacteriophage in Escherichia coli K-12, are available from the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by submitting a request for this information to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Appendix I-III-A. Hersfield, V., H. W. Boyer, C. Yanofsky, M. A. Lovett, and D. R. Helinski, Plasmid Co1E1 as a Molecular Vehicle for Cloning and Amplification of DNA. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 1974, 71, pp. 3455-3459.
Appendix I-III-B. Wensink, P. C., D. J. Finnegan, J. E. Donelson, and D. S. Hogness, A System for Mapping DNA Sequences in the Chromosomes of Drosophila Melanogaster. Cell, 1974, 3, pp. 315-335.
Appendix I-III-C. Tanaka, T., and B. Weisblum, Construction of a Colicin El-R Factor Composite Plasmid in Vitro: Means for Amplification of Deoxyribonucleic Acid. J. Bacteriol., 1975, 121, pp. 354-362.
Appendix I-III-D. Armstrong, K. A., V. Hershfield, and D. R. Helinski, Gene Cloning and Containment Properties of Plasmid Col E1 and Its Derivatives, Science, 1977, 196, pp. 172-174.
Appendix I-III-E. Bolivar, F., R. L. Rodriguez, M. C. Betlack, and H. W. Boyer, Construction and Characterization of New Cloning Vehicles: I. Ampicillin-Resistant Derivative of PMB9, Gene, 1977, 2, pp. 75-93.
Appendix I-III-F. Cohen, S. N., A. C. W. Chang, H. Boyer, and R. Helling. Construction of Biologically Functional Bacterial Plasmids in Vitro. Proc. Natl. Acad, Sci., 1973, 70, pp. 3240-3244.
Appendix I-III-G. Bolivar, F., R. L. Rodriguez, R. J. Greene, M. C.Batlack, H. L. Reyneker, H. W. Boyer, J. H. Cross, and S. Falkow, 1977, Construction and Characterization of New Cloning Vehicles II. A Multi-Purpose Cloning System, Gene, 1977, 2, pp. 95-113.
Appendix I-III-H. Thomas, M., J. R. Cameron, and R. W. Davis (1974). Viable Molecular Hybrids of Bacteriophage Lambda and Eukaryotic DNA. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 1974, 71, pp. 4579-4583.
Appendix I-III-I. Murray, N. E., and K. Murray, Manipulation of Restriction Targets in Phage Lambda to Form Receptor Chromosomes for DNA Fragments. Nature, 1974, 51, pp. 476-481.
Appendix I-III-J. Ramback, A., and P. Tiollais (1974). Bacteriophage Having EcoRI Endonuclease Sites Only in the Non-Essential Region of the Genome. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 1974, 71, pp. 3927-3820.
Appendix I-III-K. Blattner, F. R., B. G. Williams, A. E. Bleche, K. Denniston-Thompson, H. E. Faber, L. A. Furlong, D. J. Gunwald, D. O. Kiefer, D. D. Moore, J. W. Shumm, E. L. Sheldon, and O. Smithies, Charon Phages: Safer Derivatives of Bacteriophage Lambda for DNA Cloning, Science 1977, 196, pp. 163-169.
Appendix I-III-L. Donoghue, D. J., and P. A. Sharp, An Improved Lambda Vector: Construction of Model Recombinants Coding for Kanamycin Resistance, Gene, 1977, 1, pp. 209-227.
Appendix I-III-M. Leder, P., D. Tiemeier and L. Enquist (1977), EK2 Derivatives of Bacteriophage Lambda Useful in the Cloning of DNA from Higher Organisms: The λgt WES System, Science, 1977, 196, pp. 175-177.
Appendix I-III-N. Skalka, A., Current Status of Coliphage AEK2 Vectors, Gene, 1978, 3, pp. 29-35.
Appendix I-III-O. Szybalski, W., A. Skalka, S. Gottesman, A. Campbell, and D. Botstein, Standardized Laboratory Tests for EK2 Certification, Gene, 1978, 3, pp. 36-38.
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The National Science and Technology Council's Committee on Fundamental Science determined that a subcommittee should be continued to identify and coordinate Federal research efforts, identify research needs, stimulating international cooperation, and assess national and international policy issues concerning biotechnology sciences. The primary emphasis will be on scientific issues to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of the Federal investment in biotechnology sciences, especially regarding issues which cut across agency boundaries. This subcommittee is called the Biotechnology Research Subcommittee.
Membership of the Biotechnology Research Subcommittee will include Federal agencies that support biotechnology research. Agencies represented are: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Interior, Department of Justice, Department of State, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency for International Development, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and National Science Foundation. The Biotechnology Research Subcommittee will function in an advisory capacity to the Committee on Fundamental Science, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Executive Office of the President. The Biotechnology Research Subcommittee will review the scientific aspects of proposed regulations and guidelines as they are developed.
The primary responsibilities of the Biotechnology Research Subcommittee are to: (i) describe and review current Federal efforts in biotechnology research; (ii) identify and define the priority areas for future Federal biotechnology research, including areas needing greater emphasis, describing the role of each agency in those areas, and delineate where interagency cooperation would enhance progress in the biotechnology sciences, with an emphasis on integrated research efforts, where appropriate; (iii) assess major international efforts in the biotechnology sciences and develop mechanisms for international collaboration. For example, activities of the U.S.-European Community Task Force on Biotechnology have been coordinated through the Biotechnology Research Subcommittee; (iv) identify and review national and international policy issues (such as public education) associated with biotechnology; and (v) provide reviews, analyses, and recommendations to the Chairs of the Committee on Fundamental Science on scientific issues related to regulations and the applications of biotechnology research and biotechnology policies and issues.
In 1990, the Biotechnology Research Subcommittee replaced the Biotechnology Sciences Coordinating Committee. Both the Biotechnology Research Subcommittee and the Biotechnology Sciences Coordinating Committee previously functioned under the Federal Coordinating Council on Science, Engineering, and Technology (FCCSET). While regulatory issues became the primary focus of the Biotechnology Sciences Coordinating Committee, the Biotechnology Research Subcommittee focuses on scientific issues, although it will still provide scientific support for regulatory responsibilities.
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Appendix K specifies physical containment guidelines for large-scale (greater than 10 liters of culture) research or production involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. It shall apply to large-scale research or production activities as specified in Section III-D-6, Experiments Involving More than 10 Liters of Culture. It is important to note that this appendix addresses only the biological hazard associated with organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Other hazards accompanying the large-scale cultivation of such organisms (e.g., toxic properties of products; physical, mechanical, and chemical aspects of downstream processing) are not addressed and shall be considered separately, albeit in conjunction with this appendix.
All provisions shall apply to large-scale research or production activities with the following modifications: (i) Appendix K shall supersede Appendix G, Physical Containment, when quantities in excess of 10 liters of culture are involved in research or production. Appendix K-II applies to Good Large Scale Practice; (ii) the institution shall appoint a Biological Safety Officer if it engages in large-scale research or production activities involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. The duties of the Biological Safety Officer shall include those specified in Section IV-B-3, Biological Safety Officer; (iii) the institution shall establish and maintain a health surveillance program for personnel engaged in large-scale research or production activities involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules which require Biosafety Level (BL) 3 containment at the laboratory scale. The program shall include: pre assignment and periodic physical and medical examinations; collection, maintenance, and analysis of serum specimens for monitoring serologic changes that may result from the employee's work experience; and provisions for the investigation of any serious, unusual, or extended illnesses of employees to determine possible occupational origin.
The selection of the physical containment level required for recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research or production involving more than 10 liters of culture is based on the containment guidelines established in Section III, Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines. For purposes of large-scale research or production, four physical containment levels are established. The four levels set containment conditions at those appropriate for the degree of hazard to health or the environment posed by the organism, judged by experience with similar organisms unmodified by recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule techniques and consistent with Good Large Scale Practice. The four biosafety levels of large-scale physical containment are referred to as Good Large Scale Practice, BL1-Large Scale, BL2-Large Scale, and BL3-Large Scale. Good Large Scale Practice is recommended for large-scale research or production involving viable, non-pathogenic, and non-toxigenic recombinant or synthetic strains derived from host organisms that have an extended history of safe large-scale use. Good Large Scale Practice is recommended for organisms such as those included in Appendix C, Exemptions under Section III-F-8, which have built-in environmental limitations that permit optimum growth in the large-scale setting but limited survival without adverse consequences in the environment. BL1-Large Scale is recommended for large-scale research or production of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that require BL1 containment at the laboratory scale and that do not qualify for Good Large Scale Practice. BL2-Large Scale is recommended for large-scale research or production of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that require BL2 containment at the laboratory scale. BL3-Large Scale is recommended for large-scale research or production of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that require BL3 containment at the laboratory scale. No provisions are made for large-scale research or production of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules that require BL4 containment at the laboratory scale. If necessary, these requirements will be established by NIH on an individual basis.
Appendix K-II-A. Institutional codes of practice shall be formulated and implemented to assure adequate control of health and safety matters.
Appendix K-II-B. Written instructions and training of personnel shall be provided to assure that cultures of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are handled prudently and that the work place is kept clean and orderly.
Appendix K-II-C. In the interest of good personal hygiene, facilities (e.g., hand washing sink, shower, changing room) and protective clothing (e.g., uniforms, laboratory coats) shall be provided that are appropriate for the risk of exposure to viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics, and mouth pipetting shall be prohibited in the work area.
Appendix K-II-D. Cultures of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be handled in facilities intended to safeguard health during work with microorganisms that do not require containment.
Appendix K-II-E. Discharges containing viable recombinant or synthetic organisms shall be handled in accordance with applicable governmental environmental regulations.
Appendix K-II-F. Addition of materials to a system, sample collection, transfer of culture fluids within/between systems, and processing of culture fluids shall be conducted in a manner that maintains employee's exposure to viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules at a level that does not adversely affect the health and safety of employees.
Appendix K-II-G. The facility's emergency response plan shall include provisions for handling spills.
Appendix K-III-A. Spills and accidents which result in overt exposures to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are immediately reported to the Laboratory Director. Medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment are provided as appropriate and written records are maintained.
Appendix K-III-B. Cultures of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be handled in a closed system (e.g., closed vessel used for the propagation and growth of cultures) or other primary containment equipment (e.g., biological safety cabinet containing a centrifuge used to process culture fluids) which is designed to reduce the potential for escape of viable organisms. Volumes less than 10 liters may be handled outside of a closed system or other primary containment equipment provided all physical containment requirements specified in Appendix G-II-A, Physical Containment Levels--Biosafety Level 1, are met.
Appendix K-III-C. Culture fluids (except as allowed in Appendix K-III-D) shall not be removed from a closed system or other primary containment equipment unless the viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules have been inactivated by a validated inactivation procedure. A validated inactivation procedure is one which has been demonstrated to be effective using the organism that will serve as the host for propagating the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Culture fluids that contain viable organisms or viral vectors intended as final product may be removed from the primary containment equipment by way of closed systems for sample analysis, further processing or final fill.
Appendix K-III-D. Sample collection from a closed system, the addition of materials to a closed system, and the transfer of culture fluids from one closed system to another shall be conducted in a manner which minimizes the release of aerosols or contamination of exposed surfaces.
Appendix K-III-E. Exhaust gases removed from a closed system or other primary containment equipment shall be treated by filters which have efficiencies equivalent to high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters or by other equivalent procedures (e.g., incineration) to minimize the release of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules to the environment.
Appendix K-III-F. A closed system or other primary containment equipment that has contained viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall not be opened for maintenance or other purposes unless it has been sterilized by a validated sterilization procedure except when the culture fluids contain viable organisms or vectors intended as final product as described in Appendix K-III-C above. A validated sterilization procedure is one which has been demonstrated to be effective using the organism that will serve as the host for propagating the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix K-III-G. Emergency plans required by Sections IV-B-2-b-(6), Institutional Biosafety Committee, and IV-B-3-c-(3), Biological Safety Officer, shall include methods and procedures for handling large losses of culture on an emergency basis.
