Office of Biological Safety

Environment, Health and Safety Department, 30 East Campus Mall, Madison, WI 53715-1227
Phone: (608) 263-2037, Fax: (608) 265-8700, biosafety@fpm.wisc.edu

The UW Institutional Biosafety Committee

Tentative Meeting Schedule - 2009-2010

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), a faculty committee, reviews rDNA research and investigations that involve biohazardous materials. Roles and Responsibilities of the Office of Biological Safety and the Institutional Biosafety Committee.

An investigator performing research involving potentially biohazardous material is asked to register the proposed research with the IBC by completing and submitting a Biological Materials and Recombinant DNA Protocol. Projects involving the transfer of recombinant DNA to human subjects should be submitted using the Recombinant DNA Transfer to Human Subjects Protocol.

The OBS screens these research protocols to identify those requiring further review by the IBC. Research that involves pathogenic agents and/or rDNA experiments subject to the NIH Guidelines is reviewed by the IBC. For rDNA studies, the required information includes the source and nature of the DNA and host/vector system(s), and any other relevant details of the experimental protocol.

Investigators contemplating projects involving rDNA are responsible for performing risk assessments of their research and determining the appropriate containment levels, as prescribed by the NIH and the CDC. The OBS and IBC assess whether an investigator has adequately addressed safety issues and/or complied with regulations. If necessary, an investigator may be required to take additional safety precautions. Once approved by the IBC, the OBS issues a clearance for the proposed research to the investigator and to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

The IBC is tentatively scheduled to meet the first Wednesday of each month, but typically does not meet in January, June, July or August. To be included on the agenda for an IBC meeting, a protocol must be received by OBS two weeks prior to the committee meeting date to allow time for administrative processing.

Members Coming soon!