IBC Roles and Responsibilities

The Institutional Biosafety Committee 

A. The IBC reviews and oversees all recombinant DNA, infectious agents and toxin research at Texas A&M University.

The IBC reports directly to the Texas A&M Provost through the Texas A&M Vice President for Research, and has certain additional reporting responsibilities to NIH. Current members are listed in Appendix A.

B. Appointment of IBC Members and Chair

1. IBC members and chair are appointed annually, in accordance with NIH Guidelines, by the Texas A&M Vice President for Research. Members are generally appointed to serve a three-year term.
2. Members will be qualified, by expertise and experience, to review recombinant DNA research proposals and shall serve from approximately September 1 through August 31.
3. Membership and representation on the IBC will be in accordance with NIH Guidelines. At least two Members-at-Large will be appointed to represent the community.
4. An IBC member will be disqualified from review or approval of a proposal or activity in which he/she has been or expects to be engaged, except to provide information requested by the IBC.

C. Specific Responsibilities

1. Provides interface between the Institution, the Biological Safety Officer (BSO), and principal investigators (PIs) concerning lab review, security, safety, emergency plans, and other activities;
2. Maintains a registry of research projects and/or proposals involving the use of recombinant DNA at Texas A&M.
3. Provides oversight, review and assessment of:

a. adherence to NIH requirements for recombinant DNA research;

b. training and expertise of personnel;

c. lab safety, security, and biological containment requirements and practices;

d. emergency contingency plans, including containment and cleanup of spills and exposure of personnel to biohazardous materials.

4. Investigates reports of problems of safety or non-compliance. Alerts the Texas A&M Vice President for Research (or other administration officials as appropriate) and the PI to any noncompliance or other problems, and monitors corrective action. (NOTE: The IBC reviews and monitors research involving recombinant DNA and may assist PIs in voluntary compliance. However, the IBC assumes no responsibility for gaining compliance or for fulfilling research requirements.)
5. Coordinates and assists the BSO with safety and containment monitoring programs.
6. Meets as necessary and maintains a permanent record of IBC meetings and activities.
7. Periodically reviews the status of current recombinant DNA research at Texas A&M.
8. Provides guidance to PIs and reviews reports or proposals prepared for submission to the NIH Office for Recombinant DNA Activities (ORDA) and the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC).
9. Informs unit heads of recombinant DNA activities and proposals within their unit.
10. Other responsibilities as specified by the NIH Guidelines.

D. Reporting and Communications  

1. The IBC Chair helps inform and involve unit heads in the review and compliance of recombinant DNA research activities in their unit. Proposals, projects or other documents will reflect unit head awareness and concurrence prior to IBC review.
2. The IBC provides an Annual Report (September) on the status of recombinant DNA research, reviews, and compliance to the Texas A&M Vice President for Research. The Annual Report should include a summary of proposals reviewed during the year; status of regulatory compliance, safety and biological containment; emergency procedures; new issues and other items as appropriate.
3. Interim reports regarding significant deficiencies, noncompliance, or other emergency issues may be prepared and forwarded to the Texas A&M Vice President for Research, and others, as necessary.
4. The Texas A&M Vice President for Research should be provided advance written notification of any proposed IBC communication with federal agencies or committees, other than proposal review assessments and approvals.

The Biological Safety Officer (BSO)

The Biological Safety Officer is the designated administrative officer who assists in assuring compliance and biosafety of recombinant DNA research conducted at Texas A&M University.

A. Appointment

The BSO is designated by the Texas A&M Vice President for Research to provide services and assistance as required by federal guidelines and regulations and Institutional requirements.

B. Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. Serves as an ex-officio member of the IBC to provide a focal point for compliance with recombinant DNA biological safety (lab, human, and environmental aspects), biological containment, lab practices, and monitoring requirements in accordance with NIH Guidelines, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories and institutional requirements.
2. Conducts or supervises annual inspection and review of recombinant DNA laboratories or facilities, and authorize qualified labs to conduct recombinant DNA research following CDC/NIH Biological Safety Guidelines and institutional requirements.
3. Assists in certification of biological safety cabinets and BL-3 laboratories. Conduct or supervise safety inspection and testing of containment facilities. Maintain documents and results of certification.
4. Provides technical advice to investigators and the IBC on safety procedures and lab containment. Assists investigators in defining and interpreting safety and regulatory requirements; identifies procedures to be followed; assists PIs, staff and unit heads in maintaining awareness of responsibilities and regulatory developments; identifies safety problems, seeks voluntary compliance, and reports significant problems (such as containment, safety, lab techniques, and facilities) to the IBC, the PI, and others, as appropriate.
5. Assists investigators in developing emergency plans for containment and cleanup accidental spills or releases; assists in emergencies; investigates and reviews recombinant DNA lab accidents. Maintains documents and reports associated with the investigations and actions.

C. Reporting and Communications

1. Informs unit heads, PIs, and others of biosafety requirements and assists with maintaining compliance with Institutional and governmental guidelines and regulations.
2. Assists the IBC chair with preparation of an annual report summarizing activities and findings during the past year. Interim reports or notifications may be forwarded any time that significant deficiencies, noncompliance or other emergency issues develop.
3. Informs the IBC Chair and others, as appropriate, of instances of safety problems or noncompliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.