Appendix K-IV-A. Spills and accidents which result in overt exposures to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are immediately reported to the Biological Safety Officer, Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities (if applicable). Reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment are provided as appropriate and written records are maintained.
Appendix K-IV-B. Cultures of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be handled in a closed system (e.g., closed vessel used for the propagation and growth of cultures) or other primary containment equipment (e.g., Class III biological safety cabinet containing a centrifuge used to process culture fluids) which is designed to prevent the escape of viable organisms. Volumes less than 10 liters may be handled outside of a closed system or other primary containment equipment provided all physical containment requirements specified in Appendix G-II-B, Physical Containment Levels--Biosafety Level 2, are met.
Appendix K-IV-C. Culture fluids (except as allowed in Appendix K-IV-D) shall not be removed from a closed system or other primary containment equipment unless the viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules have been inactivated by a validated inactivation procedure. A validated inactivation procedure is one which has been demonstrated to be effective using the organism that will serve as the host for propagating the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Culture fluids that contain viable organisms or viral vectors intended as final product may be removed from the primary containment equipment by way of closed systems for sample analysis, further processing or final fill.
Appendix K-IV-D. Sample collection from a closed system, the addition of materials to a closed system, and the transfer of cultures fluids from one closed system to another shall be conducted in a manner which prevents the release of aerosols or contamination of exposed surfaces.
Appendix K-IV-E. Exhaust gases removed from a closed system or other primary containment equipment shall be treated by filters which have efficiencies equivalent to high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters or by other equivalent procedures (e.g., incineration) to prevent the release of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules to the environment.
Appendix K-IV-F. A closed system or other primary containment equipment that has contained viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall not be opened for maintenance or other purposes unless it has been sterilized by a validated sterilization procedure except when the culture fluids contain viable organisms or vectors intended as final product as described in Appendix K-IV-C above. A validated sterilization procedure is one which has been demonstrated to be effective using the organisms that will serve as the host for propagating the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix K-IV-G. Rotating seals and other mechanical devices directly associated with a closed system used for the propagation and growth of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be designed to prevent leakage or shall be fully enclosed in ventilated housings that are exhausted through filters which have efficiencies equivalent to high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters or through other equivalent treatment devices.
Appendix K-IV-H. A closed system used for the propagation and growth of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and other primary containment equipment used to contain operations involving viable organisms containing sensing devices that monitor the integrity of containment during operations.
Appendix K-IV-I. A closed system used for the propagation and growth of viable organisms containing the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be tested for integrity of the containment features using the organism that will serve as the host for propagating recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Testing shall be accomplished prior to the introduction of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and following modification or replacement of essential containment features. Procedures and methods used in the testing shall be appropriate for the equipment design and for recovery and demonstration of the test organism. Records of tests and results shall be maintained on file.
Appendix K-IV-J. A closed system used for the propagation and growth of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be permanently identified. This identification shall be used in all records reflecting testing, operation, and maintenance and in all documentation relating to use of this equipment for research or production activities involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix K-IV-K. The universal biosafety sign shall be posted on each closed system and primary containment equipment when used to contain viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix K-IV-L. Emergency plans required by Sections IV-B-2-b-(6), Institutional Biosafety Committee, and IV-B-3-c-(3), Biological Safety Officer, shall include methods and procedures for handling large losses of culture on an emergency basis.
Appendix K-V-A. Spills and accidents which result in overt exposures to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules are immediately reported to the Biological Safety Officer, Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities (if applicable). Reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment are provided as appropriate and written records are maintained.
Appendix K-V-B. Cultures of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be handled in a closed system (e.g., closed vessels used for the propagation and growth of cultures) or other primary containment equipment (e.g., Class III biological safety cabinet containing a centrifuge used to process culture fluids) which is designed to prevent the escape of viable organisms. Volumes less than 10 liters may be handled outside of a closed system provided all physical containment requirements specified in Appendix G-II-C, Physical Containment Levels--Biosafety Level 3, are met.
Appendix K-V-C. Culture fluids (except as allowed in Appendix K-V-D) shall not be removed from a closed system or other primary containment equipment unless the viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules have been inactivated by a validated inactivation procedure. A validated inactivation procedure is one which has been demonstrated to be effective using the organisms that will serve as the host for propagating the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Culture fluids that contain viable organisms or viral vectors intended as final product may be removed from the primary containment equipment by way of closed systems for sample analysis, further processing or final fill.
Appendix K-V-D. Sample collection from a closed system, the addition of materials to a closed system, and the transfer of culture fluids from one closed system to another shall be conducted in a manner which prevents the release of aerosols or contamination of exposed surfaces.
Appendix K-V-E. Exhaust gases removed from a closed system or other primary containment equipment shall be treated by filters which have efficiencies equivalent to high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters or by other equivalent procedures (e.g., incineration) to prevent the release of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules to the environment.
Appendix K-V-F. A closed system or other primary containment equipment that has contained viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall not be opened for maintenance or other purposes unless it has been sterilized by a validated sterilization procedure except when the culture fluids contain viable organisms or vectors intended as final product as described in Appendix K-V-C above. A validated sterilization procedure is one which has been demonstrated to be effective using the organisms that will serve as the host for propagating the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix K-V-G. A closed system used for the propagation and growth of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be operated so that the space above the culture level will be maintained at a pressure as low as possible, consistent with equipment design, in order to maintain the integrity of containment features.
Appendix K-V-H. Rotating seals and other mechanical devices directly associated with a closed system used to contain viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be designed to prevent leakage or shall be fully enclosed in ventilated housings that are exhausted through filters which have efficiencies equivalent to high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters or through other equivalent treatment devices.
Appendix K-V-I. A closed system used for the propagation and growth of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and other primary containment equipment used to contain operations involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall include monitoring or sensing devices that monitor the integrity of containment during operations.
Appendix K-V-J. A closed system used for the propagation and growth of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be tested for integrity of the containment features using the organisms that will serve as the host for propagating the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Testing shall be accomplished prior to the introduction of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules and following modification or replacement of essential containment features. Procedures and methods used in the testing shall be appropriate for the equipment design and for recovery and demonstration of the test organism. Records of tests and results shall be maintained on file.
Appendix K-V-K. A closed system used for the propagation and growth of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be permanently identified. This identification shall be used in all records reflecting testing, operation, maintenance, and use of this equipment for research production activities involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix K-V-L. The universal biosafety sign shall be posted on each closed system and primary containment equipment when used to contain viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix K-V-M. Emergency plans required by Sections IV-B-2-b-(6), Institutional Biosafety Committee, and IV-B-3-c-(3), Biological Safety Officer, shall include methods and procedures for handling large losses of culture on an emergency basis.
Appendix K-V-N. Closed systems and other primary containment equipment used in handling cultures of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be located within a controlled area which meets the following requirements:
Appendix K-V-N-1. The controlled area shall have a separate entry area. The entry area shall be a double-doored space such as an air lock, anteroom, or change room that separates the controlled area from the balance of the facility.
Appendix K-V-N-2. The surfaces of walls, ceilings, and floors in the controlled area shall be such as to permit ready cleaning and decontamination.
Appendix K-V-N-3. Penetrations into the controlled area shall be sealed to permit liquid or vapor phase space decontamination.
Appendix K-V-N-4. All utilities and service or process piping and wiring entering the controlled area shall be protected against contamination.
Appendix K-V-N-5. Hand washing facilities equipped with foot, elbow, or automatically operated valves shall be located at each major work area and near each primary exit.
Appendix K-V-N-6. A shower facility shall be provided. This facility shall be located in close proximity to the controlled area.
Appendix K-V-N-7. The controlled area shall be designed to preclude release of culture fluids outside the controlled area in the event of an accidental spill or release from the closed systems or other primary containment equipment.
Appendix K-V-N-8. The controlled area shall have a ventilation system that is capable of controlling air movement. The movement of air shall be from areas of lower contamination potential to areas of higher contamination potential. If the ventilation system provides positive pressure supply air, the system shall operate in a manner that prevents the reversal of the direction of air movement or shall be equipped with an alarm that would be actuated in the event that reversal in the direction of air movement were to occur. The exhaust air from the controlled area shall not be recirculated to other areas of the facility. The exhaust air from the controlled area may not be discharged to the outdoors without being high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filtered, subjected to thermal oxidation, or otherwise treated to prevent the release of viable organisms.
Appendix K-V-O. The following personnel and operational practices shall be required:
Appendix K-V-O-1. Personnel entry into the controlled area shall be through the entry area specified in Appendix K-V-N-1.
Appendix K-V-O-2. Persons entering the controlled area shall exchange or cover their personal clothing with work garments such as jump suits, laboratory coats, pants and shirts, head cover, and shoes or shoe covers. On exit from the controlled area the work clothing may be stored in a locker separate from that used for personal clothing or discarded for laundering. Clothing shall be decontaminated before laundering.
Appendix K-V-O-3. Entry into the controlled area during periods when work is in progress shall be restricted to those persons required to meet program or support needs. Prior to entry, all persons shall be informed of the operating practices, emergency procedures, and the nature of the work conducted.
Appendix K-V-O-4. Persons under 18 years of age shall not be permitted to enter the controlled area.
Appendix K-V-O-5. The universal biosafety sign shall be posted on entry doors to the controlled area and all internal doors when any work involving the organism is in progress. This includes periods when decontamination procedures are in progress. The sign posted on the entry doors to the controlled area shall include a statement of agents in use and personnel authorized to enter the controlled area.
Appendix K-V-O-6. The controlled area shall be kept neat and clean.
Appendix K-V-O-7. Eating, drinking, smoking, and storage of food are prohibited in the controlled area.
Appendix K-V-O-8. Animals and plants shall be excluded from the controlled area.
Appendix K-V-O-9. An effective insect and rodent control program shall be maintained.
Appendix K-V-O-10. Access doors to the controlled area shall be kept closed, except as necessary for access, while work is in progress. Service doors leading directly outdoors shall be sealed and locked while work is in progress.
Appendix K-V-O-11. Persons shall wash their hands when exiting the controlled area.
Appendix K-V-O-12. Persons working in the controlled area shall be trained in emergency procedures.
Appendix K-V-O-13. Equipment and materials required for the management of accidents involving viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be available in the controlled area.
