About the IBC

IBC Responsibilities

The UAF Institutional Biosafety Committee was established in February 2001, by then Chancellor Marshall Lind. This committee was tasked with providing oversight and guidance for all campus needs related to research and teaching involving the use of recombinant DNA, artificial gene transfer, infectious agents, and biologically derived toxins. The Institutional Biosafety Committee's scope has been further expanded to include providing faculty input to the UAF Department of Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management's Lab Safety Group with respect to implementation of the university's Chemical Hygiene Plan.

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.