Peer Review

CDC LabTraining Virtual Reality Series: Biosafety Cabinet Edition (being updated)

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jan 25, 2026 by Health Sciences

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The virtual simulation enables learners to apply their knowledge and practice setting up a biosafety cabinet (BSC) in a virtual laboratory. Step into a virtual laboratory and learn how to work safely in the first-ever Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) virtual reality (VR) laboratory training course. This course is developed for laboratory professionals and supplements the existing CDC eLearning course on the same topic.” to: “This course is developed for laboratory professionals and supplements the existing CDC eLearning course “Fundamentals of Working Safely in a Biological Safety Cabinet.

Type of Material:

Simulation

Recommended Uses:

For homework, individual use, in class, or self-paced with medical laboratory or biology students

Technical Requirements:

Internet access
Web browser
A compatible VR headset and controllers are required. OneLab VR was developed for the Meta Quest 2 (and above) headset, however, any OpenXR-compatible headset should be supported. Equipment needed can be found on this website.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

After active engagement with the material, the learner will

Identify the major parts of a Class II BSC
Demonstrate how to maintain positive airflow within a BSC
Demonstrate how to prepare for work in a BSC
Apply safe-work practices in BSC Demonstrate how to decontaminate and shut down a BSC
Conduct emergency shutdown procedures

Target Student Population:

College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional (Higher education level)
Students and professionals in public health, clinical laboratory science, microbiology, biotechnology, and related life sciences fields.
Laboratory trainers, educators, and faculty who can use the platform as a teaching tool.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic knowledge of medical laboratory skills is necessary.
Basic proficiency in operating a Meta Quest VR headset (e.g., putting it on, using the controllers for navigation and interaction).
Ability to install an application from the Meta Quest AppLab store.
Beneficial: For specific scenarios (e.g., Packing and Shipping Dangerous Goods), prior knowledge of relevant federal regulations (e.g., IATA/DOT) may be beneficial.
For the Biosafety Cabinet scenario, completion of the prerequisite eLearning course "Fundamentals of Working Safely in a Biological Safety Cabinet" is required for P.A.C.E.® credit.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Safe, simulated practice for learners before real-world application.
The ability to practice dangerous or resource-intensive procedures without real-world consequences is a transformative feature for laboratory training.
The content is complete and aligned with the learning outcomes.
The virtual learning simulation platform is evidence-based.
The content is developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a globally recognized leader in public health.
The content is supported by pilot-testing data directly cited on the site (e.g., 95% of users found it easy to use and said it made learning easier). This research support significantly enhances the platform's educational value.

Concerns:

Having the hardware for the VR simulation is expensive and may not be practical for individual students to use as homework. Schools may have the hardware available for use in class or lab settings.
While the visual and procedural fidelity is high, VR cannot fully replicate the tactile sensations of handling lab equipment (e.g., the resistance of a pipette plunger, the weight of a centrifuge rotor). This is an inherent limitation of the medium that educators should be aware of and inform users about.
The quality of the learning experience depends on the user's technical ability to set up the headset and software, as well as the platform's stability. Technical glitches could disrupt training sessions.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The goals and methods are aligned.
The virtual simulation method engages learners and promotes learning.
VR is uniquely powerful for promoting conceptual understanding of spatial relationships, multi-step procedures, and cause-and-effect in a laboratory setting. For example, understanding why unbalanced centrifugation is dangerous is made visceral and immediate, moving beyond rote memorization.
The virtual simulation can transition learners into increased comfort and confidence in a safe setting before real-world application.
The integrated multiplayer functionality moves the platform beyond a simple self-paced tool to an interactive, instructor-led virtual classroom, dramatically expanding its effective use cases.

Concerns:

Material effectiveness is closely tied to having VR simulation hardware. For instructors, this requires resources, space, and planning.
For a complete novice, the dual task of learning both basic laboratory concepts and navigating a VR interface simultaneously could be overwhelming without adequate introductory guidance and support.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The item has consistent navigation.
The video has closed-captioning.
A diverse visual representation of humans is present.
User-friendly interfaces.
Customizable audio and visual controls.
The site provides direct, actionable instructions for installation ("Please install 'OneLab VR' via the Meta Quest AppLab"), complete with a QR code to facilitate the process on a mobile device.

Concerns:

Access to VR hardware is required and could limit use.
The primary usability concern is not the website itself but the reliance on the Meta Quest ecosystem. Ease of use depends entirely on the user's ability to set up a VR headset, create accounts, and navigate the AppLab store, which can be a significant barrier for less tech-savvy individuals.
The VR information stated: Most VR systems require a headset and controllers to function, which can pose accessibility challenges for users.
Information about glasses for the VR headset stated that the glasses size may be too large to work with the headset, but that most glasses would work.

Other Issues and Comments:

The website does not explicitly state a privacy policy for the VR application itself. Given that the platform involves multiplayer interactions with voice and avatar presence, users must know what data is collected (e.g., voice chat logs, performance metrics) and how it is stored and used. It is assumed the CDC has robust policies, but they should be easily accessible from the VR platform and website.
The material is appropriately rated for professional and educational use. The content focuses on laboratory safety and procedures and does not raise any concerns about inappropriate material.

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