The Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory ensures safe working conditions for researchers studying highly infectious agents such as HIV and TB.
The 281 sq. ft. laboratory has a work bench area with stainless steel
surfaces and a separate adjacent changing room. Equipment includes
a 6-ft. biological safety cabinet (Nuaire, Class II, type A/B3 laminar
flow hood), a double-chambered CO2 incubator (VWR), a Beckman GS-6R
table-top centrifuge equipped with containment buckets, an Abbott
Quantum II spectrophotometer, an Abbott Qwik Washer, an inverted Leitz-Wetzlar
microscope, a standard light microscope, two water baths, a refrigerator-freezer,
a microcentrifuge and a Hirayama autoclave. The laboratory is under
negative pressure with exhaust air HEPA filtered.
Authorized researchers working in this facility are required to wear
disposable gowns, caps, face masks and shoe covers, two pairs of latex
gloves and eye protection. All contaminated materials are placed in
biohazard bags and autoclaved on site prior to removal. Laboratory
procedures are conducted according to BSL-3 safety standards as outlined
in the manual Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, Health
and Human Services publication No. (CDC) 93-8395.
Contact:
Ira Schwartz, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of Microbiology and Immunology
New York Medical College
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Basic Sciences Building
Valhalla, NY 10595
Tel: 914/594-4175
Fax: 914/594-4176
E-Mail: ira_schwartz@nymc.edu