SUNY ESF
Institutional Biosafety Committee

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) must review all research involving infectious agents, fresh human tissue, recombinant DNA, and activities involving non-native species requiring USDA-APHIS permits.
SUNY ESF expects that all research will be performed with the highest safety standards, to guarantee the safety of the public and ESF employees. The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is charged with ensuring that research is performed in a safe environment and in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the National Institutes of Health and other applicable authorities. The IBC will review all research conducted at or sponsored by ESF or conducted by employees of ESF which involves recombinant DNA, infectious, or potentially bio-hazardous agents, or activities involving non-native species requiring USDA-APHIS permits.

The IBC is authorized to inspect research facilities, approve research practices and procedures, and to take actions, such as enforcement or cessation of research or instructional activities in the event of an unsafe workplace/instructional situation.
All human blood, fresh tissue, or body fluids must be regarded as possibly infected with blood borne pathogens such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Therefore, the ESF IBC will review procedures for safe handling and may inspect ESF research facilities where human blood, fresh human tissue, or body fluids are used, or research facilities used by ESF research personnel, to ensure maximum safety.

Committee charge

• Ensure that all research involving recombinant DNA complies with the NIH Guidelines
• Oversee activities involving non-native species requiring USDA-APHIS permits
• Develop and implement appropriate administrative procedures for ESF’s handling of pathogens and pests as the Committee determines necessary
• Submit reports to the V.P. of Research detailing any instances of regulatory non-compliance or concerns, and recommended responses 
• Act as a resource for instructors and researchers to aid in their handling of human and environmental pests and pathogens
• Adapt to ESF’s relative needs in order to meet relevant regulatory requirements and the resource needs of instructors and researchers

Forms and Documents

• IBC Policy and Procedures
• IBC Application Form
• IBC Biosafety Manual Template
• IBC Guidance on the Use of Human, Primate, and Mammalian Cell Lines 
• IBC Progress Report 
• IBC Laboratory Biosafety Level 2 Inspection Report 

IBC Committee Members

• John Wasiel
• Ramesh Raina
• Brian Leydet
• Thomas Duncan
• Stephen Teale
• Andrew Newhouse
• Cynthia Downs

Inquiries

John Wasiel
5 Bray Hall
 jrwasiel@esf.edu
 315-470-4848