Guidelines for research projects on Covid-19

Before starting to work with any type of coronavirus, you must read this first, then obtain approval from the University Biological Safety Committee.

Researchers wanting to work with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or related material should be aware of the University policy regarding higher-risk micro-organisms (HRMOs).

Before starting to work with any type of coronavirus, you must obtain prior approval from the University Biological Safety Committee (UABSC).

SARS-CoV-2 virus

Requirements:

  • PC3 laboratory
  • A virologist recommended as PI or collaborator

What to do:

  1. Contact the biosafety officer for a pre-assessment.
  2. If suitable, complete an HRMO application, which will undergo assessment by the UABSC

Clinical samples containing or potentially containing SARS-CoV-2

Requirements:

  • PC2 or PC3
  • A microbiologist or a medical laboratory scientist is recommended as PI

What to do:

  1. Contact the biosafety officer for a pre-assessment
  2. HSNO approval must be obtained if the sample is imported, and, in any case, HRMO approval is required before work can commence. Where there is an obvious clinical priority (i.e. clinical testing), the UABSC will 'fast-track' applications.

Non-infectious clinical samples from Covid-19 patients or virus-inactivated samples from Covid-19 patients

Requirements:

  • PC2
  • A microbiologist in the team is advised, but not necessary

What to do:

Email containment@auckland.ac.nz for a pre-assessment

Purified proteins or antigens related to SARS-CoV-2

Requirements:

  • PC1 or non-containment laboratory

What to do:

  1. If you are not working with the virus or clinical samples, HRMO approval is not required.
  2. Ensure that you have an appropriate HSNO approval if creating recombinant proteins.
  3. Contact the biosafety officer if unsure.

Contact

Hazards and Containment Manager and Biosafety Officer
Email: Dr Francesca Casu

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