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IMPORTANT NOTE: Policies, actions, and definitions in this Executive Order supersede implementation of the DURC/PEPP Policy, which will be replaced or revised by September 2025. Research meeting the definition of “dangerous gain-of-function research” is paused. Updates will be made upon publication of the new policy. 

Harvard University
Committee on Microbiological Safety
Committee on Microbiological Safety
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  • Policies
  • DURC and PEPP
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    • Boston Biosafety Users Group (BBUG)
    • COMS Public Meeting
    • Harvard Yale Biosafety Symposium
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COMS Policies

COMS is responsible for reviewing all research projects at Harvard and its Affiliated Institutions involving specific materials, COMS-Regulated Materials (“CRM”), as defined in the Policy Introduction. For research that falls under the purview of the NIH Guidelines, COMS reviews all projects conducted at or sponsored by COMS. 

Policies guiding all COMS regulated projects: 

  • Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU)
  • COMS Introduction Policy
  • COMS Policy on Recommended Containment Levels for Adenoviral Vectors in Laboratory Rats, Laboratory Mice and Laboratory Rabbits
  • COMS Policy on Recommended Containment Levels for use of Retroviral Vectors in Laboratory Rats, Laboratory Mice and Laboratory Rabbits
  • Biosafety Level 2+ Policy
  • Clinical Trials Policy
  • COMS Incident Reporting Policy
  • COMS Inspection Policy
  • Lentiviral Vector Policy
  • Liquid Waste Policy
  • Minutes Policy
  • Minutes Redaction Policy
  • Protocol Review Policy
  • Sharps Policy
  • Solid Waste Policy
  • COMS Training Policy
  • Validation and Use of Attenuated Organisms Policy

Appendices

  1. Biosafety Level 1 Practices
  2. Biosafety Level 2 Practices
  3. Biosafety Level 2+ Practices
  4. Biosafety Level 2 Additional Stipulations 
Committee on Microbiological Safety
email COMS@hms.harvard.edu
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