Biological Safety

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.

The Biological Safety program is designed to maintain safe conditions in biological research and prevent harm to humans, animals and the environment. Safe biological research includes appropriate facilities and equipment, adequate training, proper laboratory practices and safe working conditions. Biological safety helps protect the UW community of students, faculty, staff and visitors. It also helps maintain our academic excellence and integrity and ensure research funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other funding sources.