THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH

TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

CHARGE OF THE INSTITUTIONAL BIOLOGICAL SAFETY COMMITTEE

Excerpted from the UCSF Biosafey Safety Manual. Approved 06/97

B. UCSF INSTITUTIONAL BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE (IBC)

The NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Section II b.2 requires the establishment of an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) at institutions who sponsor or conduct recombinant DNA research. By policy, UCSF has expanded the role of the IBC to include the review and approval of all work involving potential exposure to human pathogens, whether they are an integral part of the research or incidental to it (such as the possible presence of bloodborne pathogens in "normal" human tissues). At UCSF, the IBC is appointed by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Research and consists of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Members selected from the faculties represented at UCSF. The members are generally appointed for two year terms but frequently serve more than one term, and have been given jurisdiction over ALL biological materials and some toxins. Two community members, with no UCSF affiliation other than membership on the IBC, are required and appointed to represent the interest of the surrounding community with respect to health and the protection of the environment. The Ex Officio members include the Director of OEH&S, the Biosafety Officer (BSO), the Director of the Laboratory Animal Resource Facility and the Director of Employee Health Program, or their designated representative. The IBC as a whole represents collective expertise and research experience in recombinant DNA, infectious agents and biological safety in experiments which may pose potential risks to health or the environment.

The IBC is responsible for ensuring that research conducted at UCSF is in compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules, drafting campus biosafety policies and procedures, and reviewing individual research proposals for biosafety concerns. The IBC usually meets monthly to review proposals for all UCSF campuses and for faculty members who work off-campus. Veterans Administration-funded projects are specifically excluded from the IBC's charge. The IBC does not oversee biosafety policies for the hospitals, clinics or clinical laboratories on the various campuses. These are the responsibility of the respective Infection Control Committees.

Principal Investigators (PIs) who wish to perform research using biological materials submit an application for Biological Use Authorization to the IBC. The Committee normally reviews applications that involve work at Biosafety Level 2 or above and the BSO reviews Biosafety Level 1 research applications. Biosafety Level 1 applications are considered exempt from IBC review unless the BSO has specific concerns which warrant full Committee involvement. Committee review includes an independent assessment of the containment levels required by the NIH Guidelines for the proposed research, an assessment of the laboratory facilities, procedures, and practices, and of the training and expertise of personnel.

The IBC is authorized by the Chancellor to limit or suspend any research that is not in compliance with UCSF biosafety policies and procedures. The IBC advises and works with the OEH&S in administering the various aspects of the campus Biological Safety Program.