The University of Michigan (U-M) Biosafety Manual is a resource for information, guidelines, policies, and procedures that will encourage safe research and eliminate, or reduce, the potential for exposure to biohazards. The information presented also reflects the requirements and guidelines of federal and state regulations.
The U-M Biosafety Manual is applicable to all laboratory, research, teaching, and support activities that may involve biohazards. Biohazards are microorganisms, microbial toxins, or other biological agents that can infect or cause disease in humans, animals, or plants. Biohazards may include bacteria, biological toxins, viruses, fungi, rickettsia, prions, protozoans, parasites, genetically modified organisms, and recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. In addition, biohazards include human blood, body fluid, tissues, and cell lines of human origin and certain animal-derived tissues, fluids, and cells.
