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IBC Overview
West Virginia University (WVU) conducts research involving recombinant DNA (rDNA) and receives funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for at least part of this research. The NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acids state that any institution conducting rDNA research which is covered by the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules must establish an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) which will be responsible for review of that research.
Institutional Biosafety Committee
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is multi-disciplinary committee required by the NIH Guidelines for all institutions conducting recombinant nucleic acid research. The IBC is charged with oversight and review of all research involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids, as well as other biohazards.
What types of research needs an IBC protocol?
· Recombinant DNA (rDNA): All research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules; including the creation of transgenic animals or plants and human gene transfer.
· Pathogens: Any pathogenic microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, parasites, rickettsia, viruses, prions, etc. Microorganisms that are typically non-pathogenic to immunocompetent hosts and viral vectors used solely for gene expression are exempt.
· Human samples and cell lines: Any human blood, body fluids, unfixed tissue, patient-derived tumor samples, medical devices, and all human and primate derived cell lines.
· Animal Research: Any introduction of rDNA, pathogens, toxins, or human derived material into animals.
· Biologically Active Agents: Any biological toxins, allergens, poisonous plants, or venoms.
· Wild Animals: Any field research with collection or sampling of wild species including rodents, birds, fish, insects, and amphibians. Specifically, for surveillance of agents infectious to humans and/or animals at BSL-2 or higher, trapping or handling of wild animals that transmit significant or life-threatening zoonotic diseases (e.g. rabies), or processing of diagnostic samples collected from these studies.
· Exotic Plants, Animals, or Microbes: Research including any organisms not indigenous to the area