Risk Assessment

The Biosafety and Chemical Safety teams conduct agent specific risk assessments by request.  These assessments provide an overview of the risks of working with a particular agent, risk mitigation strategies that are to be observed while working with these materials, and the emergency response expectations for potential exposures.

To request a biological or chemical agent specific risk assessment, please contact us at biosafety@miami.edu. or arh38@med.miami.edu, respectively depending on the nature of the agent.

Risk Assessments by Agent

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  • Diphtheria Toxin (DT)

    Brief Description:
    • Diphtheria toxin is a Risk Group-2 biological toxin. It is an exotoxin secreted mainly by Corynebacterium diphtheriae but also by Corynebacterium ulcerans and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the pathogenic bacterium that causes diphtheria. The toxin gene is encoded by a prophage called corynephage β.
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  • 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

    Brief Description:
    • 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a Risk Group-2 biological neurotoxin. MPTP is a lipid-soluble organic compound that readily penetrates the blood—brain barrier, entering brain cells. Because it is amphiphilic, it is captured into acidic organelles, mostly lysosomes, of astrocytes. It is of interest as a precursor to the neurotoxin MPP⁺, which causes permanent symptoms of Parkinson's disease by destroying dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain.
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