BSL3 Core Facilities

"BSL3" stands for Biosafety Level 3, one of four classifications for biomedical research designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The levels, 1 through 4, signify the increasing level of risk microbial pathogens can present to humans or animals. Biosafety Level 1 presents low or no risk of infection in humans/animals while people infected by pathogens assigned to Biosafety Level 4 suffer a high mortality rate. The BSL3 designation applies to specific facility designs, safety equipment, and work practices that must be strictly followed. The facility uses engineering controls, primarily directional air flow and air pressure differentials, to contain hazardous agents within the work space. The lab is designed to prevent exposure of research personnel and release of hazardous agents into the environment.

Research in BSL3 labs typically involves Risk Group 3 agents (e.g. Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Francisella tularensis). These agents cause severe human/animal disease and present an occupational health hazard. These agents also present a risk of spreading to the community, but there is usually effective treatment or prophylaxis available. The agents are primarily transmitted by the airborne route and have a very low infectious dose (i.e. ID₅₀=10 organisms).

Research may include:

• Microbial Pathogenesis
• Development of animal disease models
• Aerosol challenge studies
• Microbial genomics/proteomics
• Vector production

The BSL3 Core Facility operations are managed by the Center for Microbial Interface Biology (CMIB). Costs of operations are shared by users through a fee structure that is supported by several colleges (Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Biological Sciences and the Office of Research). A BSL3 advisory committee and a BSL3 user group have been created to oversee and facilitate research in the facilities. The day to day operations of the BSL3 facilities at The Ohio State University are overseen by Anthony Wang, BSL3 Operations Manager.

Who can use the BSL3 labs?

The BSL3 core facilities are available to the OSU research community, OSU collaborating researchers, and non-OSU researchers. A guidance document describing the procedures for conducting research in the BSL3 core facilities is available here.

Contact Information

BSL3 Operations Manager
Anthony Wang, Ph.D. 
1009A Biomedical Research Tower
460 W. 12th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Telephone: (614) 247-8739
Fax: (614) 292-9616
e-mail: wang.1024@osu.edu

BSL3 Director
Larry Schlesinger, M.D.
Director of CMIB and the Division of Infectious Diseases
The Ohio State University
Telephone: (614) 293-5671 (Sharon Koscik)
Lab tel: (614) 292-8684 (Heather Link)
Fax:  (614) 292-9616
e-mail: larry.schlesinger@osumc.edu

BSL3 Deputy Director
Joanne Turner, Ph.D.
1010 Biomedical Research Tower
460 W. 12th Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Telephone: (614) 292-6724
Fax (614) 292-9616
e-mail: joanne.turner@osumc.edu

Click here to visit OSU's Department of Environmental Health and Safety