Projects involving biological agents require time for approval. Start your submission in eProtocol early! For researchers, the following tips are important. If you aren’t sure if your project requires IBC approval, contact the IBC Office staff.

1. Contact the IBC Office first

You are busy. We work with researchers and read protocols every day. Let us help you to properly navigate the IBC protocol form, describe your procedures, recommend safety and risk mitigation procedures, and describe risks to personnel. We can help you navigate the electronic protocol system and get the application submitted quickly and easily.

2. Ensure that all agents proposed in the study are listed and described completely

An IBC protocol requires that all biological agents to be used in the study be listed, along with their strain, vector, host, or genetic modifications and correct Risk Group and Biosafety Level classification.

3. Use clear, non-scientific language in your protocol.

Our reviewers are scientists and used to reading IBC protocols, but they may not be experts in your field of study. Your IBC reviewers may be faculty scientists, veterinarians, or non-scientists. Avoid abbreviations and specific technical terms as much as possible.

4. Provide all the details of all procedures

Properly describe, in detail, all the procedures from start to finish – do not simply list the procedure types. Make sure to list any risks to personnel and how those risks will be mitigated. Do not overlook potential hazards such as aerosol generation, sharps use, or exposure routes. The expectation is to list the risk assessment associated with the protocol, not list PPE that will be used

5. Submit supporting documentation

Remember to attach required supporting documents. This includes SOP’s, training records, plasmid maps, etc.