The use of recombinant DNA (rDNA) and synthetic nucleic acids (sNA) are regulated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH); the guidelines can be found in the publication NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) (https://osp.od.nih.gov/policies/biosafety-and-biosecurity-policy#tab2/). These guidelines are the official guide to all rDNA and sNA work done at Stanford. It is important to realize that following these guidelines is the responsibility of all investigators at Stanford University and not solely that of investigators that are funded by NIH.