Biological Safety

The Biological Safety Office ensures the safe use of infectious biological agents, recombinant DNA/RNA, and the propagation and release of recombinant organisms

Research that involves any of the following activities or materials requires a Biological Use Authorization (BUA) and we can help.

  • Research involving recombinant DNA technology, except projects exempt under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules.
  • Work with materials that are infectious (or potentially infectious) to plants, animals, or humans (including replication-defective viral vectors).
  • Work with material that falls under the Cal OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
  • Work with non-human primate (NHP) cells, established NHP cell lines, and NHP blood or blood products.
  • Storage of unused biohazardous materials.
No work with biological agents or recombinant DNA is permitted on the UC Davis campus before approval is granted by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Biological Use Authorizations can take approximately eight weeks to approve, from the date of submission.