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UTEP IBC Handbook

Introduction
Statement of Purpose
UTEP IBC Composition
Roles and Responsibilities
IBC Policies and Procedures
Submission Types
Review Types, Processes, and Timeline
Protocol Termination
Protocol Deviations and Allegations of Non-Compliance

Statement of Purpose

 

The IBC is an internal review and oversight body for research by UTEP faculty, students, and employees. UTEP must ensure its research is conducted in full compliance with the NIH Guidelines . The IBC is responsible for evaluating the safety of research protocols to identify potential risks to the well-being of research personnel, other individuals, or the environment. To ensure safety, the UTEP IBC strives to mitigate risk to researchers and the surrounding community by:  

  • Create and execute institutional biosafety policies that UTEP researchers must follow.  
  • Ensure the implementation of appropriate measures and protocols when conducting research involving biological agents.  
  • Review proposed research and teaching activities involving biological materials that could affect the biosafety of UTEP personnel and the surrounding community.  
  • Provide assistance and guidance to UTEP's research personnel to ensure compliance with biosafety regulations and guidelines at the international, federal, state, and local levels.  

Ensuring the safety of health and the environment is a collective obligation. The IBC strives to establish clear guidelines and standardize the necessary protocols that shall be adhered to before commencing research activities. However, the PI and research team are responsible for efficiently containing pathogens, rDNA, and SNAMs.  

The IBC's mission is to safeguard human health and the environment by balancing adherence to the NIH Guidelines regarding research involving rDNA or SNAMs, the BMBL, and the United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential.  The IBC assures that the research activities conducted at the institution meet ethical and legal standards by minimizing risk to the research personnel, the community, and the local environment.