AIDS Institute

BSRB 1ST Floor Biosafety Suite Policies

The AIDS Institute first-floor BSRB suite is a BSL-2+ containment facility with card-key–restricted access. 8-10 PIs are currently housed within the suite. While the open floor plan promotes collaboration, it also presents challenges for maintaining shared spaces and equipment. In addition, given the suite’s high public visibility as an “AIDS Institute” space and its location on the first floor of a readily accessible building, the safety and security of all occupants and visitors are of paramount importance.

Individuals requiring access to the first floor of the BSRB must review and adhere to all applicable policies below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in the revocation of your access privileges. Access is subject to approval. Outside Faculty Member (must be sponsored by a BSRB faculty member with authorized access), as they will be responsible for reviewing the request and approving access.

Common Areas - Responsibilities will be assigned for common areas. All PIs will be required to oversee some of these for the benefit of the other suite occupants. 

Shared Equipment - Shared equipment will be defined as being used by 3 or more PIs and will be placed in the designated common areas. All other equipment should be maintained within the PI’s assigned space.

  • Sign-up sheets- Each user must use the sign-up sheets for tracking usage and allocating costs.
  • Equipment Corridor- The equipment corridor is reserved for large equipment needs of PIs with lab space. Proposals for changes to allocation of the equipment should be directed to AI staff.

Biosafety cabinets - Due to the sensitive nature of cell cultures and the different potentially biohazardous agents used for each biosafety cabinet, requiring specific IBC approvals,  all biosafety cabinets will be assigned to individual PIs. However, since there is a high demand for tissue culture use, efforts should be made to assist other BSRB PIs who have tissue culture needs, with the caveat that IBC approval must be obtained before work begins. 

  • All individuals using culture hoods MUST have IBC approval. 

Dish washroom and Autoclave room (160A, 164) - Each lab will be responsible for disposal of their own waste in the autoclave. Autoclaved trash must be removed from the dish washroom on the same day of autoclaving. The dishwasher and autoclave are first come first serve. All users need to log in whenever using it. If there are any issues, contact Hongying Chen.

PCR Room - Each PI will be responsible for identifying and training one assigned person from their lab to utilize the PCR rooms, 161C and 188A, using the PCR policies already in place.  Following training, the PCR manager, Hongying Chen will certify individuals in order for them to work independently in 161C and 188A. The list of certified personnel is posted on the door of each room.

  • PCR machines. The PCR manager, Hongying Chen ([email protected]) is responsible for all the shared PCR equipment including maintenance, sign-up sheets, and repairs. 

Common Lunchroom and sitting area (BSRB 182) - Each laboratory will be responsible for supervision on a rotating basis. Since we are on the first floor of an easily accessed building, the lunchroom must remain closed and locked after 6PM and weekends/holidays. See Administrative Coordinator Rina Lee-Cha for detailed policies and access. 

Publications- The following organizations must be acknowledged in ALL publications where any work was conducted in BSRB:  UCLA AIDS Institute, James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust, and McCarthy Family Foundation.

Participation in UCLA AIDS Institute events and activities:

  • Attendance at the Biweekly Virology Seminar Series -Occupants of BSRB space are asked to participate regularly in the Biweekly Virology Seminar Series, held on Tuesdays at 9am in BSRB 154. This includes presentations by PI and/or members of the PI’s laboratory. Trainees in BSRB are required to attend all meetings.
  • Attend the HIV Grand Rounds lecture series (usually the 3rd Tuesday of every month from September to June).
  • Participation when called upon to serve on future Grant Review Committees and other program activities.
  • The above will be evaluated in eligibility for AI and UCLA-CDU CFAR funding of seed grants, etc. 
     

BSRB access via Bruincard/University ID (UID)

  • ONLY AIDS Institute staff/faculty with a validated keycard can enter the suite. Visitors MUST have an appointment and cannot enter barrier doors until escorted by the host lab. Visitors MUST remain escorted by the host lab throughout their stay.
  • If a PI would like to provide access to another member of your staff or new personnel, please fill out the BSRB 1st Floor Suite Access Form. Mrs. Lee-Cha will maintain records of who has access to the suite. Additionally, when a personnel/staff member leaves their position, the faculty member will need to inform the AI Administrative Coordinator as soon as possible so that the person can be removed from the access list.
  • The suite is a high security biocontainment area. The safety of occupants and visitors is of paramount importance.
  • The faculty PI is responsible for ensuring that their personnel have all necessary training and Certifications, including BSL2+ training, to work in the suite and that their personnel adhere to rules and policies within the BSRB suite.
  • Card key access can be revoked at any time for failure to abide by the policies of the suite. 
     

Dress Code Policies- BSL2+ level personal protective gear must be worn at all times when working in the lab. The legs and tops of feet should be completely covered. This also applies to visitors. 

Privacy/Confidentiality/Safety - We have had a few instances of thefts and unwanted visitors. In addition, some research may attract the attention of potentially violent radical activists. Access doors should never be propped open. Report any individuals trying to access the suite without an escort to Campus Police at x51491. Draw down the window blinds in the labs to prevent unwanted scrutiny and video/photography. 

Dispute resolution - Disputes will be presented and resolved by the BSRB Space Committee and AI Director, Dr. Otto Yang.

Reporting of violations - Violations of the above policies should be directed to and handled first by the PIs and lab managers. Repeated violations or major safety/injury issues should be reported to AIDS Institute Administrative Coordinator Rina Lee-Cha ([email protected]). Reporting will be handled confidentially. Failure to correct violations will lead to loss of access to the suite. 

Exceptions - All exceptions to the policies listed above will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests should be submitted in writing to the Director.