By its very nature, research is dynamic. Exciting results spark ideas for new experiments. Before you start a new research project or experiment, be sure to include reviewing and updating your biosafety protocol in your planning process.
You may already know that if your research involves recombinant or biohazardous materials, a biosafety protocol must be submitted in Bio-ARROW and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to beginning work. But do you also know when you need to amend your biosafety protocol?
Many changes in research require IBC approval before getting started in the lab, including:
- Addition of new personnel
- Personnel must be added through a grant/personnel amendment and complete the Biosafety Required Training before beginning work.
- Addition of new research locations
- Examples include the addition of a core facility or shared space, a collaborator’s lab, or a new vivarium space.
- Addition of new recombinant or biohazardous materials
- Examples include the addition of new constructs, cell lines, plants, animals, microbes, or strains.
- Change in activities, including adding new experiments with previously approved materials
- Examples include the administration of a microbe to animals or plants that were previously approved for use in cell culture experiments, addition of aerosol-generating activities such as homogenization or flow cytometry, and addition of large-scale cultures (≥10 L) for a microbe that was previously approved in smaller quantities.
- Change in practices
- Examples include wearing different personal protective equipment (PPE) or a change in containment methods.
Be aware that some changes in research require approval from more than one committee. Work may not begin until all approvals are in place. For example, experiments in which recombinant materials are administered to animals need approval from both the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) and the IBC. Experiments involving human research subjects may need approval from both an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the IBC.
Instructions for submitting research amendments and grant/personnel amendments can be found in the Bio-ARROW KB. For questions or additional help, please check the biosafety protocol FAQs or reach out to the Office of Biological Safety at biosafety@fpm.wisc.edu or 608-263-2037.
by Andrea Ladd
Andrea Ladd is the Director of Biological Safety – Biological Safety Officer. She joined EHS in 2016 and oversees the Office of Biological Safety, including IBC and Laboratory Operations, Animal Research Safety, Select Agent/DURC Program, and Biocontainment Program.
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