Appendix K-V-O-14. The controlled area shall be decontaminated in accordance with established procedures following spills or other accidental release of viable organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
Appendix K - Table 1. Comparison of Good Large Scale Practice (GLSP) and Biosafety Level (BL) - Large Scale (LS) Practice (See Appendix K-VI-A, Footnotes Of Appendix K)
|
CRITERION [See Appendix K-VI-B, Footnotes
of Appendix K] |
GLSP |
BL1-LS |
BL2-LS |
BL3-LS |
|
|
1. |
Formulate
and implement institutional codes of practice for safety of personnel and
adequate control of hygiene and safety measures. |
K-II-A |
G-I |
||
|
2. |
Provide
adequate written instructions and training of personnel to keep work place clean and tidy and to keep exposure to
biological, chemical or physical agents at a level that does not adversely
affect health and safety of employees. |
K-II-B |
G-I |
||
|
3. |
Provide
changing and hand washing facilities as well as protective clothing,
appropriate to the risk, to be worn during work. |
K-II-C |
G-II-A-1-h |
G-II-B-2-f |
G-II-C-2-i |
|
4. |
Prohibit
eating, drinking, smoking, mouth pipetting, and applying cosmetics in the work place. |
K-II-C |
G-II-A-1-d G-II-A-1-e |
G-II-B-1-d G-II-B-1-e |
G-II-C-1-c G-II-C-1-d |
|
5. |
Internal
accident reporting. |
K-II-G |
K-III-A |
K-IV-A |
K-V-A |
|
6. |
Medical
surveillance. |
NR |
NR |
|
|
|
7. |
Viable
organisms should be handled in a system that physically separates the process
from the external environment (closed system or other primary containment). |
NR |
K-III-B |
K-IV-B |
K-V-B |
|
8. |
Culture
fluids not removed from a system until organisms are inactivated. |
NR |
K-III-C |
K-IV-C |
K-V-C |
|
9. |
Inactivation
of waste solutions and materials with respect to their biohazard potential. |
K-II-E |
K-III-C |
K-IV-C |
K-V-C |
|
10. |
Control
of aerosols by engineering or procedural controls to prevent or minimize
release of organisms during sampling from a system, addition of materials to
a system, transfer of cultivated cells, and removal of material, products,
and effluent from a system. |
Minimize Procedure K-II-F |
Minimize Engineer K-III-B K-III-D |
Prevent Engineer K-IV-B K-IV-D |
Prevent Engineer K-V-B K-V-D |
|
11. |
Treatment
of exhaust gases from a closed system to minimize or prevent release of
viable organisms. |
NR |
Minimize K-III-E |
Prevent K-IV-E |
Prevent K-V-E |
|
12. |
Closed
system that has contained viable organisms not to be opened until sterilized
by a validated procedure. |
NR |
K-III-F |
K-IV-F |
K-V-F |
|
13. |
Closed
system to be maintained at as a low pressure as possible to maintain
integrity of containment features. |
NR |
NR |
NR |
K-V-G |
|
14. |
Rotating
seals and other penetrations into closed system designed to prevent or
minimize leakage. |
NR |
NR |
Prevent K-IV-G |
Prevent K-V-H |
|
15. |
Closed
system shall incorporate monitoring or sensing devices to monitor the
integrity of containment. |
NR |
NR |
K-IV-H |
K-V-I |
|
16. |
Validated
integrity testing of closed containment system. |
NR |
NR |
K-IV-I |
K-V-J |
|
17. |
Closed
system to be permanently identified for record keeping purposes. |
NR |
NR |
K-IV-J |
K-V-K |
|
18. |
Universal
biosafety sign to be posted on each closed system. |
NR |
NR |
K-IV-K |
K-V-L |
|
19. |
Emergency
plans required for handling large losses of cultures. |
K-II-G |
K-III-G |
K-IV-L |
K-V-M |
|
20. |
Access
to the work place. |
NR |
G-II-A-1-a |
G-II-B-1-a |
K-V-N |
|
21. |
Requirements
for controlled access area. |
NR |
NR |
NR |
K-V-N&O |
NR = not required
Appendix K-VI-A. This table is derived from the text in Appendices G (Physical Containment) and K and is not to be used in lieu of Appendices G and K.
Appendix K-VI-B. The criteria in this grid address only the biological hazards associated with organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid. Other hazards accompanying the large-scale cultivation of such organisms (e.g., toxic properties of products; physical, mechanical, and chemical aspects of downstream processing) are not addressed and shall be considered separately, albeit in conjunction with this grid.
Appendix K-VII-A. Accidental Release. An accidental release is the unintentional discharge of a microbiological agent (i.e., microorganism or virus) or eukaryotic cell due to a failure in the containment system.
Appendix K-VII-B. Biological Barrier. A biological barrier is an impediment (naturally occurring or introduced) to the infectivity and/or survival of a microbiological agent or eukaryotic cell once it has been released into the environment.
Appendix K-VII-C. Closed System. A closed system is one in which by its design and proper operation, prevents release of a microbiological agent or eukaryotic cell contained therein.
Appendix K-VII-D. Containment. Containment is the confinement of a microbiological agent or eukaryotic cell that is being cultured, stored, manipulated, transported, or destroyed in order to prevent or limit its contact with people and/or the environment. Methods used to achieve this include: physical and biological barriers and inactivation using physical or chemical means.
Appendix K-VII-E. De minimis Release. De minimis release is the release of: (i) viable microbiological agents or eukaryotic cells that does not result in the establishment of disease in healthy people, plants, or animals; or (ii) in uncontrolled proliferation of any microbiological agents or eukaryotic cells.
Appendix K-VII-F. Disinfection. Disinfection is a process by which viable microbiological agents or eukaryotic cells are reduced to a level unlikely to produce disease in healthy people, plants, or animals.
Appendix K-VII-G. Good Large Scale Practice Organism. For an organism to qualify for Good Large Scale Practice consideration, it must meet the following criteria [Reference: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Recombinant DNA Safety Considerations, 1987, p. 34-35]: (i) the host organism should be non-pathogenic, should not contain adventitious agents and should have an extended history of safe large-scale use or have built-in environmental limitations that permit optimum growth in the large-scale setting but limited survival without adverse consequences in the environment; (ii) the recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-engineered organism should be non-pathogenic, should be as safe in the large-scale setting as the host organism, and without adverse consequences in the environment; and (iii) the vector/insert should be well characterized and free from known harmful sequences; should be limited in size as much as possible to the DNA required to perform the intended function; should not increase the stability of the construct in the environment unless that is a requirement of the intended function; should be poorly mobilizable; and should not transfer any resistance markers to microorganisms unknown to acquire them naturally if such acquisition could compromise the use of a drug to control disease agents in human or veterinary medicine or agriculture.
Appendix K-VII-H. Inactivation. Inactivation is any process that destroys the ability of a specific microbiological agent or eukaryotic cell to self-replicate.
Appendix K-VII-I. Incidental Release. An incidental release is the discharge of a microbiological agent or eukaryotic cell from a containment system that is expected when the system is appropriately designed and properly operated and maintained.
Appendix K-VII-J. Minimization. Minimization is the design and operation of containment systems in order that any incidental release is a de minimis release.
Appendix K-VII-K. Pathogen. A pathogen is any microbiological agent or eukaryotic cell containing sufficient genetic information, which upon expression of such information, is capable of producing disease in healthy people, plants, or animals.
Appendix K-VII-L. Physical Barrier. A physical barrier is considered any equipment, facilities, or devices (e.g., fermentors, factories, filters, thermal oxidizers) which are designed to achieve containment.
Appendix K-VII-M. Release. Release is the discharge of a microbiological agent or eukaryotic cell from a containment system. Discharges can be incidental or accidental. Incidental releases are de minimis in nature; accidental releases may be de minimis in nature.
***********************************************************************************************************************
Appendix L specifies physical and biological containment conditions and practices suitable to the greenhouse conduct of experiments involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-containing plants, plant-associated microorganisms, and small animals. All provisions of the NIH Guidelines apply to plant research activities with the following modifications:
Appendix L shall supersede Appendix G (Physical Containment) when the research plants are of a size, number, or have growth requirements that preclude the use of containment conditions described in Appendix G. The plants covered in Appendix L include but are not limited to mosses, liverworts, macroscopic algae, and vascular plants including terrestrial crops, forest, and ornamental species.
Plant-associated microorganisms include viroids, virusoids, viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, certain small algae, and microorganisms that have a benign or beneficial association with plants, such as certain Rhizobium species and microorganisms known to cause plant diseases. The appendix applies to microorganisms which are being modified with the objective of fostering an association with plants.
Plant-associated small animals include those arthropods that: (i) are in obligate association with plants, (ii) are plant pests, (iii) are plant pollinators, or (iv) transmit plant disease agents, as well as other small animals such as nematodes for which tests of biological properties necessitate the use of plants. Microorganisms associated with such small animals (e.g., pathogens or symbionts) are included.
The Institutional Biosafety Committee shall include at least one individual with expertise in plant, plant pathogen, or plant pest containment principles when experiments utilizing Appendix L require prior approval by the Institutional Biosafety Committee.
Appendix L-I-A. The principal purpose of plant containment is to avoid the unintentional transmission of a recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-containing plant genome, including nuclear or organelle hereditary material or release of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-derived organisms associated with plants.
Appendix L-I-B. The containment principles are based on the recognition that the organisms that are used pose no health threat to humans or higher animals (unless deliberately modified for that purpose), and that the containment conditions minimize the possibility of an unanticipated deleterious effect on organisms and ecosystems outside of the experimental facility, e.g., the inadvertent spread of a serious pathogen from a greenhouse to a local agricultural crop or the unintentional introduction and establishment of an organism in a new ecosystem.
Appendix L-I-C. Four biosafety levels, referred to as Biosafety Level (BL) 1 - Plants (P), BL2-P, BL3-P, and BL4-P, are established in Appendix L-II, Physical Containment Levels. The selection of containment levels required for research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules in plants or associated with plants is specified in Appendix L-III, Biological Containment Practices. These biosafety levels are described in Appendix L-II, Physical Containment Levels. This appendix describes greenhouse practices and special greenhouse facilities for physical containment.
Appendix L-I-D. BL1-P through BL4-P are designed to provide differential levels of biosafety for plants in the absence or presence of other experimental organisms that contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. These biosafety levels, in conjunction with biological containment conditions described in Appendix L-III, Biological Containment Practices, provide flexible approaches to ensure the safe conduct of research.
Appendix L-I-E. For experiments in which plants are grown at the BL1 through BL4 laboratory settings, containment practices shall be followed as described in Appendix G, Physical Containment. These containment practices include the use of plant tissue culture rooms, growth chambers within laboratory facilities, or experiments performed on open benches. Additional biological containment practices should be added by the Greenhouse Director or Institutional Biosafety Committee as necessary (see Appendix L-III, Biological Containment Practices), if botanical reproductive structures are produced that have the potential of being released.
Appendix L-II-A-1-a-(1). Access to the greenhouse shall be limited or restricted, at the discretion of the Greenhouse Director, when experiments are in progress.
Appendix L-II-A-1-a-(2). Prior to entering the greenhouse, personnel shall be required to read and follow instructions on BL1-P greenhouse practices and procedures. All procedures shall be performed in accordance with accepted greenhouse practices that are appropriate to the experimental organism.
Appendix L-II-A-1-b-(1). A record shall be kept of experiments currently in progress in the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-A-1-c-(1). Experimental organisms shall be rendered biologically inactive by appropriate methods before disposal outside of the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-A-1-d-(1). A program shall be implemented to control undesired species (e.g., weed, rodent, or arthropod pests and pathogens), by methods appropriate to the organisms and in accordance with applicable state and Federal laws.
Appendix L-II-A-1-d-(2). Arthropods and other motile macroorganisms shall be housed in appropriate cages. If macroorganisms (e.g., flying arthropods or nematodes) are released within the greenhouse, precautions shall be taken to minimize escape from the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-A-1-e-(1). Experiments involving other organisms that require a containment level lower than BL1-P may be conducted in the greenhouse concurrently with experiments that require BL1-P containment, provided that all work is conducted in accordance with BL1-P greenhouse practices.
Appendix L-II-A-2-a-(1). The term "greenhouse" refers to a structure with walls, a roof, and a floor designed and used principally for growing plants in a controlled and protected environment. The walls and roof are usually constructed of transparent or translucent material to allow passage of sunlight for plant growth.
Appendix L-II-A-2-a-(2). The term "greenhouse facility" includes the actual greenhouse rooms or compartments for growing plants, including all immediately contiguous hallways and head-house areas, and is considered part of the confinement area.
Appendix L-II-A-2-b-(1). The greenhouse floor may be composed of gravel or other porous material. At a minimum, impervious (e.g., concrete) walkways are recommended.
Appendix L-II-A-2-b-(2). Windows and other openings in the walls and roof of the greenhouse facility may be open for ventilation as needed for proper operation and do not require any special barrier to contain or exclude pollen, microorganisms, or small flying animals (e.g., arthropods and birds); however, screens are recommended.
Appendix L-II-B-1-a-(1). Access to the greenhouse shall be limited or restricted, at the discretion of the Greenhouse Director, to individuals directly involved with the experiments when they are in progress.
Appendix L-II-B-1-a-(2). Personnel shall be required to read and follow instructions on BL2-P practices and procedures. All procedures shall be conducted in accordance with accepted greenhouse practices that are appropriate to the experimental organisms.
