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Biological Research Registration

SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 related Research

You must let your Biosafety Officer know of ANY SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 related research you are planning to perform. Research involving recombinant parts of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV (also referred to as SARS-CoV-1), or MERS-CoV requires registration with the CAB/ESCRO (MIT Committee on Assessment of Biohazards & Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight). Samples containing SARS-CoV-2, such as cultures obtained from collaborators samples from COVID-19 patients or samples suspected to contain SARS-CoV-2, must be inactivated before arriving at MIT and need to be registered with the CAB/ESCRO even if already inactivated. The Committee will review the inactivation procedure and determine if the samples can be used at MIT. Please plan accordingly and email BSP@mit.edu for a proper risk assessment.

Best practices for biological research at the MIT is guided by the Committee on Assessment of Biohazards and Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (CAB/ESCRO), the Biosafety Program, and the National Institute of Health (NIH).

At MIT, all biological research falling under CAB/ESCRO purview must be registered.  Open the accordion below to see if your research requires registration.

NIH Guidelines

The NIH Guidelines are a set of best practices adopted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1976. They define how to conduct research with recombinant DNA (rDNA) or synthetic nucleic acids (SNA) in a safe and responsible manner. The NIH Guidelines were developed to protect both the researchers working with this material and the environment from being contaminated by recombinant material or organisms.

Any organization receiving funding from the NIH is expected to follow the requirements listed in the NIH Guidelines. Since MIT receives funding as an Institution, all researchers at MIT are expected and required to abide by the NIH Guidelines while conducting biological research, even if their individual grant or lab does not receive funding from the NIH. Failure to abide by the NIH Guidelines can result in suspension or termination of funding.

 View the NIH Guidelines

Best practices for biological research at the MIT is guided by the Committee on Assessment of Biohazards and Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight (CAB/ESCRO), the Biosafety Program, and the National Institute of Health (NIH).

At MIT, all biological research falling under CAB/ESCRO purview must be registered.  Open the accordion below to see if your research requires registration.

NIH Guidelines

The NIH Guidelines are a set of best practices adopted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1976. They define how to conduct research with recombinant DNA (rDNA) or synthetic nucleic acids (SNA) in a safe and responsible manner. The NIH Guidelines were developed to protect both the researchers working with this material and the environment from being contaminated by recombinant material or organisms.

Any organization receiving funding from the NIH is expected to follow the requirements listed in the NIH Guidelines. Since MIT receives funding as an Institution, all researchers at MIT are expected and required to abide by the NIH Guidelines while conducting biological research, even if their individual grant or lab does not receive funding from the NIH. Failure to abide by the NIH Guidelines can result in suspension or termination of funding.

 View the NIH Guidelines