pathogenic agent, pathogen

Pathogenic agents are disease-causing or potentially disease-causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, viroids, prions, rickettsia, fungi, or parasites. When using pathogenic agents, student researchers and their Adult Sponsors are required to follow standard microbiological practices, as defined in Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. Organisms collected, isolated, and/or cultured from any environment during student research projects, should be considered potentially pathogenic. Raw or partially-processed human or animal waste is considered to contain potentially-pathogenic agents (Agricultural use of animal waste as fertilizer is exempt). E. coli strain K12 and baker's and brewer's yeasts are not considered to be pathogens. Purchased cultures certified by the supplier as being non=pathogenic must be identified with full name, source and catalog number in Research Plan (1A).