Registration and Exceptions

Activity registration

• Supervisors in all UMMC schools must register any (research, teaching, or other) activity that involves either recombinant DNA and/or microbiological biohazards with the IBC by electronically submitting the following forms in Adobe pdf format. (See Requirements for IBC Registration)

Visit the Forms page for appropriate forms to be filled out based on the type of activity and biohazards.

If the activity requires institutional approval (Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs’ signature for grant application, contract, material transfer agreement, etc.), submit IBC-required documents concurrently with a UMMC Transmittal Form to the Office of Research (5-5000).

If the activity does not require institutional approval (for example, use of pathogenic microorganisms in a teaching laboratory), submit the required documents directly to the IBC Chair.

Contact IBC Chair for IBC meeting schedule.

If the IBC approves the registration, the supervisor will receive a signed copy of either the Registration Form or Update & Modification Form. If the registration is disapproved, the supervisor will receive a memo detailing deficiencies and outlining what steps must be taken to acquire approval. Registration approval DOES NOT automatically grant permission for work to commence (see Laboratory Certification).

Animals naturally containing or artificially infected with either recombinant DNA or microbiological biohazards must be housed in UMMC’s Laboratory Animal Facilities (4-1385).

Registration exceptions

• Bloodborne pathogens
  Activities whose hazard potential is limited to handling clinical specimens (unfixed human tissue, body fluids, etc.) DO NOT require IBC registration. However, personnel engaged in such activities must be registered with the Surveillance Officer in Student and Employee Health (extension 4-1298) and comply with the Bloodborne Pathogens and Exposure Control Plan (UMMC log-in required). CDC guidelines specify that clinical specimens should be handled under Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) containment.
• Clinical laboratories
  Activities in clinical laboratories (such as specimen handling and testing) DO NOT require IBC registration. Personnel must adhere to practices and procedures requisite for certification by the College of American Pathologists.
• University Hospitals and Clinics
  Activities generally associated with diagnosis and treatment of patients DO NOT require IBC registration. The Infection Control Committee is charged with surveillance of inadvertent hospital infection potentials, the analysis of actual infections, the promotion of a preventative and corrective program designed to minimize infection hazards, and the supervision of infection control in all phases of the hospital’s activities.