Biosafety

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) was established under the provisions of the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines). The role of the IBC is to establish and implement policies that provide for the safe conduct of recombinant DNA research and to ensure compliance with the NIH Guidelines. In addition, the IBC oversees research involving infectious agents and toxic biological molecules. The IBC also reviews research protocols from grant applications submitted to extramural funding agencies to confirm that experiments will be conducted safely and in compliance with the NIH Guidelines. Members of the IBC are appointed by the Senior Vice President for Research and Biotechnology and include persons who are not otherwise affiliated with the University to represent the interests of the surrounding community with respect to health and protection of the environment.

Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring IBC review of the following:

• Animal experiments requiring IBC approval with any of the above (prior to IACUC approval)
• Biological Toxins (Select Agent toxins below the permissible toxin amount)
• Human and Non-human Primate (NHP): blood, body fluids, tissues and primary or established cell lines
• Pathogens/Microorganisms: Risk Group 1 or higher
• Recombinant or Synthetic DNA work as defined by the NIH Guidelines

Most importantly, the IBC’s objective is to ensure that such activities meet standards of good biological safety practices, emphasizing protection of personnel, the public, and the environment.

All communication should be directed to the IBC office at: ibc@westernu.edu

• • Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
  • Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Report Form
  • Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination Form
  • Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) program

• Reporting Template for Incidents Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules