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Definitions (Section 4)

Administrative Panel on Biosafety (APB). The Stanford University committee that reviews all university research and teaching activities involving the use of biohazardous agents and recombinant DNA molecules that require approval

Biohazardous materials. Hazardous biological materials and organisms, including

1. Infectious organisms (bacteria, fungi, parasites, prions, rickettsias, viruses, etc.) which can cause disease in healthy humans and/or significant environmental or agricultural impact
2. Human or primate tissues, fluids, cells, or cell culture
3. Recombinant DNA (rDNA)
4. Animals known to be vectors of zoonotic diseases

Biological safety cabinet. Ventilated cabinet intended to protect the user and environment from the hazards of handling infected material and other dangerous biological material but excluding radioactive, toxic and corrosive substances. Any air discharged to the atmosphere shall be filtered. Some types may also protect the material being handled in them from environmental contamination.

Biosafety level. Specific combinations of work practices and techniques, safety equipment, and facilities that are designed to minimize the exposure of workers and the environment to Biohazards. Biosafety levels are based on the potential hazards imposed by the materials used and for the laboratory function and activity. Biosafety level 1 provides the least stringent containment conditions and biosafety level 4 the most stringent.  (BMBL Section III – Laboratory Biosafety Level Criteria)

Blood-borne pathogens. Pathogenic microorganisms that can infect human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health and Human Services agency heading disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education efforts

Containment. Safe methods for managing infectious agents in the laboratory environment where they are being handled or maintained. The purpose of containment is to reduce or eliminate exposure of laboratory workers, other persons and the environment to potentially hazardous agents.

Etiologic agents. Substances known to contain, or reasonably expected to contain, pathogens. Pathogens are microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, parasites, fungi) or recombinant microorganisms (hybrid or mutant) that are known or reasonably expected to cause disease in humans or animals.

Institutional biosafety committee (IBC). Committee set up by a research institution to review recombinant DNA research and ensure its legal use under the NIH "Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules" to review recombinant DNA research and ensure its legal use. IBCs may also review other biohazardous research, including select agents. At Stanford and SLAC, this role is filled by the Stanford University Administrative Panel on Biosafety.

National Institutes of Health. Federal government agency that conducts and supports biomedical and behavioral research to create fundamental knowledge of living systems and reduce the burden of illness and disability

Near miss. Where no barrier or only one barrier prevented an event from having an [ORPS] reportable consequence

Recombinant DNA (rDNA). Recombinant DNA molecules are either: 1) molecules that are constructed in vitro outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to in vivo-competent DNA molecules 2) DNA molecules that result from the replication of those described in 1).

Select agent. Biological agent or toxin listed in 42 CFR Part 73, 7 CFR Part 331 and 9 CFR Part 121, or the HHS and USDA Select Agents and Toxins List [pdf]. Select agents are not permitted at SLAC.

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