Institutional Biosafety Commmittee (IBC)

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is a standing committee and is responsible for reviewing all University research and teaching activities conducted by faculty, staff, students and/or visiting scientists on University property that involve the use of biological or biohazardous agents. Biological or biohazardous agents are defined as microorganisms, Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules experiments as defined by NIH Guidelines, materials derived from human and non-human primates, or biological toxins. The Radford University IBC's purpose is to ensure the health and safety of all personnel working with biohazardous agents.

The IBC functions to ensure that instructional and research activities conducted at Radford University are in compliance with our federally mandated responsibilities and obligations, as outlined by current government requirements described in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) select agent guidelines and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) select agent regulations, both associated with the National Select Agent Registry; and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations. Additional Select Agent guidance may be found at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website. The Radford University IBC consists of faculty, staff, and community representatives who have responsibility for reviewing all teaching and research activities involving:

• Infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, prions, protozoans, fungi, etc.)
• Biologically derived toxins
• Human and/or non-human primate blood, body fluids, cells or tissue culture
• Recombinant and/or Synthetic nucleic acid molecules
  
• Genetic engineering and/or modification in any organism
  
• Transgenic animals, invertebrates, and/or plants
• Gene transfer
• Select agents

Experiments involving these activities cannot be started without prior protocol review and approval by the IBC. The IBC reviews individual research protocols for biosafety concerns. The IBC oversees and reviews research protocols involved in both teaching and research, regardless of the funding source(s). In areas of overlap, it coordinates with the IACUC when animals are used, and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) when human subjects are involved.

Investigators whose work involves any of these categories are required to file an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Registration with the committee prior to the initiation of any new project.  Approval of registrations allow the work outlined within to be conducted for up to three years, barring major changes to the scope of the experiments.