Appendix L-II-B-1-b-(1). A record shall be kept of experimental plants, microorganisms, or small animals that are brought into or removed from the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-B-1-b-(2). A record shall be kept of experiments currently in progress in the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-B-1-b-(3). The Principal Investigator shall report any greenhouse accident involving the inadvertent release or spill of microorganisms to the Greenhouse Director, Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP and other appropriate authorities immediately (if applicable). Reports to the NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Documentation of any such accident shall be prepared and maintained.
Appendix L-II-B-1-c-(1). Experimental organisms shall be rendered biologically inactive by appropriate methods before disposal outside of the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-B-1-c-(2). Decontamination of run-off water is not necessarily required. If part of the greenhouse is composed of gravel or similar material, appropriate treatments should be made periodically to eliminate, or render inactive, any organisms potentially entrapped by the gravel.
Appendix L-II-B-1-d-(1). A program shall be implemented to control undesired species (e.g., weed, rodent, or arthropod pests and pathogens) by methods appropriate to the organisms and in accordance with applicable state and Federal laws.
Appendix L-II-B-1-d-(2). Arthropods and other motile macroorganisms shall be housed in appropriate cages. If macroorganisms (e.g., flying arthropods or nematodes) are released within the greenhouse, precautions shall be taken to minimize escape from the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-B-1-e-(1). Experiments involving other organisms that require a containment level lower than BL2-P may be conducted in the greenhouse concurrently with experiments that require BL2-P containment provided that all work is conducted in accordance with BL2-P greenhouse practices.
Appendix L-II-B-1-f-(1). A sign shall be posted indicating that a restricted experiment is in progress. The sign shall indicate the following: (i) the name of the responsible individual, (ii) the plants in use, and (iii) any special requirements for using the area.
Appendix L-II-B-1-f-(2). If organisms are used that have a recognized potential for causing serious detrimental impacts on managed or natural ecosystems, their presence shall be indicated on a sign posted on the greenhouse access doors.
Appendix L-II-B-1-f-(3). If there is a risk to human health, a sign shall be posted incorporating the universal biosafety symbol.
Appendix L-II-B-1-g-(1). Materials containing experimental microorganisms, which are brought into or removed from the greenhouse facility in a viable or intact state, shall be transferred in a closed non-breakable container.
Appendix L-II-B-1-h-(1). A greenhouse practices manual shall be prepared or adopted. This manual shall: (i) advise personnel of the potential consequences if such practices are not followed, and (ii) outline contingency plans to be implemented in the event of the unintentional release of organisms.
Appendix L-II-B-2-a-(1). The term "greenhouse" refers to a structure with walls, a roof, and a floor designed and used principally for growing plants in a controlled and protected environment. The walls and roof are usually constructed of transparent or translucent material to allow passage of sunlight for plant growth.
Appendix L-II-B-2-a-(2). The term "greenhouse facility" includes the actual greenhouse rooms or compartments for growing plants, including all immediately contiguous hallways and head-house areas and is considered part of the confinement area.
Appendix L-II-B-2-b-(1). A greenhouse floor composed of an impervious material. Concrete is recommended, but gravel or other porous material under benches is acceptable unless propagules of experimental organisms are readily disseminated through soil. Soil beds are acceptable unless propagules of experimental organisms are readily disseminated through soil.
Appendix L-II-B-2-b-(2). Windows and other openings in the walls and roof of the greenhouse facility may be open for ventilation as needed for proper operation and do not require any special barrier to exclude pollen or microorganisms; however, screens are required to exclude small flying animals (e.g., arthropods and birds).
Appendix L-II-B-2-c-(1). An autoclave shall be available for the treatment of contaminated greenhouse materials.
Appendix L-II-B-2-d-(1). If intake fans are used, measures shall be taken to minimize the ingress of arthropods. Louvers or fans shall be constructed such that they can only be opened when the fan is in operation.
Appendix L-II-B-2-e-(1). BL2-P greenhouse containment requirements may be satisfied by using a growth chamber or growth room within a building provided that the external physical structure limits access and escape of microorganisms and macroorganisms in a manner that satisfies the intent of the foregoing clauses.
Appendix L-II-C-1-a-(1). Authorized entry into the greenhouse shall be restricted to individuals who are required for program or support purposes. The Greenhouse Director shall be responsible for assessing each circumstance and determining those individuals who are authorized to enter the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-C-1-a-(2). Prior to entering the greenhouse, personnel shall be required to read and follow instructions on BL3-P practices and procedures. All procedures shall be conducted in accordance with accepted greenhouse practices that are appropriate to the experimental organisms.
Appendix L-II-C-1-b-(1). A record shall be kept of experimental plants, microorganisms, or small animals that are brought into or removed from the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-C-1-b-(2). A record shall be kept of experiments currently in progress in the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-C-1-b-(3). The Principal Investigator shall report any greenhouse accident involving the inadvertent release or spill of microorganisms to the Biological Safety Officer, Greenhouse Director, Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities immediately (if applicable). Reports to the NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Documentation of any such accident shall be prepared and maintained.
Appendix L-II-C-1-c-(1). All experimental materials shall be sterilized in an autoclave or rendered biologically inactive by appropriate methods before disposal, except those that are to remain in a viable or intact state for experimental purposes; including water that comes in contact with experimental microorganisms or with material exposed to such microorganisms, and contaminated equipment and supplies.
Appendix L-II-C-1-d-(1). A program shall be implemented to control undesired species (e.g., weed, rodent, or arthropod pests and pathogens) by methods appropriate to the organisms and in accordance with applicable state and Federal laws.
Appendix L-II-C-1-d-(2). Arthropods and other motile macroorganisms shall be housed in appropriate cages. When appropriate to the organism, experiments shall be conducted within cages designed to contain the motile organisms.
Appendix L-II-C-1-e-(1). Experiments involving organisms that require a containment level lower than BL3-P may be conducted in the greenhouse concurrently with experiments that require BL3-P containment provided that all work is conducted in accordance with BL3-P greenhouse practices.
Appendix L-II-C-1-f-(1). A sign shall be posted indicating that a restricted experiment is in progress. The sign shall indicate the following: (i) the name of the responsible individual, (ii) the plants in use, and (iii) any special requirements for using the area.
Appendix L-II-C-1-f-(2). If organisms are used that have a recognized potential for causing serious detrimental impacts on managed or natural ecosystems, their presence should be indicated on a sign posted on the greenhouse access doors.
Appendix L-II-C-1-f-(3). If there is a risk to human health, a sign shall be posted incorporating the universal biosafety symbol.
Appendix L-II-C-1-g-(1). Experimental materials that are brought into or removed from the greenhouse facility in a viable or intact state shall be transferred to a non-breakable sealed secondary container. At the time of transfer, if the same plant species, host, or vector are present within the effective dissemination distance of propagules of the experimental organism, the surface of the secondary container shall be decontaminated. Decontamination may be accomplished by passage through a chemical disinfectant or fumigation chamber or by an alternative procedure that has demonstrated effective inactivation of the experimental organism.
Appendix L-II-C-1-h-(1). A greenhouse practices manual shall be prepared or adopted. This manual shall: (i) advise personnel of the potential consequences if such practices are not followed, and (ii) outline contingency plans to be implemented in the event of the unintentional release of organisms with recognized potential for serious detrimental impact.
Appendix L-II-C-1-i-(1). Disposable clothing (e.g., solid front or wrap-around gowns, scrub suits, or other appropriate clothing) shall be worn in the greenhouse if deemed necessary by the Greenhouse Director because of potential dissemination of the experimental microorganisms.
Appendix L-II-C-1-i-(2). Protective clothing shall be removed before exiting the greenhouse and decontaminated prior to laundering or disposal.
Appendix L-II-C-1-j-(1). Personnel are required to thoroughly wash their hands upon exiting the greenhouse.
Appendix L-II-C-1-j-(2). All procedures shall be performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols and excessive splashing of potting material/soil during watering, transplanting, and all experimental manipulations.
Appendix L-II-C-2-a-(1). The term "greenhouse" refers to a structure with walls, roof, and floor designed and used principally for growing plants in a controlled and protected environment. The walls and roof are usually constructed of transparent or translucent material to allow passage of sunlight for plant growth.
Appendix L-II-C-2-a-(2). The term "greenhouse facility"
includes the actual greenhouse rooms or compartments for growing plants,
including all immediately contiguous hallways and head-house areas, and is
considered part of the confinement area.
The need to maintain negative pressure should be considered when
constructing or renovating the greenhouse.
Appendix L-II-C-2-b-(1). The greenhouse floor shall be composed of concrete or other impervious material with provision for collection and decontamination of liquid run-off.
Appendix L-II-C-2-b-(2). Windows shall be closed and sealed. All glazing shall be resistant to breakage (e.g., double-pane tempered glass or equivalent).
Appendix L-II-C-2-b-(3). The greenhouse shall be a closed self-contained structure with a continuous covering that is separated from areas that are open to unrestricted traffic flow. The minimum requirement for greenhouse entry shall be passage through two sets of self-closing locking doors.
Appendix L-II-C-2-b-(4). The greenhouse facility shall be surrounded by a security fence or protected by equivalent security measures.
Appendix L-II-C-2-b-(5). Internal walls, ceilings, and floors shall be resistant to penetration by liquids and chemicals to facilitate cleaning and decontamination of the area. All penetrations into these structures and surfaces (e.g., plumbing and utilities) shall be sealed.
Appendix L-II-C-2-b-(6). Bench tops and other work surfaces should have seamless surfaces that are impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.
Appendix L-II-C-2-b-(7). The greenhouse contains a foot, elbow, or automatically operated sink, which is located near the exit door for hand washing.
Appendix L-II-C-2-c-(1). An autoclave shall be available for decontaminating materials within the greenhouse facility. A double-door autoclave is recommended (not required) for the decontamination of materials passing out of the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-C-2-d-(1). An individual supply and exhaust air ventilation system shall be provided. The system maintains pressure differentials and directional airflow, as required, to assure inward (or zero) airflow from areas outside of the greenhouse.
Appendix L-II-C-2-d-(2). The exhaust air from the greenhouse facility shall be filtered through high efficiency particulate air-HEPA filters and discharged to the outside. The filter chambers shall be designed to allow in situ decontamination before filters are removed and to facilitate certification testing after they are replaced. Air filters shall be 80-85% average efficiency by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 52-68 test method using atmosphere dust. Air supply fans shall be equipped with a back-flow damper that closes when the air supply fan is off. Alternatively, a HEPA filter may be used on the air supply system instead of the filters and damper. The supply and exhaust airflow shall be interlocked to assure inward (or zero) airflow at all times.
Appendix L-II-C-2-e-(1). BL3-P greenhouse containment requirements may be satisfied using a growth chamber or growth room within a building provided that the location, access, airflow patterns, and provisions for decontamination of experimental materials and supplies meet the intent of the foregoing clauses.
Appendix L-II-C-2-e-(2). Vacuum lines shall be protected with high efficiency particulate air/HEPA or equivalent filters and liquid disinfectant traps.
Appendix L-II-D-1-a-(1). Authorized entry into the greenhouse shall be restricted to individuals who are required for program or support purposes. The Greenhouse Director shall be responsible for assessing each circumstance and determining those individuals who are authorized to enter the greenhouse facility or work in the greenhouse during experiments.
Appendix L-II-D-1-a-(2). Access shall be managed by the Greenhouse Director, Biological Safety Officer, or other individual responsible for physical security of the greenhouse facility; and access limited by means of secure, locked doors.
Appendix L-II-D-1-a-(3). Prior to entering, individuals shall be advised of the potential environmental hazards and instructed on appropriate safeguards for ensuring environmental safety. Individuals authorized to enter the greenhouse facility shall comply with the instructions and all other applicable entry/exit procedures.
