Institutional Biosafety Committee
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is a University-wide committee, which has been established to ensure the safe conduct of research involving the use of biologically hazardous agents, such as recombinant DNA (rDNA) molecules, human pathogens, oncogenic viruses, other infectious agents, and select agents and toxins at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. The committee sets containment levels in accordance with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The responsibilities of the IBC are as follows:
- Evaluate research projects that use recombinant DNA, agents that are infectious to humans, animals and plants, other potentially infectious materials, select agents and biological toxins, human materials including blood, cells, unfixed human tissues and other body fluids, xenotransplant and gene transfer studies;
- Implement NIH and CDC guidelines and other applicable regulations for research involving rDNA and above listed agents;
- Ensure research involving rDNA and above listed agents does not endanger the safety of researchers, workers, research subjects, community, and environment;
- Disseminate information on technical and policy matters concerning rDNA and above listed agents used in research;
- Review potential risk to environment and public health; and
- Develop policies and procedures for proper disposal of rDNA and biohazardous waste.