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Institutional Biosafety Committee

Mission Statement:

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) of the University of Connecticut (UConn) is committed to promoting the advancement of research and teaching activities, by ensuring that all experiments involving biological materials are conducted in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines. As required by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines), all institutions that conduct research with recombinant/synthetic nucleic acids (rsNA) and receive NIH funding, must maintain an active IBC. With the cooperative effort of Principal Investigators (PIs), the IBC conducts risk assessments for hazards associated with the use of biological materials, and promotes the safe use of such materials by enhancing lab personnel’s understanding of biosafety practices and procedures, as defined in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Overview:

Pursuant to Section IV-B-2 of the NIH Guidelines, the IBC was originally established to review and approve “Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines”, as defined under Section III. Compliance with the NIH Guidelines is a requirement for institutions that accept NIH funding and conduct covered experiments. As such, compliance with the Guidelines is a term and condition of funding for all labs at UConn working with rsNA, regardless of funding source.

Due to increased regulations and rapid advancements in life sciences research, the scope of the IBC has evolved over time. IBC approval is required for all biological materials including but not limited to:

  • recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (rsNA),
  • bacteria, their phages and plasmids,
  • viruses and viral vectors,
  • biological toxins,
  • fungi, prions and parasites,
  • human and animal cells, blood, tissues, body fluids, etc.,
  • transgenic and wild type animals, plants, and
  • animal remains and insects that may harbor zoonotic pathogens.

The IBC collaborates with Biosafety to ensure compliance with other federal and state regulations, such as Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), etc.

Committee Membership:

 

The IBC is actively recruiting new committee members!

If you are interested in joining an exciting committee that oversees biological research at UConn, email ibc@uconn.edu or the IBC Program Director at danielle.delage@uconn.edu.

The IBC must comprise no fewer than five members. At least two members shall not be affiliated with the institution (apart from membership on the IBC). Unaffiliated members represent the interest of the surrounding community with respect to health and protection of the environment.

UConn’s IBC consists of faculty, staff, and unaffiliated community members. All committee members contribute to the professional competency necessary to review the broad scope of research and teaching activities at the University.

 

Last Revised: 03/03/2025