Scope of Responsibility
UMBC’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) was established and approved by the NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules to provide local review and oversight. The IBC is responsible for ensuring that the use of recombinant DNA in research and teaching labs as well as research and teaching involving infectious agents, select agents, and biological toxins research done at or sponsored by UMBC, regardless of funding, is conducted in compliance with the NIH Guidelines and the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories 6th edition (BMBL) with proper concern for the safety of research and teaching personnel, the environment, and the surrounding communities.
IBC Review Responsibilities?
- Review of recombinant and synthetic DNA in research and teaching labs as well as research and teaching with transgenic animals and biohazardous materials (such as bacterium, fungi, algae, potential infectious agents and select agents) conducted at, or sponsored by, the UMBC for compliance with the NIH Guidelines, and the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories 6th edition (BMBL). ALL research and teaching activities related to the above is subject to IBC oversight; the source of the funding does not alter this requirement.
- Independent assessment of the containment levels required by the NIH Guidelines
- Assessment of the facilities, procedures, practices, and training and expertise of the personnel involved in recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid/infectious agent research
- Ensure that all relevant aspects of the NIH Guidelines have been appropriately addressed by the Principal Investigator and Lab Instructor.
- Ensure that no research participant is enrolled in a human gene transfer experiment until the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) review process has been completed, Institutional Review Board approval has been obtained, and all applicable regulatory authorizations have been obtained
- Ensure compliance with all surveillance, data reporting, and adverse event reporting requirements set forth in the NIH Guidelines and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines
- Adopt plans covering accidental spills and personnel contamination resulting from recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid/infectious agent research or teaching.
- Report any significant problems, or any significant research-related accidents or illnesses to the appropriate Institutional Official and NIH/OBA within 30 days.
Investigator and Lab Instructor Responsibilities
The Office of Biotechnology Activities (OBA) at the National Institutes of Health has a brochure that explains investigator responsibilities when using recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules in research. All investigators with active IBC registrations are expected to review the information. The IBC recommends that it be posted in your laboratory.
The IBC also informs investigators about their specific responsibilities as well.
Briefly, the protocol review process entails:
- Use of KUALI for completion and submission of all IBC Research application or an IBC Teaching Lab application. The Office of Research Protections and Compliance (ORPC) and Environmental Safety and Health (ESH) staff are available to answer any questions regarding the IBC submission process and IBC review of research studies. The application is submitted electronically through KUALI.
- Taking the appropriate training
- Review of a submitted protocol for consideration and review at a scheduled meeting
- Review of research renewal and amendments to research are completed in KUALI.
For more information
UMBC IBC Frequently Asked Questions
IBC Charter
IBC Members
IBC Meeting Schedule
IBC Meeting Minutes – Meeting minutes are available to the public for review and access is available upon request (per NIH Guidelines). Please contact the Office of Research Protections and Compliance at ibc@umbc.edu.
Research compliance feedback and reporting research concerns