Updated: April 2024

All research with SARS-CoV-2 is subject to Wayne State University Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) oversight. IBC review and approval are required prior to receipt of samples and the initiation of any activities involving SARS-CoV-2. Table 1 summarizes the Biosafety Level and laboratory practices required for activities involving SARS-CoV-2 samples at WSU.

Table 1. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) WSU Research Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines^*

*Adapted from Duke University: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Research Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines¹

Please note that all proposed research with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) requires review by the WSU IBC and will require approval of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the research. In addition, some research will also require approval by the IRB.

¹Specimens are defined as, but not limited to, blood, serum, plasma, tissues, feces, urine, sputum, mucosal swabs or washes/secretions collected from any species.

²Determination of high vs. low risk activities, and containment facility requirements will be determined during IBC review.

Technical Expertise/Personnel Requirements²

Only laboratory personnel with appropriate training and laboratory experience in working with human pathogens are permitted to work with materials containing potentially active SARS-CoV-2 or full-length genomic RNA from SARS-CoV-2. 

Inclusion of students (graduate and undergraduate) on IBC protocols that include materials containing potentially active SARS-CoV-2 or full-length genomic RNA from SARS-CoV-2 will be reviewed and assessed on a case-by-case basis by the IBC. Principal Investigators will be required to outline the training to be provided to undergraduates, including who is providing the training, a step wise demonstration of proficiency at low risk procedures prior to proceeding to procedures deemed to have higher risk, and subsequent documentation of all related training. The safety track record of Principal Investigators will be taken into consideration when determining the eligibility of students to work with SARS-CoV-2 materials.

The documentation of specialized training and laboratory experience in working with human pathogens is not required to be included in protocol submissions for research protocols involving work with individual SARS-CoV-2 genes (e.g., coat protein) as recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. With appropriate approval from the IBC, laboratory personnel may work with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules coding for individual SARS-CoV-2 genes.

Minors (anyone under the age of 18) will not be permitted to work on SARS-CoV-2 related wet-lab research. Please review the OEHS Minor’s in Research Facilities Program materials for additional information.

Individuals in high-risk groups such as those who are immunosuppressed or who have medical conditions that might contribute to negative outcomes if infected by SARS-CoV-2 are prohibited from working with the SARS-CoV-2.

Individuals working with SARS-CoV-2 virus must monitor their health and immediately report any potential illness, especially fever, cough, shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms to their PI/lab director and the IBC (IBC@wayne.edu). Individuals working with SARS-CoV-2 will be offered the COVID vaccine, or boosters, as necessary throughout the course of their related research.

Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) Facilities

WSU does not have any A/BSL-3 facilities, and any work that requires this level of containment will not be permitted at this time.

SARS-CoV-2 research in animal models requires ABSL3 facilities and is not permitted at WSU.

Experiments involving the introduction of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules into SARS-CoV-2 require BSL-3 containment and cannot be approved by the WSU IBC. Requests to decrease the containment level for any such experiments will need review by the NIH Office of Science Policy prior to review by the WSU IBC.

Nasal and pharyngeal samples have been shown to contain high titers of SARS-CoV-2 virus and the CDC recommends the use of BSL-3 practices within a BSL-2 facility (referred to as BSL-2 with enhancements). Low risk procedures involving such samples are permitted at WSU if performed by qualified personnel under conditions determined to mitigate infection risk and following review and written approval of the IBC. Protocols involving procedures that the IBC determines require BSL-3 facilities will not be approved.

Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) Facilities

The CDC's risk assessment has determined that certain research activities with SARS-CoV-2 material can be conducted in BSL-2 facilities (Table 1). Current available literature regarding viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in blood, plasma, and urine suggests that these patient samples have low titers and may safely be manipulated with strict BSL-2 containment procedures and practices by investigators experienced in handling human pathogens. 

Note that there is no guarantee of a sample having low or no viral titer so care still must be used in handling these samples.

SARS-CoV-2 is a positive strand RNA virus, work with extracted genetic material will require strict adherence to BSL-2 containment requirements.

IBC Protocol Submissions

WSU researchers must have approval from the WSU IBC prior to receiving and initiating any work with materials (including inactivated samples) containing SARS-CoV-2 virus or derived from COVID-19 patients.

Local IBCs have been directed by the NIH Office of Science Policy to consider SARS-CoV-2 to be a RG3 agent as a starting point in their risk assessments when reviewing research subject to the NIH Guidelines. Any research that involves the use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules coding for SARS-CoV-2 full genome, or individual genes of interest, must be approved by the IBC.

All IBC submissions for work involving SARS-CoV-2 must be submitted through the WSU e-Protocol platform³. 

Supplementary Information and References

IBC Review:

The IBC will review all work for consistency with the CDC Guidelines⁴ and the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) International⁵ guidance document, as well as the biosafety practices and policies described in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories⁶ (BMBL, 6th Edition) publication. The WSU IBC will consider these the minimum standard and can request more stringent containment requirements if deemed necessary for the research being proposed.

When considering applying for permission to work with SARS-CoV-2 related materials it is recommended that investigators read the original documents for:

• Updated guidance and recommendations from these organizations
• Additional details on the type of work that can be performed in specific laboratory settings, and
• Requirements specific to sample types and/or associated procedures.
• ABSA International has additional relevant laboratory/research resources available in their SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Toolbox⁷.

Receipt of Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Samples

Research utilizing inactivated SARS-CoV-2 samples requires BSL-2 containment practices and a completed Inactivated Biological Agents form⁸ must be included with their IBC e-Protocol submissions. The inactivation process document must be completed by the sample supplier and evaluated and approved by the WSU IBC prior to this material being shipped to WSU. 

Facility Inspections

All BSL-2 facilities listed in the IBC application, including those involving currently designated BSL-2 facilities, will be inspected for compliance with BSL-2 practices and procedures⁹ as a part of the review process. Specific activities listed in Table 1 require "BSL-2 with enhancements". This term refers to the implementation of BSL-3 practices in a BSL-2 facility. Any work that requires "BSL-2 with enhancements" will need to clearly state in the protocol submission what enhancements are being employed in the BSL-2 facility. All facilities must be completely set-up, with all required engineering controls, PPE, disinfectants (as described in the protocol) in place at the time of the inspection. As stated above, prior BSL-2 approval does not carry over to any new research activity involving SARS-CoV-2. All facilities must be inspected, and any deficiencies corrected, prior to an IBC protocol being approved.

Links and References

1. Duke University: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Research Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines: https://www.safety.duke.edu/sites/default/files/SARS-CoV-2-COVID19-Biosafety-Guidelines.pdf
2. Johns Hopkins University: IBC SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Laboratory Requirements Document: https://hub.jhu.edu/assets/uploads/sites/2/2020/03/SARS-CoV-2-Guidance-JHU-IBC-2020-03-26.pdf
3. e-Protocol Applications: https:/research.wayne.edu/oehs/bio-safety/new-applications
4. CDC Interim Guidance for Laboratories: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/php/lab/index.html
5. ABSA International Guidance Document: https://absa.org/topic/regs-standards-guidelines/
6. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL, 6th Edition), CDC/NIH: https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
7. ABSA International COVID-19 Toolbox: https://absa.org/covid19toolbox/
8. Inactivated Biological Agents Form: https://research.wayne.edu/oehs/bio-safety/rg3_4_inactivation_document_final.docx
9. WSU BSL-2 Inspection: https://research.wayne.edu/oehs/bio-safety/resources