Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is a federally mandated university committee responsible for reviewing research activities utilizing recombinant DNA (rDNA) and biohazardous materials to ensure that UTRGV principal investigators and lab personnel are adequately trained and utilize best practices when employing biological agents in research. At UTRGV the IBC also reviews research activities utilizing potentially hazardous biological agents.
All research by UTRGV investigators that involves the following biological agents, regardless of funding source, must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety (IBC) prior to initiation of work:
- Recombinant DNA is defined in the NIH Guidelines as; (1) nucleic acid molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell, and (2) DNA molecules that result from the replication of these molecules.
- Hazardous Biological Agents (HBA’s) these include infectious organisms classified as BSL-2 or above agents by the NIH (CDC) such as pathogenic bacteria, protozoans, fungi, viruses, etc., including attenuated lab & vaccine strains. Human and other vertebrate biological products (cells, fluids, etc.), applicable primary and immortal cell lines, organotypic and tissue cultures involved in research that require universal precautions are also included.
Furthermore, all existing and new protocols involving Human Subjects, Animal Welfare, Biohazardous Materials and/or rDNA require Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) training completion taken within four years. Previously approved protocols will be required to provide evidence of RCR training completion upon Annual Review of IBC certification. Protocols will not be approved unless completion of training is submitted.
All Principal Investigators (PIs) and research personnel listed on their protocols must complete the mandated RCR training. This can be accomplished by taking the CITI RCR training course, other RCR training or a Research Ethics course. In either case a certificate or transcript must be submitted upon submitting completion.
What is the IBC?
The IBC reports to the National Institutes of Health Office of Biotechnology Activities (NIH-OBA), serves in an advisory and consultative capacity to UTRGV’s President and Senior Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies, and New Program Development, works with the Environmental, Health, Safety and Risk Management (EHSRM) Office in matters pertaining to biological hazards. UTRGV’s IBC reviews, approves/disapproves or forwards applications for rDNA work to the NIH, advises on the safe handling, transport, shipment, storage, and disposal of potentially hazardous biological agents involved in research; may review plans for areas designated to be constructed or remodeled for biohazardous work, monitors adherence to best practices for research with biohazardous agents and facilities designed for use with such agents.
Who is on the IBC?
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) at UTRGV is composed of, at least, a Chair and 4 faculty/staff members from UTRGV schools that conduct research with rDNA and/or infectious agents, one member from the EHSRM office, a representative of the animal care program, a BSL3 facilities director, a compliance office representative and two external community members. Voting IBC members must have expertise in the use of rDNA and hazardous biological agents while IBC community members represent community interests in protecting the environment and the local population.
UTRGV’s IBC Membership:
| Dr. Daniele Provenzano | Chair | Professor, Biology |
| Dr. Julie Mustard | Vice Chair | Assistant Professor, Biology |
| Dr. Megan Keniry | Voting Member | Assistant Professor, Biology |
| Dr. Hyeongjun Kim | Voting Member | Assistant Professor, Physics & Astronomy |
| Dr. John Thomas | Voting Member | Assistant Professor, Biology |
| Mr. E. Tony Reisinger | Voting Member | Community representative |
| Dr. Laura Decanini | Voting Member | Community representative |
| Dr. Richard Costello | Ex Officio | EHSRM Director |
| Ms. Cordelia Rasa | Ex Officio | Director of Animal Care Programs and BSL3 facility |
| Ms. Glorimar Colon | Ex Officio | Interim Director of Research Compliance |
| Mr. Javier Garcia, RN | Ex Officio | Safety Specialist I |
| Ms. Nadia Garza De Ramirez | Non-Voting Member | Senior Research Compliance Specialist |
When and where does the IBC meet?
UTRGV's IBC meeting schedule for fiscal year 2020:
| Date | Time | Location | Building/Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 6, 2019 | 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Edinburg | EHSRM Conference Room |
| February 21, 2020 | 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Weslaco or Harlingen | TBD |
| April 10, 2020 | 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Brownsville | BLHSB 2.604 (Salon Esperanza) |
| June 26, 2020 | 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Edinburg | EHSRM Conference Room |
| Previous Meetings | |||
| October 18, 2019 | 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Brownsville | BLHSB 2.604 (Salon Esperanza) |
How do I register my research involving rDNA and Hazardous Biological Agents?
Filled IBC and HBA registration forms should be submitted either through campus mail or by email to Nadia Garza de Ramirez, Senior Research Compliance Specialist at Nadia.GarzaDeRamirez@utrgv.edu. A preliminary review of the application will be conducted and then sent to the committee for review. The IBC typically meets five times a year and as needed. Registration documents should be submitted three weeks prior to the meeting dates and inquiries directed to Nadia Garza De Ramirez.
IBC Forms
Forms and Submission Information
- IBC: Protocol Registration Form - rDNA
- IBC: Protocol Registration Form – HBA
- IBC: Annual Renewal Form - rDNA
- IBC: Annual Renewal Form - HBA
- IBC: New/Temporary Personnel Form - IBC/HBA
IBC Resources Forms:
- Laboratory Biosafety Checklist
- IBC Policies and Procedures
- Do I Need an IBC Protocol?
- IBC Training Guide
- HBA Training Guide
- Training Addendum
- Immunization/Surveillance Schedule
Researchers Training Resources
- Log onto CITI Program On-Line Training modules.
- We developed these forms to facilitate identification of the required training modules for each IBC and HBA protocols depending on risk assessment:
- Contact Ms. Michelle Guglielmo at Michelle.Guglielmo@utrgv.edu to inquire about live EHSRM training sessions schedule and/or about available online UTRGV training resources.
Committee Resources
Click here to log onto SharePoint.
Contacts
Dr. Daniele Provenzano
Chair - Institutional Biosafety Committee
Professor, Bacterial Genetics
BBRHPB 1.125
956-882-5045
Daniele.Provenzano@utrgv.edu
Dr. Richard Costello
Director - Environmental, Health Safety and Risk Management
956-665-3690 (dept.)
956-665-2903 (office)
Richard.Costello@utrgv.edu
Nadia Garza De Ramirez
Senior Research Compliance Specialist
BPOB2 1.103D
956-882-7743
Nadia.GarciaDeRamirez@utrgv.edu