Welcome to The rDNA Committee
Welcome to the Institutional Biosafety Committee
These pages are design to provide you with assistance and guidance in applying for the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA) and other biohazardous materials in your studies. If you do not find the information you need on these webpages or need assistance, contact
Deborah James
Administrative Research Assistant
Institutional Biosafety Committee
910 Madison Avenue, Ste. 650
Tel. 901-448-2871
Fax. 901-448-3738
Email: djames8@utmem.edu
What is rDNA?
Per the National Institutes of Health (NIH) rDNA Guidelines, rDNA is defined as (1) Molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell. (2) DNA molecules that result from the replication of these molecules.
What are biohazardous materials?
Biohazardous materials and organisms include all infectious agents or biologically derived infectious materials that present either a risk or a potential risk to the health of humans, animals or the environment. The risk can be direct through infection or indirect through damage to the environment. Biohazardous materials include certain types of recombinant DNA; organisms and viruses infectious to humans, animals or plants (e.g. parasites, viruses, bacteria, fungi, prions, rickettsia); and biologically active agents (i.e. toxins, allergens, venoms) that may cause disease in other living organisms or cause significant impact to the environment or community. Biological materials you may not consider to be biohazardous may still be regulated as biohazardous materials.
The use of biohazardous materials will require IBC approval shortly, and a registration form for these materials will be found on the left sidebar.
What is the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)?
The IBC is an institutional committee, originally created under the NIH guidelines, composed of faculty and a minimum of two community members. The faculty members have expertise in the use of the biological materials currently on this campus. The IBC community members are present to represent the community interest in protecting the environment of our university. The role of the IBC has expanded over time, and the committee reviews rDNA research and other forms of research that entail biohazardous risks.
If you have expertise in biosafety, rDNA or infectious agents and would like to serve on the IBC, please notify Deborah James.
Do I need IBC approval for my rDNA studies if I have funding from another agency other than the NIH?
Yes. NIH policies require that all work carried on at an institution that receives any NIH funding must be approved by the IBC. If you do not apply for and receive approval, then the NIH funding of all investigators on our campus may be withheld.
How do I obtain approval for my research involving rDNA?
Step by step instructions to register for IBC approval to conduct rDNA research are available at the link in the left sidebar, "Instructions for Applying for rDNA Approval".
How do I obtain approval for my research involving biohazardous material?
Instructions will be posted once the form has been finalized.
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