Biosafety and Biosecurity

Requirements

Work with microorganisms, recombinant/synthetic nucleic acids, human and animal materials, insect and animal vectors, and other potentially biohazardous materials is necessary in many university research and teaching applications and requires special practices and procedures, and in some cases, special equipment to protect personnel and the environment.

Gloves with text

Texas Tech University is actively committed to preserving the health and safety of its students, staff, and faculty and to protecting the environment and surrounding community. The Department of Environmental Health & Safety provides guidance regarding the assessment, containment, and security of biological materials that complement the institutional operating policies which support compliance with the guidelines, recommendations, and regulations applicable to such work.

Biosafety News & Updates

NIH Biosafety Modernization Initiative - Draft Policy out for Public Comments

The NIH released the draft policy for the Biosafety Modernization Initiative on August 19, 2026. Public comments can be submitted through their online portal through October 19, 2026.

The draft policy and assocated documents are available on the NIH-OSP Modernizing and Strengthening Oversight of Biosafety webpage.

USG Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research Released

The Federal Government is issuing a new United States Government (USG) Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research pursuant to Section 4 of Executive Order 14292. NIH is working with the Administration and its Interagency partners to fully implement this new USG Policy, which includes an explicit prohibition on dangerous gain-of-function research. All research activities identified as potential dangerous gain-of-function research per NOT-OD-25-127 and NOT-OD-25-112 remain paused until NIH specific implementation requirements are established.

Recent changes to Biosafety Policy at TTU

Aug. 28, 2026 - The IBC has added the following lanaguage to the Biosafety Manual: Keeping and caring for insects, spiders, and their relatives requires proper containment and husbandry practices.

Due to a change in state regulations, those using human materials collected post-mortem must be certified with the Texas Funeral Service Commission. Please see the Human & Non-human Primate webpage for details regarding this process.