Institutional Biosafety Committee - University of Houston
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Environmental Health & Safety

EHS

Institutional Biosafety Committee

Purpose

The purpose of the University of Houston Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is to serve as a compliance oversight committee to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology Transfer, which includes: 

  1. Reviewing and approving proposed research involving biological agents, recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid molecules and other potentially hazardous work to ensure compliance with NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules  (April 2019), Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (5th Edition)  and the UH Biosafety Manual. 
  2. Providing guidance to the University of Houston System’s safety functions concerning the protection of all individuals working in research involving recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid molecules and other hazardous materials of biological origin.
  3. Collaborating with other UH System components, as authorized through formal agreement, by providing UH representation to facilitate protocol review and approval.
  4. Imposing necessary administrative actions on Principal Investigators to assure regulatory compliance with biological safety requirements, up to and including laboratory cease work and activities actions.

The IBC meets at least three times per year to review Biosafety Registrations . 

IBC Member Composition

Members of the University of Houston IBC include individuals representing a variety of scientific disciplines. This diverse group was selected to provide the appropriate oversight of the various types of rDNA research conducted at UH.

The committee is comprised of the following:

  • At least 4 Faculty Science researchers (expertise in recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid molecules technology, laboratory techniques, plant and animal containment principles)

  • 2-3 Non-Institutional members

  • University Office of General Counsel, ex officio

  • Biological Safety Officer, ex officio 

  • Division of Research representative, ex officio 

  • Safety Manager, Environmental Health and Safety, ex officio 

  • Veterinarian, Animal Care Operations, ex officio

Additional members may be appointed to serve as alternates for voting members.

IBC Biosafety Registration Submission

To begin the approval process, click here to begin the Biosafety Registration online form.