The USF GHIDR center BSL-3 / ABSL-3 Core is a Select Agent (SA) research facility that provides level 3 laboratory space rental and/or animal research facility room rental for BSL-3 pathogen research needs. Research Biosafety and SA training is required to become a certified user of the core. For information in becoming SA certified to perform work in this facility, please contact Debra Howeth dhoweth@usf.edu or RSCH Biosafety biosafety@research.usf.edu (RSCH Biosafety can also assist with submitting IBC research plans for project approval). This core can also provide assistance with experimental design and pre-submission preparation of IACUC for animal studies.

ABSL-3 Equipment Services:

ABSL-3 Room 1 (Animal Model, Cell Culture)

• Tecniplast IsoCage N - Biocontainment System IVC (Rodent Qty 36 cages)
• BioBubble Laboratory enclosure with cage shelving
• Heracell 150i C02 incubator
• NUAIRE Biosafety cabinet (6ft)
• 4°C Refrigerator and -20°C Freezer
• -80°C Freezer available (Locked Storage)
• Eppendorf 5810R tabletop Centrifuge (incl. Microcentrifuge rotor and Bucket rotor for 15ml & 50ml tubes)
• Pipette sets (P10, P20, P200, P1000) & Volumetric Pipette Controller
• PPE is included with these services (Gloves, Tyveks, Aprons, PAPRS, etc.)

ABSL-3 Room 2 (Animal Model, Cell Culture)

• 2 BioBubble Laboratory enclosures with cage shelving
• 2 Thermo C02 incubators
• Thermo Biosafety cabinet (6ft)
• 4°C Refrigerator and -20°C Freezer
• -80°C Freezer available (Locked Storage)
• Accuspin Micro 17 Microcentrifuge
• Thermo Bead Bath
• Pipette sets (P10, P20, P200, P1000) & Volumetric Pipette Controller
• PPE is included with these services (Gloves, Tyveks, Aprons, PAPRS, etc.)

BSL-3 Equipment Services:

BSL-3 Room 1 (Cell Culture)

• 4 Thermo C02 incubators
• 2 Thermo Biosafety cabinets (6ft)
• Inverted Microscope
• 4°C Refrigerator and -20°C Freezer
• -80°C Freezer (Locked Storage)
• Eppendorf 5810R tabletop Centrifuge (incl. Microcentrifuge rotor and Bucket rotor for 15ml & 50ml tubes)
• Thermo Water Bath
• Pipette sets (P10, P20, P200, P1000) Multichannel Pipette & Volumetric Pipette Controller
• PPE is included with these services (Gloves, Tyveks, Aprons, PAPRS, etc.)

BSL-3 Room 2 (Cell Culture)

• 2 Heracell 150i C02 incubator
• Thermo Biosafety cabinet (6ft)
• 4°C Refrigerator and -20°C Freezer
• -80°C Freezer (Locked Storage)
• Thermo Refrigerated Microcentrifuge
• Thermo Bead Bath
• Pipette sets (P10, P20, P200, P1000) Multichannel pipette & Volumetric Pipette Controller
• PPE is included with these services (Gloves, Tyveks, Aprons, PAPRS, etc.)

Users must review and sign the BSL-3 Core Policies and Procedures and the BSL-3 Core Service Agreement forms and return to bsl3core@usf.edu.

BSL-3 Core Policies and Procedures

General Policies

1. All USF faculty, staff and students who wish to use the BSL-3 Core must take the hands-on BSL-3 training. A BSL-3 staff member will be available during appointments with the Core to assist as necessary.
   1. If desired, labor for sample preparation may be provided by the BSL-3 Core for a fee.
   2. Requests for sample preparation by the BSL-3 Core can be made through the BSL-3 Core website.
2. Be punctual. If you are going to be late, contact the staff representative for the BSL-3 Core. We will make every effort to ensure you have the requested amount of time with the instrument suite, but we may need to reschedule the analysis when required by previously scheduled workloads.
3. Plan accordingly. Depending on the workload and if you need time beyond the initially scheduled appointment, you may be asked to schedule a later time to finish your experiment.
   1. Previously scheduled appointments will take first priority.
   2. All work with animals in the BSL-3 Core must be done between 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM Monday through Friday. A Core supervisor must be available in the IDRB at all times during a reservation. Use of the Core after hours for experimentation with animals is not permitted.
   3. Experimentation such as inoculation, necropsy, or other activities involving extensive use of the Biosafety cabinet is prohibited on weekends and University holidays.
4. Reservations must be made at least 72 hours in advance. This allows for adequate time for fee assessment and approvals.
5. Make sure that potentially biohazardous experiments are approved by the Institutional Safety Board.
6. The Policies and Procedures must be signed annually by each user of the BSL-3 Core.

