Introduction to Institutional Biosafety Committees and Supporting Programs

Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs), a required review board per the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules and multiple municipal ordinances and regulations, are the cornerstone of institutional oversight of biological research (including recombinant DNA). As the number of institutions involved in biomedical research and the volume of this research has increased, there is an increasingly important need for better prepared IBCs to perform the critical and difficult function of reviewing biomedical research proposals.

MSMR is offering an on-line training for prospective and new IBC administrators, biosafety officers, IBC members (including IBC community (non-affiliated) members), and public health regulators. Sessions will cover the history and structure of IBCs, the regulations and guidelines that impact IBCs, practical guidance on IBC administration, IBC protocol review and risk assessment, and incorporating the IBC into your institution’s regulatory and ethical framework.

If you are interested in this course or if you know of someone who is an IBC administrator, IBC member or is considering serving on an IBC, check out the information and registration page here.

Who should attend: Are you are a new IBC member or new to IBC administration? Do you want to get a good IBC foundation? If Yes to any of these questions, this course is also for you.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Gain an understanding of the history of ethical concerns presented by rDNA research.
Describe in detail the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules and other relevant regulations.
Discuss practical considerations for day-to-day administration of an IBC.
Develop an understanding of the IBC review process, including biological risk assessment, to ensure appropriate oversight and precautions can be implemented.
Identify strategies to effectively manage IBCs and best practices for coordination of review and oversight for research requiring review from multiple committees (i.e., research involving human subjects (IRB) and animal subjects (IACUC))

FORMAT
The program consists of five weekly webinars (approximately 1.5 hours each), study assignment, and live facilitated question and answer (Q&A) sessions with an instructor. Webinars are pre-recorded. Each week, participants watch a recorded webinar and complete the study assignment. The week will conclude with a one-half hour (Q&A) instructor-led discussion session among classmates. Participants must attend at least 3 of the live discussion sessions over the course of the five weeks. Successful completion of each weekly module (webinar plus study assignment) is required before the student progresses to the next module.

Students who satisfactorily complete all webinar/assignments and class participation (attend at least 3 live Q&A sessions) will receive an MSMR Certificate of Completion.

Course starts September 19,  2022
Live ½ hour Q&A Sessions will be offered twice per week