Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews, approves and oversees research involving the use of recombinant or synthetic DNA/RNA and other biohazards.

All work involving biohazards, including recombinant or synthetic DNA/RNA, is reviewed by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and EH&S. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) require us to have an IBC. The committee approves procedures for procurement, use, storage, transportation and disposal of biohazardous material.

IBC meetings are open to the public. The agenda is posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Meeting minutes are posted on this page as they become available.

IBC Policies

Viral Vectors

Viral Vectors for Gene Transfer lists the most commonly used viral vectors and options for replication competent virus (RCV) testing. Some vectors can be used at a lower biosafety level if tested negative for RCV. Contact EH&S first to confirm that RCV testing is an option for your proposed work.

The IBC has established a working definition of third generation lentiviral vectors. If vectors meet the definition of third generation, biocontainment may be lowered for use with oncogenic inserts. Refer to Third Generation Lentiviral Vectors for more information.

Vaccinia Virus Research Safety Policy

EH&S and the IBC have developed a policy for those working with or entering locations where vaccinia virus is used. Review the Vaccinia Virus Research Safety Policy for more information.

What you need to know

IBC monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public and take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The meeting is held virtually with a location for in-person attendance. Refer to the posted IBC agenda for meeting attendance information.

The IBC reviews applications for Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) during meetings. You must submit a complete and accurate BUA application or a Request for Change to BUA application by 5:00 p.m. four weeks prior to the meeting at which you’d like your project to be reviewed. Clinical trial BUA applications may require up to six weeks for review. Refer to the BUA submission deadlines.

Submit a complete BUA application (Word) or Change to BUA application (Word) to ehsbio@uw.edu.

The IBC will review BUA applications and clinical trial BUA applications according to a pre-determined process.

Visit the Biological Research Approval page for more information.

What you can do to stay safe

Be sure any research with biohazards is approved by the IBC. Submit a BUA application for any work involving biohazards, including recombinant or synthetic DNA/RNA.
Follow all of the biosafety containment practices and procedures and additional guidance as specified in your BUA letter.
Get involved! Attend a meeting to see how research involving biohazards is reviewed.