Purpose and Function
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) purpose is to review and evaluate investigator-generated safety protocols for the proposed use of biohazardous agents. Based on this review, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) shall approve or disapprove the safety protocols with periodic reports to the Safety Coordinating Committee. In addition, the Biosafety Committee shall make recommendations to the Safety Coordinating Committee regarding biohazards that may exist or arise on the UAMS campus.
Organization and Responsibility
The IBC shall be composed primarily of research personnel with appropriate expertise in infectious agents, toxicology, recombinant DNA, animals, and/or human gene therapy. In accordance with NIH/CDC guidelines, membership of the IBC should also include the Biosafety Officer(s) and two members who represent the interests of the community at large. The committee members and its chairman shall be appointed by the Chancellor. The committee chairman, or his/her designee, shall be empowered to sign for the committee to approve biohazard safety protocols on appropriate institutional forms. The committee shall meet at least quarterly or as called.
Biohazardous Agents Shall Include:
Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator (Laboratory Supervisor) include:
Membership
Membership consists of two community members, a non-doctoral member, the Biosafety Officer, and other members with expertise in biosafety, animal science, virology, bacteriology, pathology, and (human) gene therapy. Membership and qualifications are in compliance with Sections IV-B-2-a and IV-B-2-b of the NIH Guidelines. Ad hoc members may be called upon for specific expertise. The membership term is 3 years and membership may be renewed. The UAMS Chancellor may limit or extend the terms as needed.
Nominations to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) are solicited by the committee. Appointment to the committee is made through the Chancellor's Office. The IBC Chair is appointed by the Chancellor.
Contacts
Forms, Manuals, and Policies
Online IBC Protocol: Beginning January 2022, the IBC Protocol submission uses Muse to create a Safety Submission containing the IBC Protocol information. See the training links below:
* Additional information can be found on the OH&S Biological Safety Division web page.
Regulations/Guidelines
Submission and Meeting Schedule
Biosafety Quick Links
Biosafety Quick Links