CU-IBC
Institutional Biosafety Committee
formerly the Recombinant DNA Committee
Frank Cantone, Interim IBC Chair
Cornell University Biological Safety Officer
Maria Golonski, Executive Secretary
What does the IBC do?
Review all University research and teaching activities
involving the use of REGULATED biological agents, toxins,
and recombinant DNA molecules.
Ensure that personnel and facilities are in compliance with all
external regulations and applicable University policies.
Recommend policies to guide principal investigators and
EH&S in carrying out the University's Biosafety Program, i.e.,
acquisition, use, training, transfer, storage, disposal, and
emergency response procedures for all biohazardous
materials emphasizing the protection of personnel, the
general public, and the environment.
Safety - Containment - Training
Who is the IBC?
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NIH Guidelines for Membership
Standing Committee of the Faculty Senate
Vice Provost for Research –> SPS & EH&S
Is now affiliated with ORIA (Office of Research
Integrity & Assurance) – Compliance Office
• CU Faculty and Staff with various expertise from
different fields
• At least two members shall not be affiliated with the
university
IBC Members
Maria Golonski – Executive Secretary
Jean Bonasera – Plant Pathology
Frank Cantone (Interim Chair)– EH&S
Alice Churchill – Plant Pathology
Walter DeJong – Plant Genetics
Charlie Fay – VP Res. Admin.
Ed Dubovi – Vet. Diagnostic Lab.
Charles Walcott – Assoc. Dean Faculty
Hazel Fromm – Community Member Steve Hughes - Gannett Clinic
Susheng Gan – Horticulture
Bob Richardson - Vice Provost Res.
Paul Jennette – Biosafety Engineer
Pat McDonough – Pop Med & Diag
Christy Michaels – Community Member
Keith Perry – Plant Pathology
Mark Roberson – Biomedical Science
Jean Siracusa – Community Member
Chris Smart – Plant Pathology Geneva
Martin Wiedmann – Food Science
All research projects involving regulated
biohazardous materials must be registered
with the CU-IBC via a MUA (Memorandum of
Understanding and Agreement)
 Recombinant DNA – NIH
CU regulates all rDNA projects, incl. NIH-exempt projects
 Infectious Pathogens – CDC, USDA, NIH,
ABSA Human, Animal, Plant
 Biological Toxins - CDC
Step 1:
SPS Receives Form 10
• If rDNA, GMO or Biological Agent,
boxes are checked - it triggers an SPS
(IBC) response.
• PI receives an email indicating that an
MUA is required prior to the release of
funds. Some agencies require approval
when grant is submitted.
Step 2
Determine need for a MUA
New or Revised
PI will be informed of status of MUA and will be
directed to submit a new protocol or an
ammendment
Information, Instructions, and Forms are on the
website
http://www.ibc.research.cornell.edu
This should be consulted prior to submitting a
Form 10 and any MUA forms.
Step 3:
PI Completes Forms
• Proper forms must be completed in
full
• Electronic submission is here!!
• Questions regarding the forms can
be directed to Maria Golonski
(mg352) at 255-7219 or Frank
Cantone (fac2) at 254-4888
Step 4:
Committee Review
• Committee Chair and Biological Safety
Officer review all MUAs
• Exempt projects are approved by the chair
• Non-exempt projects are assigned to a 3
person subcommittee for review
• Subcommittee reports on review and
recommends project for approval
• Provisional approval may be granted at
that time
• Funding cannot be released prior to this
Step 5:
IBC Meetings
• The IBC meets the third Thursday of even
months
• All meetings are open to the public –
announced in the Ithaca Journal and
Cornell Daily Sun
• At the meetings, all non-exempt proposals
with completed subcommittee reviews are
discussed and voted upon
MUA Lifetime
• All MUAs are good for 3 years from
the date it was approved,
HOWEVER…..
• Each year an annual questionnaire
is required.
• A full review by the IBC is required
every third year on all proposals
Compliance Issues
Reminders to submit the Annual Updates is emailed to PI at:
2 months prior to due date –
1 month prior to due date 2 week prior to due date
1 week prior to due date - Every 7 days thereafter
cc Dept Chair
If annual update is not submitted the project is out of
compliance. This will generate a notice to the PI, Dept. Chair,
Dean and VP, and will initiate The Dreaded Sanctions.
Freezing Dept, College, University accounts
Restricting Research Activities
Closing the Laboratory
REMEMBER
All Research involving rDNA and
biohazardous materials,
sponsored or not,
is subject to all the compliance
issues just discussed.
Compliance is the responsibility
of the PI, but the Dept.
Chair/Head has an obligation to
ensure all PIs are aware of the
rules.