Institutional Biosafety Committee Meeting

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and community members who oversee biological research at UWM involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acids. In addition to overseeing research involving recombinant DNA or synthetic nucleic acids, the IBC reviews the use of the following:

• Use of any biological agent of a risk group 2 or higher level
• Select agents and toxins
• Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC)
• Stem cell research
• Nanotechnology involving biological agents.
• Human cells/ tissues.
• Teaching activities that involve any of these materials.

It is required that the IBC maintains a membership of a minimum of five individuals, with expertise covering knowledge of recombinant DNA and synthetic nucleic acid molecules, a plant expert, an animal expert, the biological safety officer, the campus veterinarian, the campus physician, and at least two members that are from the community, not affiliated with UWM. A current record of membership is reported annually to the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) by the biological safety officer.

In addition to scrutiny of recombinant DNA proposals, the IBC and Biological Safety Program assist all faculty and staff in observing safe biological laboratory practices, and endeavor to assure that all biohazardous research is carried out in secure facilities in compliance with all appropriate regulations. The IBC assesses all research elements and determines whether an investigator has adequately addressed safety issues and/or complied with regulations. If necessary, it may require an investigator to take additional safety precautions.

The IBC convenes as necessary (once a month) to review rDNA research and investigations that involve biohazardous materials. To facilitate the review process, investigators should submit their biosafety protocol to the biological safety program with sufficient lead time, minimally one month before the meeting date, no less than two weeks before the scheduled meeting. Materials received less than two weeks before a scheduled IBC meeting will not be considered until the following meeting.

For more information about the IBC, a meeting schedule, and request for meeting minutes, please contact the Biological Safety Officer.