Appendix L-II-D-1-a-(4). Personnel shall enter and exit the greenhouse facility only through the clothing change and shower rooms and shall shower each time they exit the greenhouse facility. Personnel shall use the airlocks to enter or exit the laboratory only in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, every reasonable effort should be made to prevent the possible transport of viable propagules from containment.
Appendix L-II-D-1-a-(5). Prior to entering the greenhouse, personnel shall be required to read and follow instructions on BL4-P practices and procedures.
Appendix L-II-D-1-b-(1). A record shall be kept of all experimental materials brought into or removed from the greenhouse.
Appendix L-II-D-1-b-(2). A record shall be kept of experiments currently in progress in the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-D-1-b-(3). A record shall be kept of all personnel entering and exiting the greenhouse facility, including the date and time of each entry.
Appendix L-II-D-1-b-(4). The Principal Investigator shall report any greenhouse accident involving the inadvertent release or spill of microorganisms to the Biological Safety Officer, Greenhouse Director, Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities immediately (if applicable). Reports to the NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Documentation of any such accident shall be prepared and maintained.
Appendix L-II-D-1-c-(1). All materials, except for those that are to remain in a viable or intact state for experimental purposes, shall be autoclaved prior to removal from the maximum containment greenhouse. Equipment or material that could be damaged by high temperatures or steam shall be decontaminated by alternative methods (e.g., gas or vapor sterilization) in an airlock or chamber designed for this purpose.
Appendix L-II-D-1-c-(2). Water that comes in contact with experimental microorganisms or with material exposed to such microorganisms (e.g., run-off from watering plants) shall be collected and decontaminated before disposal.
Appendix L-II-D-1-c-(3). Standard microbiological procedures shall be followed for decontamination of equipment and materials. Spray or liquid waste or rinse water from containers used to apply the experimental microorganisms shall be decontaminated before disposal.
Appendix L-II-D-1-d-(1). A chemical control program shall be implemented to eliminate undesired pests and pathogens in accordance with applicable state and Federal laws.
Appendix L-II-D-1-d-(2). Arthropods and other motile macroorganisms used in conjunction with experiments requiring BL4-P level physical containment shall be housed in appropriate cages. When appropriate to the organism, experiments shall be conducted within cages designed to contain the motile organisms.
Appendix L-II-D-1-e-(1). Experiments involving organisms that require a containment level lower than BL4-P may be conducted in the greenhouse concurrently with experiments that require BL4-P containment provided that all work is conducted in accordance with BL4-P greenhouse practices. When the experimental microorganisms in use require a containment level lower than BL4-P, greenhouse practices reflect the level of containment required by the highest containment level microorganisms being tested.
Appendix L-II-D-1-f-(1). A sign shall be posted indicating that a restricted experiment is in progress. The sign shall indicate the following: (i) the name of the responsible individual, (ii) the plants in use, and (iii) any special requirements for using the area.
Appendix L-II-D-1-f-(2). If organisms are used that have a recognized potential for causing serious detrimental impacts on managed or natural ecosystems, their presence shall be indicated by a sign posted on the greenhouse access doors.
Appendix L-II-D-1-f-(3). If there is a risk to human health, a sign shall be posted incorporating the universal biosafety symbol.
Appendix L-II-D-1-g-(1). Experimental materials that are brought into or removed from the greenhouse in a viable or intact state shall be transferred to a non-breakable, sealed, primary container then enclosed in a non-breakable, sealed secondary container. These containers shall be removed from the greenhouse facility through a chemical disinfectant, fumigation chamber, or an airlock designed for this purpose.
Appendix L-II-D-1-g-(2). Supplies and materials shall be brought into the greenhouse facility through a double-door autoclave, fumigation chamber, or airlock that is appropriately decontaminated between each use. After securing the outer doors, personnel within the greenhouse facility shall retrieve the materials by opening the interior door of the autoclave, fumigation chamber, or airlock. These doors shall be secured after the materials are brought into the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-D-1-h-(1). A greenhouse practices manual shall be prepared or adopted. This manual shall include contingency plans to be implemented in the event of the unintentional release of experimental organisms.
Appendix L-II-D-1-i-(1). Street clothing shall be removed in the outer clothing change room. Complete laboratory clothing (may be disposable) including undergarments, pants, and shirts, jump suits, shoes, and hats shall be provided and worn by all personnel entering the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-D-1-i-(2). Personnel shall remove laboratory clothing when exiting the greenhouse facility and before entering the shower area. This clothing shall be stored in a locker or hamper in the inner change room.
Appendix L-II-D-1-i-(3). All laboratory clothing shall be autoclaved before laundering.
Appendix L-II-D-2-a-(1). The maximum containment greenhouse facility shall consist of a separate building or a clearly demarcated and isolated area within a building. The need to maintain negative pressure should be considered when constructing or renovating the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-D-2-a-(2). Outer and inner change rooms, separated by a shower, shall be provided for personnel entering and exiting the greenhouse facility.
Appendix L-II-D-2-a-(3). Windows shall be closed and sealed. All glazing shall be resistant to breakage (e.g., double-pane tempered glass or equivalent).
Appendix L-II-D-2-a-(4). Access doors to the greenhouse shall be self-closing and locking.
Appendix L-II-D-2-a-(5). The greenhouse facility shall be surrounded by a security fence or protected by equivalent security measures.
Appendix L-II-D-2-a-(6). The walls, floors, and ceilings of the greenhouse shall be constructed to form a sealed internal shell that facilitates fumigation and is animal and arthropod-proof. These internal surfaces shall be resistant to penetration and degradation by liquids and chemicals to facilitate cleaning and decontamination of the area. All penetrations into these structures and surfaces (e.g., plumbing and utilities) shall be sealed.
Appendix L-II-D-2-a-(7). Bench tops and other work surfaces shall have seamless surfaces impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.
Appendix L-II-D-2-a-(8). A double-door autoclave, fumigation chamber, or ventilated airlock shall be provided for passage of all materials, supplies, or equipment that are not brought into the greenhouse facility through the change room.
Appendix L-II-D-2-b-(1). A double-door autoclave shall be provided for the decontamination of materials removed from the greenhouse facility. The autoclave door, which opens to the area external to the greenhouse facility, shall be sealed to the outer wall and automatically controlled so that it can only be opened upon completion of the sterilization cycle.
Appendix L-II-D-2-c-(1). An individual supply and exhaust air ventilation system shall be provided. The system shall maintain pressure differentials and directional airflow as required to assure inward (or zero) airflow from areas outside of the greenhouse. Differential pressure transducers shall be used to sense pressure levels. If a system malfunctions, the transducers shall sound an alarm. A backup source of power should be considered. The supply and exhaust airflow shall be interlocked to assure inward (or zero) airflow at all times. The integrity of the greenhouse shall have an air leak rate (decay rate) not to exceed 7 percent per minute (logarithm of pressure against time) over a 20-minute period at 2 inches of water gauge pressure. Nominally, this is 0.05 inches of water gauge pressure loss in 1 minute at 2 inches water gauge pressure.
Appendix L-II-D-2-c-(2). Exhaust air from the greenhouse facility shall be filtered through high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters and discharged to the outside and dispersed away from occupied buildings and air intakes. Filter chambers shall be designed to allow in situ decontamination before filters are removed and to facilitate certification testing after they are replaced. HEPA filters shall be provided to treat air supplied to the greenhouse facility. HEPA filters shall be certified annually.
Appendix L-II-D-2-d-(1). Sewer vents and other ventilation lines contain high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters. HEPA filters shall be certified annually.
Appendix L-II-D-2-d-(2). A pass-through dunk tank, fumigation chamber, or an equivalent method of decontamination shall be provided to ensure decontamination of materials and equipment that cannot be decontaminated in the autoclave.
Appendix L-II-D-2-d-(3). Liquid effluent from sinks, floors, and autoclave chambers shall be decontaminated by heat or chemical treatment before being released from the maximum containment greenhouse facility. Liquid wastes from shower rooms and toilets may be decontaminated by heat or chemical treatment. Autoclave and chemical decontamination of liquid wastes shall be evaluated by appropriate standard procedures for autoclaved wastes. Decontamination shall be evaluated mechanically and biologically using a recording thermometer and an indicator microorganism with a defined heat susceptibility pattern. If liquid wastes are decontaminated with chemical disinfectants, the chemicals used must have demonstrated efficacy against the target or indicator microorganisms.
Appendix L-II-D-2-d-(4). If there is a central vacuum system, it shall not serve areas outside of the greenhouse facility. In-line high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters shall be placed as near as practicable to each use point or vacuum service cock. Other liquid and gas services to the greenhouse facility shall be protected by devices that prevent back-flow. HEPA filters shall be certified annually.
Appropriate selection of the following biological containment practices may be used to meet the containment requirements for a given organism. The present list is not exhaustive; there may be other ways of preventing effective dissemination that could possibly lead to the establishment of the organism or its genetic material in the environment resulting in deleterious consequences to managed or natural ecosystems.
Appendix L-III-A-1. Effective dissemination of plants by pollen or seed can be prevented by one or more of the following procedures: (i) cover the reproductive structures to prevent pollen dissemination at flowering and seed dissemination at maturity; (ii) remove reproductive structures by employing male sterile strains, or harvest the plant material prior to the reproductive stage; (iii) ensure that experimental plants flower at a time of year when cross-fertile plants are not flowering within the normal pollen dispersal range of the experimental plant; or (iv) ensure that cross-fertile plants are not growing within the known pollen dispersal range of the experimental plant.
Appendix L-III-B-1. Effective dissemination of microorganisms beyond the confines of the greenhouse can be prevented by one or more of the following procedures: (i) confine all operations to injections of microorganisms or other biological procedures (including genetic manipulation) that limit replication or reproduction of viruses and microorganisms or sequences derived from microorganisms, and confine these injections to internal plant parts or adherent plant surfaces; (ii) ensure that organisms, which can serve as hosts or promote the transmission of the virus or microorganism, are not present within the farthest distance that the airborne virus or microorganism may be expected to be effectively disseminated; (iii) conduct experiments at a time of year when plants that can serve as hosts are either not growing or are not susceptible to productive infection; (iv) use viruses and other microorganisms or their genomes that have known arthropod or animal vectors, in the absence of such vectors; (v) use microorganisms that have an obligate association with the plant; or (vi) use microorganisms that are genetically disabled to minimize survival outside of the research facility and whose natural mode of transmission requires injury of the target organism, or assures that inadvertent release is unlikely to initiate productive infection of organisms outside of the experimental facility.
Appendix L-III-C-1. Effective dissemination of arthropods and other small animals can be prevented by using one or more of the following procedures: (i) use non-flying, flight-impaired, or sterile arthropods; (ii) use non-motile or sterile strains of small animals; (iii) conduct experiments at a time of year that precludes the survival of escaping organisms; (iv) use animals that have an obligate association with a plant that is not present within the dispersal range of the organism; or (v) prevent the escape of organisms present in run-off water by chemical treatment or evaporation of run-off water. Containment for arthropods is described in the Arthropod Containment Guidelines and Addendum 1 Containment Practices for Arthropods Modified with Engineered Transgenes Capable of Gene Drive (see Appendix G-III-B).
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APPENDIX M. PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONTAINMENT FOR
RECOMBINANT OR SYNTHETIC NUCLEIC ACID MOLECULE RESEARCH INVOLVING ANIMALS
Appendix M specifies containment and confinement practices for research involving whole animals, both those in which the animal's genome has been altered by stable introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, or DNA derived therefrom, into the germ-line (transgenic animals) and experiments involving viable recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-modified microorganisms tested on whole animals. The appendix applies to animal research activities with the following modifications:
Appendix M shall supersede Appendix G (Physical Containment) when research animals are of a size or have growth requirements that preclude the use of containment for laboratory animals. Some animals may require other types of containment (see Appendix M-III-D, Footnotes and References for Appendix M). The animals covered in Appendix M are those species normally categorized as animals including but not limited to cattle, swine, sheep, goats, horses, and poultry.
