Biohazard Use Authorization (BUA)

Principal Investigators (PIs) must: 1) complete and submit a Biohazard Use Authorization (BUA); 2) ensure that research staff members have undergone the appropriate training; and 3) undergo the annual biosafety inspection and possibly and DAR/Biosafety meeting before conducting research with potential biohazards.

Biohazards include:

  • Recombinant DNA (rDNA) and synthetic nucleic acids
  • Pathogenic microorganisms
  • Human and non-human primate materials, cell lines, blood, and other potentially infectious materials
  • Toxins of biological origin
  • Hazardous chemicals used in biomedical research (e.g., carcinogens, reproductive hazards, chemotherapy agents, and physiological modifiers)
  • Select Agents
  • Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC)
  • Unknowns

Sections

Safety Training

Before registering or renewing a BUA, all research staff must meet the following safety training requirements – see the Training Catalog for more information:

General Lab Safety (GLS)

The course covers hazardous materials, lab hazards, engineering and administrative controls, personal protective equipment, and hazardous waste management. Anyone working in USC laboratories must attend.

High school students must complete the course and provide a signed Parent Consent Form to their USC research advisors prior to working in USC laboratories.

This is a one-time requirement.

Annual Safety Refresher (ASR)

The Annual Safety Refresher must be provided to research staff by the Principal Investigator (PI) or designee and must include specific safety topics.

Participants are required to renew their training annually.

GLS Meet & Greet

The GLS Meet and Greet is a workshop that:

  • Introduces new USC researchers to EH&S Research Safety staff.
  • Promotes the exchange of safety information, anecdotes, or experiences between colleagues.
  • Connects researchers with EH&S staff to assist in addressing questions or concerns. 

GLS participants who complete the initial General Lab Safety Training (online or Zoom) must attend a Meet and Greet session.

This is a one-time requirement.

Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL-2)

All animal researchers who administer chemical or biohazardous substances to experimental animals are required to complete the ABSL 2 training.

Participants are required to renew their training every 3 years.

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)

Anyone working with or who has the potential to be exposed to human or non-human primate blood, blood products, cell lines, bodily fluids, or other potentially infectious materials must attend.

Participants are required to renew their training annually.

Bloodborne Pathogens Refresher

BBP Refresher may be completed:

  • In-house by the PI as part of the Annual Safety Refresher. Use the checklist as a guide. OR
  • Via the Bloodborne Pathogen and Aerosol Transmitted Disease Online Training as assigned by the PI.

Participants are required to renew their training annually.

Principles of Biosafety (BIO)

This course covers safe practices for handling and containment of biological materials including human blood, human pathogens, recombinant DNA, and biological toxins.

Participants are required to renew their training every 3 years.

Viral Vector Training (VVT)

Viral Vector (VVT) and BSL-2+ Training identifies safety concerns for research involving the use of viral vectors and advises on the appropriate safety precautions and best practices to implement inside a BSL-2+ laboratory.

Participants are required to renew their training every 3 years.

Shipment of Biological Materials and/or Dry Ice (BHS)

Learn steps for proper shipping of biosamples.

Participants are required to renew their training every two years.

 

Register a BUA

Research projects using biohazards, human gene therapy, and/or the generation of transgenic rodents must be registered with the USC Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) by completing the Biological Use Authorization (BUA) on iStar.  To request a new iStar account, go to the iStar home page.

A single IBC application may cover multiple grants and projects provided that all procedures using biohazards are included and described on the application. For instructions and a guide to the iStar registration and submission process, visit iStar. For additional questions about the process, please contact us. For help with technical issues, please contact the iStar Help Desk at 323-276-2238.

 

Renew a BUA

Renewals for existing approved paper BUAs must be completed using the iStar system. The BUA must be renewed every 3 years.

Amend a BUA

Amendments to existing approved BUAs must be completed using the iStar system. Amendments are required for the following:

  • Location changes
  • Personnel update
  • Addition of animals or new biohazards

Resources

iStar is a web application developed for use by the USC Institutional Review Board (IRB) to facilitate review of projects involving human subjects. Learn more ยป

iStar is also used by other research committees including the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC),the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).