IBC Information

The composition of the UAF Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) meets the requirements of the Office of Biotechnology Activities at the National Institutes of Health, the primary federal agency funding the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA) and genetically modified organisms. Per UAF policy #05-005 Biosafety in Research and Teaching, the Vice Chancellor for Research is the institutional official responsible for oversight of UAF's OBA registration. The institutional official, in consultation with the Office of Research Integrity, appoints IBC members and designates the committee chairperson. IBC members are typically appointed to three-year renewable terms. The Director of Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management is responsible for appointing the university's biosafety officer and overseeing the disposal of waste biohazardous materials.

University researchers are required to obtain prior approval for all work involving the following:

  • Recombinant DNA and Artificial Gene Transfers (including gene therapy clinical trials and the creation of transgenic animals).
  • Infectious Agents. Note: This is not limited to human infectious agents.
  • Biologically Derived Toxins. This includes any agent listed on a "Select Agent List" by any federal agency. Examples include, but are not limited to, endotoxins, staphylococcus enterotoxins, saxitoxin, cholera toxin, botulinum toxin, ricin, abrin, and venoms.

Researchers must submit an IBC Biosafety Registration to the Office of Research Integrity through IRBNet. The ORI serves as administrative support for the IBC and will handle all communication between the IBC and principal investigators. ORI staff will conduct an administrative review to insure that the application is complete before placing the application on the IBC schedule.

Note: All researchers need to be aware that the federal government has placed restrictions on who may have access to select agents. Likewise, federal law prohibits the export (which includes access by or transfer to foreign nationals within the US) of select agents without the appropriate permits. Certain other chemicals and agents which are not on the Select Agent Lists have access and transfer restrictions imposed under U.S. Export Regulations. If you have questions about export compliance contact the Export Compliance Officer and Export Control webpage for more information.

IBC Members

Most of the members of the IBC are UAF faculty and staff. The committee also includes at least one community representative and the UAF Attending Veterinarian. The following is a list of the current IBC members and their affiliations:

Molly Murphy, IBC Chair - Pathologist - CNSM Veterinary Medicine
Cheryl Rosa, Attending Veterinarian - Animal Resource Center
Steven Reilly, Community member
Ronald Standlee-Strom, Animal Facility Manager - Animal Resource Center
Tracey Martinson, Biosafety Officer - Department of Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management
Tom Richardson - Community Member
Jack Chen, Virologist - IAB Biomedical & Health Sciences​

The UAF IBC procedures are formulated by the Office of Research Integrity working with the IBC members.  Work involving live vertebrates will also have to comply with UAF's Animal Welfare Assurance with Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals on file with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).

Several UAF policies may be applicable to individuals working with rDNA, genetically modified organisms, infectious agents, or biologically derived toxins in research, teaching, or testing activities. These policies include, but are not limited to, the following:

04-003 Animal Care & Use This policy pertains to the care and use of vertebrate animals used in research and teaching at UAF. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), UAF Veterinary Services, and the Office of Research Integrity are responsible for administering this policy.
04-002 Use of Controlled Substances in Research and Teaching This policy addresses the use of controlled substances in activities at UAF or by UAF personnel in the field. Drug Enforcement Agency registrations are currently held by the Institute of Arctic Biology, Institute of Marine Sciences and the UAF Attending Veterinarian. Units or individuals wishing to obtain a DEA registration must work with the Office of Research Integrity.
04-004 Occupational Health & Safety UAF Animal Facilities: There are unique health and safety risks associated with working in an animal facility. This policy establishes a risk-based assessment process and monitoring procedures for all individuals requiring access to UAF owned animal facilities. Participation in this program is mandatory. More information on the Occupational Health & Safety Program is available on the IACUC website.
05-005 Biosafety in Research & Teaching This policy applies to all uses of recombinant DNA, artificial gene transfer (genetically modified organisms), infectious agents and biologically derived toxins by UAF personnel.
05-003 Principal Investigator Eligibility This policy sets forth guidance regarding who may serve as a principal investigator on sponsored projects and research committee (IACUC, IRB, etc.) submissions. This policy replaces the PI Policy issued by Chancellor Lind (August 2001).
10.07.001 Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training This policy formalizes UAF's commitment to providing formal RCR instruction to research trainees (post doctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students). This policy specifically addresses compliance with the NIH and NSF terms and conditions of award related to RCR training.
  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) All uses of radioactive material or sources is governed by the terms of our NRC License. For more information contact the Radiation Safety Officer (Emily Reiter, eareiter@alaska.edu) or visit the Radiation Safety website.
  Minors on Campus There are general guidelines issued by Environmental Health Safety & Risk Management (EHS&RM) that apply to all minors (under 18) on campus. Additional procedures have been developed for researchers wishing to bring minors into UAF laboratories, including a parental notification process. The Template letter to Parents should be used as a guide. Contact the UAF Risk Manager (Madeline deRepentigny, mmderepentigny@alaska.edu) for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions be sure to contact the staff in the Office of Research Integrity at 907-474-7800.