Institutional Biosafety Committee

The Institutional Biosafety Committee is a federally regulated compliance body established under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.

Its primary purpose is to ensure that research involving biohazardous materials, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, and other biological agents at The University of Alabama is conducted safely, ethically, and in full compliancewith applicable federal, state, and institutional standards.

At UA, the IBC operates under the authority of the Vice President for Research & Economic Development through the Office for Research Ethics & Compliance.

It functions independently of colleges, departments, and investigators, and its composition, scope, and authority are defined by the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP).

IBC Independence and Decision-Making Authority

The IBC’s decisions are based on scientific risk assessment, regulatory standards, and biosafety best practices,not on convenience, workload, or funding considerations.

• The IBC’s authority is regulatory, not advisory to individual faculty.
• Faculty, staff, or administrators may not coerce, intimidate, retaliate, direct, pressure, or override IBC committee members or their determinations regarding research approvals, containment levels, or safety requirements.
• Any attempt to pressure, intimidate, or improperly influence IBC members or their decisions is strictly prohibited. Such actions may result in disciplinary review, suspension of research privileges, and, if warranted, referral to federal oversight agencies. Regulatory consequences to the University include:
• Suspension or revocation of the University’s IBC registration;
• Suspension of the University’s review of UA research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids; or
• Restriction or termination of NIH funding for affected projects or the institution as a whole.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Investigators are responsible for providing accurate and complete descriptions of proposed research, including all biological materials and methods.
• The IBC evaluates those submissions to confirm that containment practices, training, and facilities meet required biosafety standards.
• EHS (Environmental Health & Safety) provides operational biosafety support and implements laboratory-level safety training and inspections.
• OREC (Office for Research Ethics & Compliance) administers the IBC, maintains official records, and ensures alignment with NIH reporting and documentation requirements.

Why the IBC’s Independence Matters

The IBC’s independent oversight protects:

• The safety of researchers, students, and staff working with biohazards;
• The integrity of The University of Alabama’s research programs; and
• The trust of funding agencies, regulatory partners, and the public.

The IBC’s role is not to inhibit research, but to ensure that all biological research at UA is conducted responsibly, transparently, and in compliance with national biosafety standards.

Faculty participation and collaboration with the IBC are encouraged and valued, but compliance determinations are not negotiable.

Who Can Serve

• The IBC must have at least five members with collective expertise to assess risks associated with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid research.
• At least two members must be unaffiliated with The University of Alabama and represent community interests in health and environmental protection.
• The roster must include (or have ad hoc access to) relevant expertise (e.g., plant, animal, and human containment).
• A Biosafety Officer (BSO) must be a member if the institution conducts large-scale work, BL3/BL4 research, or work involving gene-drive modified organisms.
• Faculty members serving on the IBC must hold tenure to ensure an experienced, independent, and stable governance perspective in committee deliberations.
• (Source: NIH Office of Science Policy, NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.)

How Members Are Appointed

• Members are appointed by the Institutional Official (IO), the Vice President for Research & Economic Development (or designee).
• UA files an annual roster and member biosketches with the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP).
• Members do not review projects in which they are involved or have a direct financial interest, consistent with federal conflict-of-interest standards.

Time & Expectations

• Attend regular IBC meetings and participate in protocol review.
• Complete required biosafety, confidentiality, and conflict-of-interest attestations.
• Training and orientation are provided; ad hoc consultants may supplement expertise when needed.

Typical time commitment: IBC members generally attend a 90-minute monthly meeting and spend an additional 7–9 hours reviewing protocol materials in advance. The total annual time commitment averages approximately 7–10 hours per month, including meeting attendance, review preparation, and brief online compliance attestations.

Meeting Attendance and Quorum Requirements

Regular attendance is essential to the function of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Because the IBC operates under federal oversight (NIH Guidelines), each meeting must maintain a formal quorum of voting members in order to review and approve research protocols.

If quorum is not met, the committee cannot conduct official business, including review or approval of new or continuing research.

Consistent participation ensures:

• Compliance with NIH and institutional regulations;
• Timely review of research protocols; and
• Fair workload distribution among members.

IBC members are expected to:

• Attend monthly meetings (typically 60–90 minutes);
• Notify the IBC Administrator in advance if unable to attend; and
• Complete pre-meeting protocol reviews in a timely manner.

Repeated absences may require replacement of the member to preserve the committee’s ability to meet federal quorum and review requirements.

How to Volunteer for Consideration

• Email the IBC Administrator, Erica Chapin, at emchapin@ua.edu with:
  • A brief statement of interest and areas of expertise;
  • A current CV; and
  • Whether you are a community (unaffiliated) or UA-affiliated candidate.
• UA maintains a candidate pool and fills openings based on required expertise and NIH composition rules.
• Roster updates are posted and filed with the NIH OSP annually.

For more information, contact the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) at ibc@ua.edu.

Office for Research Ethics & Compliance, The University of Alabama.