Biosafety
Oversight
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is the cornerstone of institutional oversight of recombinant and/or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research. The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) provides local institutional review and oversight of research utilizing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. The IBC also reviews studies that include research involving biohazardous material. Because gene transfer research includes recombinant DNA, investigators must submit gene transfer research to the Institutional Biosafety Committee for review.
Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC)
SBU's oversight of DURC is aimed at preserving the benefits of life sciences research while minimizing the risk of misuse of the knowledge, information, products, or technologies provided by such research. Information and requirements for conducting DURC can be found here.
Campus Policy
Institutional Policy on Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (rsNAM)
IBC Meetings
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) meetings are open to the public. This committee reviews and provides oversight for research that uses recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. The IBC meetings are currently being held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in attending, please contact Erin Augello at erin.augello@stonybrook.edu or 631-632-1724.
Biosafety Submission Guidelines
All personnel listed on IBC protocols must undergo training.
They must review and understand the following two required educational documents
Meeting Minutes
|
Name |
Department |
Representative Capacity |
|---|---|---|
|
Hwan Kim, Chair |
Microbiology and Immunology |
Scientist |
|
Kimberly Bowe |
Biochemistry, Molecular biology and Biotechnology |
Non-Affiliated Member |
|
Rachel Brownlee |
Division of Laboratory Animal Resources |
Veterinarian/ Animal |
|
Nicholas Carpino |
Microbiology and Immunology |
Scientist |
|
Jeronimo Cello |
Microbiology and Immunology |
Scientist |
|
Jorge Escobar |
Environmental Health and Safety |
Scientist |
|
Alyssa Tuthill |
Laboratory Representative |
Laboratory Representative |
|
Christopher Kuhlow |
Environmental Health and Safety |
Scientist |
|
Natalie Osorio |
Laboratory Technician (Chemistry) |
Student Representative Non-Scientist |
|
Dafang Faith Wang |
Plant Biology |
Plant Representative Non-Affiliated Member |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
|
What is the role of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)? |
The IBC is responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance as well as review and approval of all research projects that involve biological material including rDNA materials and human gene therapy/gene transfer protocols. . |
|
What are Biosafety Levels (BSLs)? |
According to the Center for Disease Control, there are four biosafety levels. Each level has specific controls for containment of microbes and biological agents. The primary risks that determine levels of containment are infectivity, severity of disease, transmissibility, and the nature of the work conducted. Origin of the microbe, or the agent in question, and the route of exposure are also important. Each biosafety level has its own specific containment controls that are required for the following:
|
|
What are risk groups? |
Risk groups are classify biological agents based on risk to humans. Biological agents are classified in a graded fashion. Risk groups range from RG1 - the lowest risk to RG4 - the highest risk.
A protocol needs to be submitted if you will be conducting research, teaching, or testing for which you need to obtain or use live animals (all warm and cold-blooded vertebrates). If you are only doing in vitro work you do not need to submit a protocol. |
|
Does the IBC work with other compliance committees? |
If there is a need for review by multiple compliance committees (e.g., IRB, SCRO and IACUC), the IBC will work with the other committees to ensure those approvals are in place. IBC approval does not supersede or waive the requirement for independent review by other research compliance committees. |
|
Do I need to complete an annual review? |
Annually, Principal Investigators will receive a reminder email for their approved IBC Registration(s), requiring them to complete an annual review. This activity helps the PI remain compliant and aids in determining if major changes have been made to the registration that have not yet been approved. |