The Institutional Biosafety Committee shall include at least one scientist with expertise in animal containment principles when experiments utilizing Appendix M require Institutional Biosafety Committee prior approval.
The institution shall establish and maintain a health surveillance program for personnel engaged in animal research involving viable recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-containing microorganisms that require Biosafety Level (BL) 3 or greater containment in the laboratory.
The containment levels required for research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules associated with or in animals is based on classification of experiments in Section III, Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines. For the purpose of animal research, four levels of containment are established. These are referred to as BL1-Animals (N), BL2-N, BL3-N, and BL4-N and are described in the following appendices of Appendix M. The descriptions include: (i) standard practices for physical and biological containment, and (ii) animal facilities.
Appendix M-I-B-1. When an animal covered by Appendix M containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules or a recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-derived organism is euthanized or dies, the carcass shall be disposed of to avoid its use as food for human beings or animals unless food use is specifically authorized by an appropriate Federal agency.
Appendix M-I-B-2. A permanent record shall be maintained of the experimental use and disposal of each animal or group of animals.
Appendix M-II-A-1-a-(1). The containment area shall be locked.
Appendix M-II-A-1-a-(2). Access to the containment area shall be limited or restricted when experimental animals are being held.
Appendix M-II-A-1-a-(3). The containment area shall be patrolled or monitored at frequent intervals.
Appendix M-II-A-1-b-(1). All genetically engineered neonates shall be permanently marked within 72 hours after birth, if their size permits. If their size does not permit marking, their containers should be marked. In addition, transgenic animals should contain distinct and biochemically assayable DNA sequences that allow identification of transgenic animals from among non-transgenic animals.
Appendix M-II-A-1-b-(2) A double barrier shall be provided to separate male and female animals unless reproductive studies are part of the experiment or other measures are taken to avoid reproductive transmission. Reproductive incapacitation may be used.
Appendix M-II-A-1-b-(3). The containment area shall be in accordance with state and Federal laws and animal care requirements.
Appendix M-II-A-2-a. Animals shall be confined to securely fenced areas or be in enclosed structures (animal rooms) to minimize the possibility of theft or unintentional release.
Appendix M-II-B-1-a-(1). The containment area shall be locked.
Appendix M-II-B-1-a-(2). The containment area shall be patrolled or monitored at frequent intervals.
Appendix M-II-B-1-a-(3). The containment building shall be controlled and have a locking access.
Appendix M-II-B-1-a-(4). The Animal Facility Director shall establish policies and procedures whereby only persons who have been advised of the potential hazard and who meet any specific entry requirements (e.g., vaccination) may enter the laboratory or animal rooms.
Appendix M-II-B-1-a-(5). Animals of the same or different species, which are not involved in the work being performed, shall not be permitted in the animal area.
Appendix M-II-B-1-b-(1). Contaminated materials that are decontaminated at a site away from the laboratory shall be placed in a closed durable leak-proof container prior to removal from the laboratory.
Appendix M-II-B-1-b-(2). Needles and syringes shall be promptly placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably by autoclaving, before discard or reuse.
Appendix M-II-B-1-c-(1). When the animal research requires special provisions for entry (e.g., vaccination), a warning sign incorporating the universal biosafety symbol shall be posted on all access doors to the animal work area. The sign shall indicate: (i) the agent, (ii) the animal species, (iii) the name and telephone number of the Animal Facility Director or other responsible individual, and (iv) any special requirements for entering the laboratory.
Appendix M-II-B-1-d-(1). Laboratory coats, gowns, smocks, or uniforms shall be worn while in the animal area or attached laboratory. Before entering non-laboratory areas (e.g., cafeteria, library, administrative offices), protective clothing shall be removed and kept in the work entrance area.
Appendix M-II-B-1-d-(2). Special care shall be taken to avoid skin contamination with microorganisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Impervious and/or protective gloves shall be worn when handling experimental animals and when skin contact with an infectious agent is unavoidable.
Appendix M-II-B-1-e-(1). Any incident involving spills and accidents that result in environmental release or exposures of animals or laboratory workers to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be reported immediately to the Animal Facility Director, Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities (if applicable). Reports to the NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment shall be provided as appropriate and written records maintained. If necessary, the area shall be appropriately decontaminated.
Appendix M-II-B-1-e-(2). When appropriate and giving consideration to the agent handled, baseline serum samples shall be collected and stored for animal care and other at-risk personnel. Additional serum specimens may be collected periodically depending on the agent handled and the function of the animal facility.
Appendix M-II-B-1-f-(1). Biological materials removed from the animal containment area in a viable or intact state shall be transferred to a non-breakable sealed primary container and then enclosed in a non-breakable sealed secondary container. All containers, primary and secondary, shall be disinfected before removal from the animal facility. Advance approval for transfer of material shall be obtained from the Animal Facility Director. Packages containing viable agents may only be opened in a facility having an equivalent or higher level of physical containment unless the agent is biologically inactivated or incapable of reproduction.
Appendix M-II-B-1-g-(1). All genetically engineered neonates shall be permanently marked within 72 hours after birth, if their size permits. If their size does not permit marking, their containers should be marked. In addition, transgenic animals should contain distinct and biochemically assayable DNA sequences that allow identification of transgenic animals from among non-transgenic animals.
Appendix M-II-B-1-g-(2). Needles and syringes shall be used only for parenteral injection and aspiration of fluids from laboratory animals and diaphragm bottles. Only needle-locking syringes or disposable syringe-needle units (i.e., needle is integral to the syringe) shall be used for the injection or aspiration of fluids containing organisms that contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Extreme caution shall be used when handling needles and syringes to avoid autoinoculation and the generation of aerosols during use and disposal. Following use, needles shall not be bent, sheared, replaced in the needle sheath or guard, or removed from the syringe. Needles and syringes shall be promptly placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably by autoclaving, before discard or reuse.
Appendix M-II-B-1-g-(3). Appropriate steps should be taken to prevent horizontal transmission or exposure of laboratory personnel. If the agent used as a vector is known to be transmitted by a particular route (e.g., arthropods), special attention should be given to preventing spread by that route. In the absence of specific knowledge of a particular route of transmission, all potential means of horizontal transmission (e.g., arthropods, contaminated bedding, or animal waste, etc.) should be prevented.
Appendix M-II-B-1-g-(4). Eating, drinking, smoking, and applying cosmetics shall not be permitted in the work area.
Appendix M-II-B-1-g-(5). Individuals who handle materials and animals containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be required to wash their hands before exiting the containment area.
Appendix M-II-B-1-g-(6). A double barrier shall be provided to separate male and female animals unless reproductive studies are part of the experiment or other measures are taken to avoid reproductive transmission. Reproductive incapacitation may be used.
Appendix M-II-B-1-g-(7). The containment area shall be in accordance with state and Federal laws and animal care requirements.
Appendix M-II-B-1-g-(8). A biosafety manual shall be prepared or adopted. Personnel shall be advised of special hazards and required to read and follow instructions on practices and procedures.
Appendix M-II-B-2-a. Animals shall be contained within an enclosed structure (animal room or equivalent) to minimize the possibility of theft or unintentional release and to avoid arthropod access. The special provision to avoid the entry or escape of arthropods from the animal areas may be waived if the agent in use is not known to be transmitted by arthropods.
Appendix M-II-B-2-b. Surfaces shall be impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat.
Appendix M-II-B-2-c. The animal containment area shall be designed so that it can be easily cleaned.
Appendix M-II-B-2-d. Windows that open shall be fitted with fly screens.
Appendix M-II-B-2-e. An autoclave shall be available for decontamination of laboratory wastes.
Appendix M-II-B-2-f. If arthropods are used in the experiment or the agent under study can be transmitted by an arthropod, interior work areas shall be appropriately screened (52 mesh). All perimeter joints and openings shall be sealed and additional arthropod control mechanisms used to minimize arthropod entry and propagation, including appropriate screening of access doors or the equivalent.
Appendix M-II-C-1-a-(1). The containment area shall be locked.
Appendix M-II-C-1-a-(2). The containment area shall be patrolled or monitored at frequent intervals.
Appendix M-II-C-1-a-(3). The containment building shall be controlled and have a locking access.
Appendix M-II-C-1-a-(4). The Animal Facility Director shall establish policies and procedures whereby only persons who have been advised of the potential hazard and who meet any specific entry requirements (e.g., vaccination) shall enter the laboratory or animal rooms.
Appendix M-II-C-1-a-(5). Animal room doors, gates, or other closures shall be kept closed when experiments are in progress.
Appendix M-II-C-1-b-(1). The work surfaces of containment equipment shall be decontaminated when work with organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules is finished. Where feasible, plastic-backed paper toweling shall be used on nonporous work surfaces to facilitate clean-up.
Appendix M-II-C-1-b-(2). All animals shall be euthanized at the end of their experimental usefulness and the carcasses decontaminated before disposal in an approved manner.
Appendix M-II-C-1-b-(3). Needles and syringes shall be promptly placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably by autoclaving, before discard or reuse.
Appendix M-II-C-1-b-(4). Special safety testing, decontamination procedures, and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval shall be required to transfer agents or tissue/organ specimens from a BL3-N animal facility to a facility with a lower containment classification.
Appendix M-II-C-1-b-(5). Liquid effluent from containment equipment, sinks,
biological safety cabinets, animal rooms, primary barriers, floor drains, and
sterilizers shall be decontaminated by heat treatment before being released
into the sanitary system. The procedure
used for heat decontamination of liquid wastes shall be monitored with a
recording thermometer. The effectiveness
of the heat decontamination process system shall be revalidated at minimum on a
yearly basis with an indicator organism.
More frequent validation, based on the amount of use or other safety factors, shall be left to the discretion
of the IBC.
Appendix M-II-C-1-c-(1). When the animal research requires special provisions for entry (e.g., vaccination), a warning sign incorporating the universal biosafety symbol shall be posted on all access doors to the animal work area. The sign shall indicate: (i) the agent, (ii) the animal species, (iii) the name and telephone number of the Animal Facility Director or other responsible individual, and (iv) any special requirements for entering the laboratory.
Appendix M-II-C-1-d-(1). Full protective clothing that protects the individual (e.g., scrub suits, coveralls, uniforms) shall be worn in the animal area. Clothing shall not be worn outside the animal containment area and shall be decontaminated before laundering or disposal. Personnel shall be required to shower before exiting the BL3-N area and wearing of personal clothing.
Appendix M-II-C-1-d-(2). Special care shall be taken to avoid skin contamination with microorganisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Impervious and/or protective gloves shall be worn when handling experimental animals and when skin contact with an infectious agent is unavoidable.
Appendix M-II-C-1-d-(3). Appropriate respiratory protection shall be worn in rooms containing experimental animals.
Appendix M-II-C-1-e-(1). Documents regarding experimental animal use and disposal shall be maintained in a permanent record book.
Appendix M-II-C-1-e-(2). Any incident involving spills and accidents that result in environmental release or exposure of animals or laboratory workers to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be reported immediately to the Biological Safety Office, Animal Facility Director, Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities (if applicable). Reports to the NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment shall be provided as appropriate and written records maintained. If necessary, the area shall be appropriately decontaminated.
Appendix M-II-C-1-e-(3). When appropriate and giving consideration to the agent handled, baseline serum samples shall be collected and stored for animal care and other at-risk personnel. Additional serum specimens may be collected periodically depending on the agent handled or the function of the facility.
Appendix M-II-C-1-f-(1). Biological materials removed from the animal containment laboratory in a viable or intact state shall be transferred to a non-breakable sealed primary container and then enclosed in a non-breakable sealed secondary container. All containers, primary and secondary, shall be disinfected before removal from the animal facility. Advance approval for transfer of material shall be obtained from the Animal Facility Director. Packages containing viable agents may be opened only in a facility having an equivalent or higher level of physical containment unless the agent is biologically inactivated or incapable of reproduction.
