Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for overseeing research and teaching activities that involve biological materials to ensure they are conducted safely, responsibly, and in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines.

The IBC reviews research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, infectious agents, human or animal-derived materials, biological toxins, and other potentially hazardous biological substances. The committee evaluates proposed projects to ensure appropriate containment measures, laboratory practices, training, and risk mitigation strategies are in place to protect researchers, the campus community, public health, and the environment.

Responsibilities of the IBC

The IBC operates in accordance with applicable regulatory frameworks and meets regularly to review new submissions, amendments, and ongoing research activities. The main responsibilities of the committee include:

1. Review and approval of research protocols involving biohazardous materials
2. Assessment of risk levels and recommendation of appropriate biosafety containment practices
3. Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines
4. Promotion of safe laboratory practices through oversight and policy development
5. Serving as an advisory resource to investigators and university leadership on biosafety matters