Cornell University Office of Research Integrity and Assurance

• Policy and Standard Operating Procedure
• Submission Requirements & Meeting Schedule
• Regulations, Guidance, & Resources
• Forms
  • MUA Registration
• Committee Responsibilities
• Comittee Membership
• Glossary
• ORIA Homepage

Institutional Biosafety Committee

Cornell University's Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews and approves all research and teaching activities involving the use of biohazardous agents on the Ithaca and Geneva campuses and other sites under the control of Cornell faculty, students and staff. The IBC works to ensure that all research involving biohazardous materials and the facilities used to conduct the research, are in compliance with existing government regulations and applicable University policies.

The IBC functions to ensure that the University upholds its responsibility and obligations outlined by current government requirements described in the National Institute of Health's Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines), The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations , and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations. In areas of overlap, it coordinates with Cornell's programs for animal care and use, protections for human participants in research and radiation safety.

The IBC is supported by the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA). For additional information please contact Debra Dwyer, dad3@cornell.edu, 255-7219.

Cornell University requires that all work with recombinant DNA materials be registered with the IBC, regardless of classification as Exempt or NonExempt from the NIH Guidelines. The list of research activities and agents regulated by the IBC is:

• Biohazardous Agents
  Infectious/pathogenic agents classified in the following categories:
  • Class 2, 3, and 4 bacterial, fungal, parasitic, viral, rickettsial or chlamydial agents as identified in lists from the NIH , CDC and ABSA
  Other agents that have the potential for causing disease in healthy individuals, animals, or plants:
  • Regulated plant pests as published in Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of USDA. A MUA is required if you are working with or in possession of any of these plant pathogens/pests.
  • Select biological agents and toxins as published in lists at CDC and APHIS. These agents have the potential to significantly affect public health and agriculture, and their possession and use is highly regulated. Contact the Biological Safety Officer at Environmental Health & Safety (254-4888, fac2@cornell.edu) if you wish to work with any of these agents.
• Recombinant DNA Molecules
  • Molecules which are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell or,
  • DNA molecules that result from the replication of those described in "1" above.
• Gene Therapy
  • Delivery of exogenous genetic material (DNA or RNA) to somatic cells for the purpose of modifying those cells.