Appendix M-II-C-1-f-(2). Special safety testing, decontamination procedures, and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval shall be required to transfer agents or tissue/organ specimens from a BL3-N animal facility to a facility with a lower containment classification.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(1). All genetically engineered neonates shall be permanently marked within 72 hours after birth, if their size permits. If their size does not permit marking, their containers should be marked. In addition, transgenic animals should contain distinct and biochemically assayable DNA sequences that allow identification of transgenic animals from among non-transgenic animals.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(2). Appropriate steps should be taken to prevent horizontal transmission or exposure of laboratory personnel. If the agent used as the vector is known to be transmitted by a particular route (e.g., arthropods), special attention should be given to preventing spread by that route. In the absence of specific knowledge of a particular route of transmission, all potential means of horizontal transmission (e.g., arthropods, contaminated bedding, or animal waste) should be prevented.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(3). Eating, drinking, smoking, and applying cosmetics shall not be permitted in the work area.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(4). Individuals who handle materials and animals containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be required to wash their hands before exiting the containment area.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(5). Experiments involving other organisms that require containment levels lower than BL3-N may be conducted in the same area concurrently with experiments requiring BL3-N containment provided that they are conducted in accordance with BL3-N practices.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(6). Animal holding areas shall be cleaned at least once a day and decontaminated immediately following any spill of viable materials.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(7). All procedures shall be performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(8). A double barrier shall be provided to separate male and female animals unless reproductive studies are part of the experiment or other measures are taken to avoid reproductive transmission. Reproductive incapacitation may be used.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(9). The containment area shall be in accordance with state and Federal laws and animal care requirements.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(10). All animals shall be euthanized at the end of their experimental usefulness and the carcasses decontaminated before disposal in an approved manner.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(11). Personnel shall be required to shower before exiting the BL3-N area and wearing personal clothing.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(12). Animals of the same or different species, which are not involved in the work being performed, shall not be permitted in the animal area.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(13). Needles and syringes shall be used only for parenteral injection and aspiration of fluids from laboratory animals and diaphragm bottles. Only needle-locking syringes or disposable syringe-needle units (i.e., needle is integral to the syringe) shall be used for the injection or aspiration of fluids containing organisms that contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Extreme caution shall be used when handling needles and syringes to avoid autoinoculation and the generation of aerosols during use and disposal. Following use, needles shall not be bent, sheared, replaced in the needle sheath or guard or removed from the syringe. The needles and syringes shall be promptly placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably by autoclaving, before discard or reuse.
Appendix M-II-C-1-g-(14). A biosafety manual shall be prepared or adopted. Personnel shall be advised of special hazards and required to read and follow instructions on practices and procedures.
Appendix M-II-C-2-a. Animals shall be contained within an enclosed structure (animal room or equivalent) to minimize the possibility of theft or unintentional release and avoid arthropod access. The special provision to avoid the entry or escape of arthropods from the animal areas may be waived if the agent in use is not known to be transmitted by arthropods.
Appendix M-II-C-2-b. The interior walls, floors, and ceilings shall be impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat, to facilitate cleaning. Penetrations in these structures and surfaces (e.g., plumbing and utilities) shall be sealed.
Appendix M-II-C-2-c. Windows in the animal facility shall be closed, sealed, and breakage resistant (e.g., double-pane tempered glass or equivalent). The need to maintain negative pressure should be considered when constructing or renovating the animal facility.
Appendix M-II-C-2-d. An autoclave, incinerator, or other effective means to decontaminate animals and waste shall be available, preferably within the containment area. If feasible, a double-door autoclave is preferred and should be positioned to allow removal of material from the containment area.
Appendix M-II-C-2-e. If arthropods are used in the experiment or the agent under study can be transmitted by an arthropod, the interior work area shall be appropriately screened (52 mesh). All perimeter joints and openings shall be sealed, and additional arthropod control mechanisms used to minimize arthropod entry and propagation, including appropriate screening, or the equivalent of access doors.
Appendix M-II-C-2-f. Access doors to the containment area shall be self-closing.
Appendix M-II-C-2-g. The animal area shall be separated from all other areas. Passage through two sets of doors shall be the basic requirement for entry into the animal area from access corridors or other contiguous areas. The animal containment area shall be physically separated from access corridors and other laboratories or areas by a double-door clothes change room, equipped with integral showers and airlock.
Appendix M-II-C-2-h. Liquid effluent from containment equipment, sinks, biological safety cabinets, animal rooms, primary barriers, floor drains, and sterilizers shall be decontaminated by heat treatment before being released into the sanitary system. The procedure used for heat decontamination of liquid wastes shall be monitored with a recording thermometer. The effectiveness of the heat decontamination process system shall be revalidated at minimum on a yearly basis with an indicator organism. More frequent validation, based on the amount of use or other safety factors, shall be left to the discretion of the IBC.
Appendix M-II-C-2-i. An exhaust air ventilation system shall be provided. This system shall create directional airflow that draws air into the animal room through the entry area. The building exhaust, or the exhaust from primary containment units, may be used for this purpose if the exhaust air is discharged to the outside and shall be dispersed away from occupied areas and air intakes. Personnel shall verify that the direction of the airflow (into the animal room) is proper.
Appendix M-II-C-2-j. If the agent is transmitted by aerosol, then the exhaust air shall pass through a high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filter.
Appendix M-II-C-2-k. Vacuum lines shall be protected with high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters and liquid disinfectant traps.
Appendix M-II-C-2-l. In lieu of open housing in the special animal room, animals held in a BL3-N area may be housed in partial-containment caging systems (e.g., Horsfall units or gnotobiotic systems, or other special containment primary barriers). Prudent judgment must be exercised to implement this ventilation system (e.g., animal species) and its discharge location.
Appendix M-II-C-2-m. Each animal area shall contain a foot, elbow, or automatically operated sink for hand washing. The sink shall be located near the exit door.
Appendix M-II-C-2-n. Restraining devices for animals may be required to avoid damage to the integrity of the animal containment facility.
Appendix M-II-D-1-a-(1). Individuals under 16 years of age shall not be permitted to enter the animal area.
Appendix M-II-D-1-a-(2). The containment area shall be locked.
Appendix M-II-D-1-a-(3). The containment area shall be patrolled or monitored at frequent intervals.
Appendix M-II-D-1-a-(4). The containment building shall be controlled and have a locking access.
Appendix M-II-D-1-a-(5). The Animal Facility Director shall establish policies and procedures whereby only persons who have been advised of the potential hazard and who meet any specific entry requirements (e.g., vaccination) may enter the laboratory or animal room.
Appendix M-II-D-1-a-(6). Individuals shall enter and exit the animal facility only through the clothing change and shower rooms.
Appendix M-II-D-1-a-(7). Personnel shall use the airlocks to enter or exit the laboratory only in an emergency.
Appendix M-II-D-1-a-(8). Animal room doors, gates, and other closures shall be kept closed when experiments are in progress.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(1). All contaminated liquid or solid wastes shall be decontaminated before disposal.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(2). The work surfaces and containment equipment shall be decontaminated when work with organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules is finished. Where feasible, plastic-backed paper toweling shall be used on nonporous work surfaces to facilitate clean-up.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(3). All wastes from animal rooms and laboratories shall be appropriately decontaminated before disposal in an approved manner.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(4). No materials, except for biological materials that are to remain in a viable or intact state, shall be removed from the maximum containment laboratory unless they have been autoclaved or decontaminated. Equipment or material that might be damaged by high temperatures or steam shall be decontaminated by gaseous or vapor methods in an airlock or chamber designed for this purpose.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(5). When ventilated suits are required, the animal personnel shower entrance/exit area shall be equipped with a chemical disinfectant shower to decontaminate the surface of the suit before exiting the area. A neutralization or water dilution device shall be integral with the chemical disinfectant discharge piping before entering the heat sterilization system. Entry to this area shall be through an airlock fitted with airtight doors.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(6). Needles and syringes shall be promptly placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably by autoclaving, before discard or reuse.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(7). Supplies and materials needed in the animal facility shall be brought in by way of the double-door autoclave, fumigation chamber, or airlock that shall be appropriately decontaminated between each use.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(8). An autoclave, incinerator, or other effective means to decontaminate animals and wastes shall be available, preferably within the containment area. If feasible, a double-door autoclave is preferred and should be positioned to allow removal of material from the containment area.
Appendix M-II-D-1-b-(9). Liquid effluent from containment equipment, sinks, biological safety cabinets, animal rooms, primary barriers, floor drains, and sterilizers shall be decontaminated by heat treatment before being released into the sanitary system. If required by design, regulation, local ordinance or policy, liquid wastes from shower rooms and toilets shall be decontaminated with chemical disinfectants or heat by methods demonstrated to be effective. The procedure used for heat decontamination of liquid wastes shall be monitored with a recording thermometer. The effectiveness of the heat decontamination process system shall be revalidated at minimum on a yearly basis with an indicator organism. More frequent validation, based on the amount of use or other safety factors, shall be left to the discretion of the IBC. If required by design, regulation, local ordinance or policy, liquid wastes from the shower shall be chemically decontaminated using an Environmental Protection Agency-approved germicide. The efficacy of the chemical treatment process shall be validated with an indicator organism. Chemical disinfectants shall be neutralized or diluted before release into general effluent waste systems.
Appendix M-II-D-1-c-(1). When the animal research requires special provisions for entry (e.g., vaccination), a warning sign incorporating the universal biosafety symbol shall be posted on all access doors to the animal work area. The sign shall indicate: (i) the agent, (ii) the animal species, (iii) the name and telephone number of the Animal Facility Director, or other responsible individual, and (iv) any special requirements for entering the laboratory.
Appendix M-II-D-1-d-(1). Individuals shall enter and exit the animal facility only through the clothing change and shower rooms. Street clothing shall be removed and kept in the outer clothing change room. Complete laboratory clothing (may be disposable), including undergarments, pants, shirts, jump suits, and shoes shall be provided for all personnel entering the animal facility. When exiting the BL4-N area and before proceeding into the shower area, personnel shall remove their laboratory clothing in the inner change room. All laboratory clothing shall be autoclaved before laundering. Personnel shall shower each time they exit the animal facility.
Appendix M-II-D-1-d-(2). A ventilated head-hood or a one-piece positive pressure suit, which is ventilated by a life-support system, shall be worn by all personnel entering rooms that contain experimental animals when appropriate. When ventilated suits are required, the animal personnel shower entrance/exit area shall be equipped with a chemical disinfectant shower to decontaminate the surface of the suit before exiting the area. A neutralization or water dilution device shall be integral with the chemical disinfectant discharge piping before entering the heat sterilization system. Entry to this area shall be through an airlock fitted with airtight doors.
Appendix M-II-D-1-d-(3). Appropriate respiratory protection shall be worn in rooms containing experimental animals.
Appendix M-II-D-1-e-(1). Documents regarding experimental animal use and disposal shall be maintained in a permanent record book.
Appendix M-II-D-1-e-(2). A system shall be established for: (i) reporting laboratory accidents and exposures that are a result of overt exposures to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, (ii) employee absenteeism, and (iii) medical surveillance of potential laboratory-associated illnesses. Permanent records shall be prepared and maintained. Any incident involving spills and accidents that results in environmental release or exposures of animals or laboratory workers to organisms containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be reported immediately to the Biological Safety Officer, Animal Facility Director, Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities (if applicable). Reports to the NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov). Medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment shall be provided as appropriate and written records maintained. If necessary, the area shall be appropriately decontaminated.
Appendix M-II-D-1-e-(3). When appropriate and giving consideration to the agents handled, baseline serum samples shall be collected and stored for animal care and other at-risk personnel. Additional serum specimens may be collected periodically depending on the agents handled or the function of the facility.