Training

Independent usage of the BSL-3 Core requires one-on-one, hands-on training. This training provides comprehensive, in-depth training on the use of equipment, preparation of samples, execution of emergency and facility procedures and project specific protocols. The training emphasizes proper handling and movements to prevent the unintentional loss or release of infectious agents. The training should take approximately 7-10 days, depending on the project. The training is individualized and is not complete until either the Core manager or Director have observed the trainee perform the activity independently with no mistakes.BSL-3 / ABSL-3 Hands-on Training encompasses all aspects of working in a facility where level 3 agents are stored and researched. All individuals must have prior experience in a Biosafety level 2 laboratory prior to obtaining training for BSL-3 / ABSL-3. Hands-on training candidates must be listed on an active Biological Use Authorization (BUA) with USF Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and if applicable, an active approved Animal Use Protocol with USF Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). All individuals must complete the required EH&S training courses and enroll in the campus Occupational Health Program and receive medical clearance to work in a BSL-3 / ABSL-3 laboratory. BSL-3 / ABSL-3 laboratory specific training includes, but is not limited to: understanding of the BSL-3 / ABSL-3 biosafety manual, facility specific SOPs and policies, laboratory equipment training, agent inactivation/decontamination policies, entry and exit procedures, waste management, autoclave operation and maintenance, incident response and reporting requirements, removal of materials and equipment from BSL-3 / ABSL-3 facility, policies and procedures for shipping/receiving materials and inventory, agent-specific training, understanding signs and symptoms of agents housed in the facility, medical surveillance plan, animal handling procedures (if applicable), aerosol-transmissible disease standards, spills inside/outside BSC, general facility failures – HVAC and fire alarms, accidental exposure procedures, incident response plan, biosecurity, natural disasters, and demonstration of proficiencies for active research regarding agents housed under BSL-3 / ABSL-3 conditions. Laboratory researchers must complete this comprehensive, hands-on training to ensure awareness of the hazards and risks associated with the BSL-3 / ABSL-3 facility, and to be fully capable of working safely to protect themselves, the laboratory, the community, and the environment from potential contamination. With guidance and strict oversight, researchers will be trained to perform all necessary experimental and laboratory safety protocols. Following select agent certification and after successful practical demonstration of proficiency, final approval and access to the facility shall be granted by the BSL-3 Director and the BSL-3 laboratory manager. Once an individual has received clearance to perform work in the BSL-3 facility, the respective PI must approve the qualified research staff member prior to initiating work within the facility.

Sample Preparation

For researchers needing inactivated antigen, nucleic acid, neutralization assays, necropsy, etc. the BSL-3 Core may provide these services for a fee. Project information and researcher needs may be submitted for approval using the BSL-3 Core Project Assistance Submit Sheet.

Publications

Publications based on work conducted in the BSL-3 Core should acknowledge the facility as follows: This work has been supported in part by the BSL-3 Core.

BSL-3 Core Service Agreement

1. Users must read and sign the acknowledgement below on the Service Agreement and must sign the acknowledgement on the Policies and Procedures document provided by the BSL-3 Core before scheduling time in the Core.
   1. The Service Agreement must be completed by certified users once per fiscal year and the policies and procedures documents needs to be completed once by each certified user.
2. Users must complete the BSL-3 hands-on training before they can be authorized to sign this Service Agreement and become a certified user.
   1. The BSL-3 Manager will keep records of who has completed the hands-on training.
3. The BSL-3 Core rate sheet lists the cost per service, which includes necessary reagents and materials.
4. It is the user’s responsibility to follow protocol and maintain documentation of IRB, IACUC, etc.
5. BSL-3 Core staff will not perform labor for projects. All labor, sample preparation, etc. must be performed by the user.
6. The BSL-3 Core is not liable for experimental failure.
7. Up to two (2) hours of consultation time will be provided for each project requested to ensure that correct sample preparation and methodologies are performed. Consultation time exceeding two (2) hours will be invoiced.
8. To schedule time in the BSL-3 Core, certified users must submit a reservation request through iLAB. The certified user and the designated PI will receive a quote for the work, and the PI must sign the quote and provide a chartfield before work can begin in the Core.
   1. After work is completed, an invoice will be sent to the certified user and PI within 14 days.
9. All data generated through the BSL-3 Core will be stored on the Core server for 6 months pending storage availability. After this time, the data will be erased from the Core server. Users must transfer their data or back it up to a separate location by this time or they will forfeit the data generated.
10. User assumes accountability for neglect or misuse of BSL-3 Core instruments during their scheduled time of use. Users are liable for fees for gross decontamination and damage or destruction of equipment. If equipment appears to be malfunctioning, the user must contact the BSL-3 Core staff contact immediately.
11. Failure to comply with regulations, policies and procedures will result in suspension of access to the BSL-3 Core.

