INSTITUTIONAL BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE (IBC)
Charter
Revised 9/21/2015
Purpose
The IBC is responsible for review of all research involving the use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic
acid molecules, including the use of transgenic animals and plants. The IBC ensures all recombinant
or synthetic nucleic acid molecules research conducted at or sponsored by the institution is conducted
in accordance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid
Molecules (NIH Guidelines) regardless of funding source.
General responsibilities include review of research projects for compliance with the NIH Guidelinesin
a number of areas such as (physical and/or biological) containment levels, facilities, procedures,
practices, training and expertise of personnel involved in recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid
molecules research and institutional procedures and practices related to use of recombinant or synthetic
nucleic acid materials.
Investigator Responsibilities
Investigators are required to secure IBC approval prior to experimentation using recombinant or
synthetic nucleic acid materials and ordering or transport of genetically altered cells or materials that
fall in the category of requiring IBC approval (consult the guidelines if unsure). Investigators must also
submit applications for the use or creation of all transgenic animals or plants.
Members (See IBC Membership for further details)
In accordance with the NIH Guidelines, the Institutional Official will ensure that the IBC members
have adequate expertise to review and approve research projects involving use of recombinant or
synthetic nucleic acid materials. IBC members shall be appointed by the Institutional Official.
The IBC shall consist of at least five members:
 At least one scientist member;
 At least one non-scientist member (i.e., Non-Scientific Member);
 At least two members who are not otherwise affiliated with COH and who are not part of the
immediate family of a person who is affiliated with COH (i.e., Non-Affiliated Community
Members);
 Biosafety Officer with the requisite educational background and experience.
Alternate Members
Discipline-matched alternate members shall be appointed as necessary. Alternate members should
have equivalent expertise, including the same scientific or nonscientific status, as the primary member
for whom they are substituting. Representatives of the same department may share a membership in
order to represent a specialty when it would not otherwise be possible to attend meetings due to
conflicting commitments or schedules. Alternate members shall be appointed by the Institutional
Official.
IBC Executive Committee
IBC Charter
Page 2
The IBC Executive Committee (previously named the IBC Ad Hoc Committee) will be convened to
review matters of major concern, such as suspected non-compliance, deviations from approved
protocols, major safety issues related to use of recombinant DNA materials, etc. The Executive
Committee meetings are held on an as necessary basis and can be called by the IBC Chair, IBC Vice
Chair, the Director of Laboratory Research Subjects Protection, or the Biosafety Officer. Any findings
or the results of the IBC Executive Committee will be reported to the full IBC as recommendations for
the full IBC’s consideration.
Meeting Frequency
IBC meetings will be conducted monthly. The frequency of the meetings may be increased or decreased and
special meetings may be called as circumstances dictate.
Quorum
All full members, including the chair, have voting rights. A quorum constitutes more than 50% of the
current membership. A majority vote is the majority of the quorum of full members present.
Actions and Documentation of Meetings
Minutes will document items discussed, location and time of meeting, members present, members
absent and guests. The IBC discussion of each research project will be documented and will include
controverted issues and their resolution, and IBC decisions.
2/15/2008; 9/19/2011; 10/14/2011