The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in accordance with 10 CFR 851: Worker Health and Safety Program, has charged the Institutional Biosafety Committeee (IBC) with the planning and implementation of a Laboratory-wide biosafety program to ensure the health and safety of all personnel working with biohazardous agents. The IBC makes certain that research conducted at Argonne is in compliance with the following:
- NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Biosafety Publications
- 42 CFR Part 73: Select Agents and Toxins
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
Meetings and Minutes
The IBC meets regularly to review new research applications as well as requests for modifications to previously approved protocols. When feasible and consistent with the protection of personal privacy and proprietary information, members of the public may attend IBC meetings. Meetings are held virtually on a quarterly basis, typically on the third Tuesday of January, April, July, and October, from 3 to 4 p.m. Individuals interested in attending a meeting should contact Argonne’s Biosafety Program Manager, Steve Rupkey, at least one month in advance of the scheduled meeting.
Minutes of past meetings are now available in the Biosafety Program Box folder.
Protocol Review Process
Researchers planning to work with recombinant DNA (rDNA) or biohazardous materials at Argonne must first submit an application for assessment to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). This is done through Argonne’s Biosafety Office using the designated protocol submission software.
The IBC meets regularly to review submitted protocols and provide comments or request revisions as necessary. To be included on the meeting agenda, applications must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the scheduled IBC meeting. However, researchers are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid delays in research activities.
Once approved, protocols are valid for three years and must undergo a re-approval process at the end of that period. Researchers are also required to check in annually with the IBC to report on the status of their research.
Any modifications to an approved protocol—such as the introduction of new biological materials, changes that require new or additional permits, or the implementation of new exposure control measures—must be submitted for IBC review and approved prior to implementation.
Advanced Photon Source (APS) users are subject to an additional safety review by the APS.