Charges are assessed through iLAB and users will receive invoices that will need to be paid through a Chartfield or credit card. Quotes will be sent for approval to the PI prior to performing work in the facility. Once the quote has been approved, the iLAB Scheduler administrator will approve the time slot and room requested, at which time the BSL3 approved user may access the facility for research on the requested dates.

BSL-3

The BSL-3 facility houses three (3) individual suites that contain equipment for BSL-3 experimentation including CO2 incubators, biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, etc. Consumables such as PPE, pipettes, pipette tips, microfuge and conical tubes, autoclave bags, indicators, bleach, VirkonS, paper towels, etc. will be provided. These suites will be made available to approved users at the rate of $135.00 per day. If users need to enter the facility to check on cells or collect specimens, such that the biosafety cabinet is not used or experimentation does not occur, a fee of $25.00 will be assessed for PPE usage.

ABSL-3

The ABSL-3 facility houses a suite that contains equipment for ABSL-3 experimentation including CO2 incubators, biosafety cabinets, an anesthesia machine, a techniplast unit, centrifuges, etc. as well as consumables such as PPE, food, bedding, pipettes, pipette tips, microfuge and conical tubes, autoclave bags, indicators, bleach, VirkonS, paper towels, etc. Cage washing is included in the daily fee. These suites will be made available to potential users at the rate of $200.00 per day.

BSL-3 Hands-On Training

The BSL-3 facility is bound by federal regulations that require specific training for preventing the loss, release, or theft of an infectious agent. Basic training is a hands-on training for each user that includes the proper use and decontamination of laboratory equipment, non-aerosolizing pipetting techniques, record keeping, waste disposal, emergency procedures, doffing, and donning of personal protective equipment etc. During the in-lab training, trainees will gain an in-depth understanding of how to apply the principles of biosafety to best laboratory practices and become comfortable with the safe execution of research in the facility. The training is required to access the facility and is available as a one-time fee of $1500.00 per user.

ABSL-3 Hands-On Training

The ABSL-3 facility is bound by federal regulations that require specific training for preventing the loss, release, or theft of an infectious agent. ABSL-3 training is a hands-on training for each user that includes the proper handling of animals in high containment, inoculation procedures, non-aerosolizing surgery and necropsy techniques, record keeping, emergency procedures, doffing, and donning of personal protective equipment, etc. The training is required to access the facility and is available as a one-time fee of $1500.00 per user.

Retraining

The facility is bound by federal regulations that require specific training for preventing the loss, release, or theft of an infectious agent. User inability to adhere to mandated protocols of the facility will result in user suspension until hands-on retraining is completed. The retraining is available as a 1-time fee of $1500.00 per user.

Gross Decontamination

The facility is bound by federal regulations that require specific training for preventing the loss, release, or theft of an infectious agent. Users responsible for contamination requiring a gross decontamination of the suite will result in a $10,000.00 charge for this service.

Animal Housing

The facility is designated as a satellite animal care facility and the housing of rodents and other small animals is permitted. Housing within the facility includes cages and space while feed and is offered at a rate of $45.00 per cage/unit per day.

Hands-On Project Specific Training

In order to assist current and potential users performing their experimentation in a compliant and safe manner, hands-on Project-Specific Training is offered at a rate of $75.00 per hour.

Protocol/Project Preparation

In order to assist current and potential users to obtain regulatory approvals (i.e., IACUC and IBC), Protocol development and consultation is offered at a rate of $150.00 per hour.

Freezer Storage

Federal regulations require that all BSL-3 agents and specimens be housed within the facility. Frozen storage (-20C and -80C) is available to all users at a rate of $30.00 per 5”x5” box per month.

Other services

Antigen preparation, nucleic acid preparation, necropsy, etc. can be provided. Please contact bsl3core@usf.edu to discuss.