The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews, approves and oversees research involving the use of recombinant or synthetic DNA/RNA and other biohazards. The monthly meeting agenda is posted here at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Meeting minutes are posted on this page as they become available.
IBC Policies
The IBC’s definition of a biohazard includes:
- Pathogenic agents (bacteria, rickettsia, fungi, viruses, protozoa, parasites, prions and select agents)
- Recombinant or synthetically derived nucleic acid, including those that are chemically or otherwise modified analogs of nucleotides (e.g., morpholinos), or both. The NIH defines synthetically derived nucleic acid molecules as follows:
- Molecules that a) are constructed by joining nucleic acid molecules and b) can replicate in a living cell (i.e., recombinant nucleic acids);
- Nucleic acid molecules that are chemically or by other means synthesized or amplified, including those that are chemically or otherwise modified but can base pair with naturally occurring nucleic acid molecules (i.e., synthetic nucleic acids);
- Molecules that result from the replication of those described in (a) or (b) above
- Recombinant DNA molecules, organisms, vectors (e.g., plasmids, viral vectors) and viruses containing recombinant DNA molecules
- Human and non-human primate blood, tissue, body fluids and cell cultures (primary or continuous)
- Plants, animals or derived waste which contain or may contain pathogenic hazards (including xenotransplantation tissue)
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.
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.
About the UW IBC
IBC meetings are open to the public. The agenda is posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Convened IBC meetings are held monthly on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The meeting is held virtually with a location for in-person attendance. Refer to the current IBC agenda for meeting attendance information.
The IBC reviews Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) applications during convened meetings. Applications must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the convened meeting date as per BUA Submission Dates.
Refer to the IBC Project Review Flow Chart and Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines.
Information about obtaining Biological Use Authorization (BUA) is on the Biological Research Approval page.
Refer to Clinical Trials for specific information about IBC approval for clinical trials.
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.
Read the IBC Charter to understand the purview of the IBC for oversight of research involving biohazards at the University of Washington.
Meeting Minutes
- January 22
- February 19
- March 19
- April 16
- May 21
- June 18
- July 16
- August 20
- September 17
- October 15
- November 19
- December 17
Contact the Office of Public Records to request additional meeting minutes.
Emergency Response and Reporting
UW personnel are required to submit an incident report to Environmental Health & Safety for any work-related event that results in an injury, illness, exposure to hazardous materials, property damage, or fire, regardless of the work location. UW personnel are highly encouraged to submit work-related near-miss events. Visit the Incident Reporting page for more information.
Notify EH&S immediately (after first aid/medical care/emergency services) if the incident involves recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids or genetically modified organisms.
- During EH&S business hours: (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday) call (206) 221-7770.
- Outside of EH&S business hours: call the UW Police Department at (206) 685-8973 to reach EH&S on-call staff.