Work

A Comprehensive Biosafety-Driven Workflow for Saliva-Based SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics at a Large University Research Laboratory

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for rapid, reliable, and safe laboratory workflows that ensure both diagnostic accuracy and biosafety for laboratory personnel. We developed a comprehensive approach for SARS-CoV-2 detection using saliva-based RT-qPCR that spans the entire process from sample transfer to final disposal. This workflow integrates biosafety principles with efficient diagnostic procedures, ensuring safe handling, minimized exposure risks, and reliable molecular testing. Critical components included biosecurity, standardized protocols for sample receipt, secure transfer, safe processing, and environmentally responsible disposal. By applying a holistic safety framework, we not only protected laboratory staff during the pandemic but also established a model that can inform preparedness for future emerging infectious disease threats. This approach demonstrates how laboratory safety and diagnostic efficiency can be simultaneously achieved, offering a reference for institutions seeking to balance biosafety and public health needs in outbreak situations.

Source: Safety

DOI: 10.3390/safety12010020

Authors: Sankar Prasad Chaki, Melissa M. Kahl-McDonagh, Kurt A. Zuelke

Institution: Texas A&M University

Language: English

Topic: SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172