What we do

The MU Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is appointed by the Division of Research, Innovation & Impact to oversee the campus Biosafety Program. The IBC comprises the Recombinant or Nucleic Acid Molecule Research subcommittee and the Biosafety subcommittee.

We approve and oversee all research activities involving:

• Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
• Human, animal and plant pathogens (bacteria, virus, yeast, fungus, blood, bodily fluids, tissues, cell lines, prions and parasitic agents, etc.) including growth, manipulation and/or other handling and use in vitro or in vivo.

Specific responsibilities of the committee:

• Review and recommend policies and guidelines that ensure biosafety procedures, equipment, facilities and training are appropriate for the biohazard risk.
• Perform an annual audit of the MU Biosafety Program.
• Review and approve all use of rDNA or Biosafety Level 2 or 3 materials prior to work being conducted.
• Review the Environmental Health and Safety monitoring of Permitted Individuals and assist in resolving problems.
• Provide a campus forum for addressing issues involving biohazardous materials.

This process provides guidelines that ensure appropriate biosafety procedures, equipment, facilities and training are adequate in conjunction with the biohazard risk.

Committee chair – Michael Calcutt, professor of veterinary pathobiology, molecular microbiology and immunology
Biosafety official – Steven Hynes, manager of biosafety, Environmental Health and Safety office
IBC contact – Anna Hamilton, senior compliance manager, Division of Research, Innovation and Impact

Contact us at IBC@missouri.edu.
 

IBC meetings

Meeting dates are the third Thursday of the month; protocol submission deadlines are one month before each meeting date. 

Meetings are held via Zoom and start promptly at 2 pm unless otherwise noted.

** Protocol submission cutoff dates are to assure adequate time for committee review.