Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

Need Assistance?
Phone: (310) 794-0262
Email: ibc@research.ucla.edu

Feel free to reach out to schedule a one-on-one session (via zoom) for IBC-related information, assistance with creating an IBC protocol, or using the SafetyNet system.

You can also join our IBC monthly drop-in Zoom sessions: Zoom sessions will be held on the first Tuesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

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Note: The IBC staff are working remotely. Committee and PI meetings are held via Zoom.

Mailing Address
10889 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1406

About the IBC and Biosafety Program

Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) were originally established under the NIH Guidelines to provide local review and oversight of nearly all forms of research utilizing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (r/sNAs). Over time, many institutions have chosen to assign their IBCs the responsibility of reviewing a variety of experimentation that involves biological materials and other potentially hazardous agents. This additional responsibility is assigned entirely at the discretion of the institution.

The UCLA IBC is responsible for reviewing and overseeing research r/sNAs and other biohazard materials. A full list of materials covered by UCLA’s IBC can be found below in the "Relevant Regulations and Materials".

The IBC is a faculty-led committee appointed by the UCLA Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) and consists of experts in various fields, including biosafety, human gene therapy, infectious disease, recombinant DNA, animal containment, plant containment, and occupational health. The IBC is responsible for establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures involving hazardous biological materials and r/sNAs to meet applicable federal, state, local and institutional regulations, and guidelines.

The Biosafety Program within Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) partners with the IBC to provide technical expertise, and provides training, resources, and guidance to researchers to ensure safe laboratory practices and containment of biohazards, protecting personnel, the public, and the environment.

Relevant Regulations and Materials

The IBC reviews and approves protocols for academic research and teaching laboratories involving the following materials:

1. r/sNA molecules, as covered by the NIH Guidelines including:
   1. Genetically modified animals and whole plants
   2. Clinical research studies involving r/sNAs, as described by the NIH Guidelines.
   3. Research classified as Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) managed by the High Containment Program
   4. Animals or animal specimens known to be reservoirs/vectors of zoonotic diseases, as covered by the NIH Guidelines.
2. Infectious agents that can cause disease in healthy humans and/or significant environmental or agricultural impacts, as covered by the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL).
3. Human and nonhuman primate materials, as covered by the Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
4. Select agents and select toxins, as covered by the CDC DSAT regulations.
5. Research involving any agent listed in Appendix A (lists diseases requiring airborne (e.g., TB, measles) or droplet precautions (e.g., influenza, mumps)) or Appendix D (lists lab aerosol transmissible pathogens needing BSL 3 or higher containment, like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS coronavirus) of the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard, CCR Title 8, Section 5199; issued by Cal/OSHA to require employers to implement an effective program to minimize exposure of employees to pathogens transmitted via aerosols and droplets.