Appendix M-II-D-1-e-(4). A permanent record book indicating the date and time of each entry and exit shall be signed by all personnel.
Appendix M-II-D-1-f-(1). No materials, except for biological materials that are to remain in a viable or intact state, shall be removed from the maximum containment laboratory unless they have been autoclaved or decontaminated. Equipment or material that might be damaged by high temperatures or steam shall be decontaminated by gaseous or vapor methods in an airlock or chamber designed for this purpose.
Appendix M-II-D-1-f-(2). Biological materials removed from the animal maximum containment laboratory in a viable or intact state shall be transferred to a non-breakable sealed primary container and then enclosed in a non-breakable sealed secondary container that shall be removed from the animal facility through a disinfectant dunk tank, fumigation chamber, or an airlock designed for this purpose. Advance approval for transfer of material shall be obtained from the Animal Facility Director. Such packages containing viable agents can only be opened in another BL4-N animal facility if the agent is biologically inactivated or incapable of reproduction. Special safety testing, decontamination procedures, and Institutional Biosafety Committee approval shall be required to transfer agents or tissue/organ specimens from a BL4-N animal facility to one with a lower containment classification.
Appendix M-II-D-1-f-(3). Supplies and materials needed in the animal facility shall be brought in by way of the double-door autoclave, fumigation chamber, or airlock that shall be appropriately decontaminated between each use. After securing the outer doors, personnel within the animal facility retrieve the materials by opening the interior doors of the autoclave, fumigation chamber, or airlock. These doors shall be secured after materials are brought into the animal facility.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(1). All genetically engineered neonates shall be permanently marked within 72 hours after birth, if their size permits. If their size does not permit marking, their containers should be marked. In addition, transgenic animals should contain distinct and biochemically assayable DNA sequences that allow identification of transgenic animals from among non-transgenic animals.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(2). Eating, drinking, smoking, and applying cosmetics shall not be permitted in the work area.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(3). Individuals who handle materials and animals containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules shall be required to wash their hands before exiting the containment area.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(4). Experiments involving other organisms that require containment levels lower than BL4-N may be conducted in the same area concurrently with experiments requiring BL4-N containment provided that they are conducted in accordance with BL4-N practices.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(5). Animal holding areas shall be cleaned at least once a day and decontaminated immediately following any spill of viable materials.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(6). All procedures shall be performed carefully to minimize the creation of aerosols.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(7). A double barrier shall be provided to separate male and female animals. Animal isolation barriers shall be sturdy and accessible for cleaning. Reproductive incapacitation may be used.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(8). The containment area shall be in accordance with state and Federal laws and animal care requirements.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(9). The life support system for the ventilated suit or head hood is equipped with alarms and emergency back-up air tanks. The exhaust air from the suit area shall be filtered by two sets of high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters installed in series or incinerated. A duplicate filtration unit, exhaust fan, and an automatically starting emergency power source shall be provided. The air pressure within the suit shall be greater than that of any adjacent area. Emergency lighting and communication systems shall be provided. A double-door autoclave shall be provided for decontamination of waste materials to be removed from the suit area.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(10). Needles and syringes shall be used only for parenteral injection and aspiration of fluids from laboratory animals and diaphragm bottles. Only needle-locking syringes or disposable syringe-needle units (i.e., needle is integral to the syringe) shall be used for the injection or aspiration of fluids containing organisms that contain recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Extreme caution shall be used when handling needles and syringes to avoid autoinoculation and the generation of aerosols during use and disposal. Following use, needles shall not be bent, sheared, replaced in the needle sheath or guard, or removed from the syringe. The needles and syringes shall be promptly placed in a puncture-resistant container and decontaminated, preferably by autoclaving, before discard or reuse.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(11). An essential adjunct to the reporting-surveillance system is the availability of a facility for quarantine, isolation, and medical care of personnel with potential or known laboratory-associated illnesses.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(12). A biosafety manual shall be prepared or adopted. Personnel shall be advised of special hazards and required to read and follow instructions on practices and procedures.
Appendix M-II-D-1-g-(13). Vacuum lines shall be protected with high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters and liquid disinfectant traps.
Appendix M-II-D-2-a. Animals shall be contained within an enclosed structure (animal room or equivalent) to minimize the possibility of theft or unintentional release and avoid arthropod access.
Appendix M-II-D-2-b. The interior walls, floors, and ceilings shall be impervious to water and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents, and moderate heat, to facilitate cleaning. Penetrations in these structures and surfaces (e.g., plumbing and utilities) shall be sealed.
Appendix M-II-D-2-c. Windows in the animal facility shall be closed, sealed, and breakage resistant (e.g., double-pane tempered glass or equivalent).
Appendix M-II-D-2-d. An autoclave, incinerator, or other effective means to decontaminate animals and wastes shall be available, preferably within the containment area. If feasible, a double-door autoclave is preferred and should be positioned to allow removal of material from the containment area.
Appendix M-II-D-2-e. Access doors to the containment area shall be self-closing.
Appendix M-II-D-2-f. All perimeter joints and openings shall be sealed to form an arthropod-proof structure.
Appendix M-II-D-2-g. The BL4-N laboratory provides a double barrier to prevent the release of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule containing microorganisms into the environment. Design of the animal facility shall be such that if the barrier of the inner facility is breached, the outer barrier will prevent release into the environment. The animal area shall be separated from all other areas. Passage through two sets of doors shall be the basic requirement for entry into the animal area from access corridors or other contiguous areas. Physical separation of the animal containment area from access corridors or other laboratories or activities shall be provided by a double-door clothes change room equipped with integral showers and airlock.
Appendix M-II-D-2-h. A necropsy room shall be provided within the BL4-N containment area.
Appendix M-II-D-2-i. Liquid effluent from containment equipment, sinks, biological safety cabinets, animal rooms, primary barriers, floor drains, and sterilizers shall be decontaminated by heat treatment before being released into the sanitary system. If required by design, regulation, local ordinance or policy, liquid wastes from shower rooms and toilets shall be decontaminated with chemical disinfectants or heat by methods demonstrated to be effective. The procedure used for heat decontamination of liquid wastes shall be monitored with a recording thermometer. The effectiveness of the heat decontamination process system shall be revalidated at minimum on a yearly basis with an indicator organism. More frequent validation, based on the amount of use or other safety factors, shall be left to the discretion of the IBC. If required by design, regulation, local ordinance or policy, liquid wastes from the shower shall be chemically decontaminated using an Environmental Protection Agency-approved germicide. The efficacy of the chemical treatment process shall be validated with an indicator organism. Chemical disinfectants shall be neutralized or diluted before release into general effluent waste systems.
Appendix M-II-D-2-j. A ducted exhaust air ventilation system shall be provided that creates directional airflow that draws air into the laboratory through the entry area. The exhaust air, which is not recirculated to any other area of the building, shall be discharged to the outside and dispersed away from the occupied areas and air intakes. Personnel shall verify that the direction of the airflow (into the animal room) is proper.
Appendix M-II-D-2-k. Exhaust air from BL4-N containment area shall be double high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filtered or treated by passing through a certified HEPA filter and an air incinerator before release to the atmosphere. Double HEPA filters shall be required for the supply air system in a BL4-N containment area.
Appendix M-II-D-2-l. All high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filters' frames and housings shall be certified to have no detectable smoke [dioctyl phthalate] leaks when the exit face (direction of flow) of the filter is scanned above 0.01 percent when measured by a linear or logarithmic photometer. The instrument must demonstrate a threshold sensitivity of at least 1x10-3 micrograms per liter for 0.3 micrometer diameter dioctyl phthalate particles and a challenge concentration of 80-120 micrograms per liter. The air sampling rate should be at least 1 cfm (28.3 liters per minute).
Appendix M-II-D-2-m. If an air incinerator is used in lieu of the second high efficiency particulate air/HEPA filter, it shall be biologically challenged to prove all viable test agents are sterilized. The biological challenge must be minimally 1x108 organisms per cubic foot of airflow through the incinerator. It is universally accepted if bacterial spores are used to challenge and verify that the equipment is capable of killing spores, then assurance is provided that all other known agents are inactivated by the parameters established to operate the equipment. Test spores meeting this criterion are Bacillus subtilis var. niger or Bacillus stearothermophilus. The operating temperature of the incinerator shall be continuously monitored and recorded during use.
Appendix M-II-D-2-n. All equipment and floor drains shall be equipped with deep traps (minimally 5 inches). Floor drains shall be fitted with isolation plugs or fitted with automatic water fill devices.
Appendix M-II-D-2-o. Each animal area shall contain a foot, elbow, or automatically operated sink for hand washing. The sink shall be located near the exit door.
Appendix M-II-D-2-p. Restraining devices for animals may be required to avoid damage to the integrity of the containment animal facility.
Appendix M-II-D-2-q. The supply water distribution system shall be fitted with a back-flow preventer or break tank.
Appendix M-II-D-2-r. All utilities, liquid and gas services, shall be protected with devices that avoid back-flow.
Appendix M-II-D-2-s. Sewer and other atmospheric ventilation lines shall be equipped minimally with a single high efficiency particulate/HEPA filter. Condensate drains from these type housings shall be appropriately connected to a contaminated or sanitary drain system. The drain position in the housing dictates the appropriate system to be used.
Appendix M-III-A. If a recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule is derived from a Class 2 organism requiring BL2 containment, personnel shall be required to have specific training in handling pathogenic agents and directed by knowledgeable scientists.
Appendix M-III-B. Personnel who handle pathogenic and potentially lethal agents shall be required to have specific training and be supervised by knowledgeable scientists who are experienced in working with these agents. BL3-N containment also minimizes escape of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule-containing organisms from exhaust air or waste material from the containment area.
Appendix M-III-C. Risk Group 4 and restricted microorganisms (see Appendix B, Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard, and Sections V-G and V-L, Footnotes and References of Sections I through IV) pose a high level of individual risk for acquiring life-threatening diseases to personnel and/or animals. To import animal or plant pathogens, special approval must be obtained from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, National Center for Import-Export, Products Program, 4700 River Road, Unit 40, Riverdale, MD 20737. Phone: (301) 734-8499; Fax: (301) 734-8226.
Laboratory staff shall be required to have specific and thorough training in handling extremely hazardous infectious agents, primary and secondary containment, standard and special practices, and laboratory design characteristics. The laboratory staff shall be supervised by knowledgeable scientists who are trained and experienced in working with these agents and in the special containment facilities.
Within work areas of the animal facility, all activities shall be confined to the specially equipped animal rooms or support areas. The maximum animal containment area and support areas shall have special engineering and design features to prevent the dissemination of microorganisms into the environment via exhaust air or waste disposal.
Appendix M-III-D. Research with animals, which may not appropriately be conducted under conditions described in Appendix M, may be conducted safely by applying practices routinely used for controlled culture of these biota. In aquatic systems, for example, BL1 equivalent conditions could be met by utilizing growth tanks that provide adequate physical means to avoid the escape of the aquatic species, its gametes, and introduced exogenous genetic material. A mechanism shall be provided to ensure that neither the organisms nor their gametes can escape into the supply or discharge system of the rearing container (e.g., tank, aquarium, etc.) Acceptable barriers include appropriate filtration, irradiation, heat treatment, chemical treatment, etc. Moreover, the top of the rearing container shall be covered to avoid escape of the organism and its gametes. In the event of tank rupture, leakage, or overflow, the construction of the room containing these tanks should prevent the organisms and gametes from entering the building's drains before the organism and its gametes have been inactivated.
Other types of animals (e.g., nematodes, arthropods, and certain forms of smaller animals) may be accommodated by using the appropriate BL1 through BL4 or BL1-P through BL4-P containment practices and procedures as specified in Appendices G and L. Containment for arthropods is described in the Arthropod Containment Guidelines and Addendum 1 Containment Practices for Arthropods Modified with Engineered Transgenes Capable of Gene Drive (see Appendix G-III-B).