Institutional Biosafety (for Human Subject Research at UNTHSC)

UNTHSC Requirement

Per institutional policy, an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) protocol is required for all activities involving the use of human biological material including (but not limited to): blood and its components, body fluids, tissues and tissue fluids. This IBC protocol must receive review and approval by the Institutional Biosafety Committee.

It should be noted that the IBC is not part of the IRB. Subsequently, an IBC protocol is considered separate from the IRB protocol and IRB approval process. Therefore, researchers should not assume that obtaining North Texas Regional IRB approval satisfies this or other institutional requirements. Recall that researchers are responsible for obtaining the appropriate approvals and clearance from all applicable offices, departments and regulatory agencies (e.g., Institutional Biosafety Committee, Office of Sponsored Programs, Research Conflict of Interest, Legal/Contracts, International Compliance, Sponsor or funding agency and/or Marketing, etc.) before initiating a study in order to remain compliant with institutional policy, federal regulation and state law.

Additionally, please note that IBC approval does not need to be provided to the IRB. For guidance/information on the IBC protocol submission process, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety (Biosafety Program) Office at ibc@unthsc.edu, or visit their webpage at https://unthscstaging.wpengine.com/safety/biosafety/

This page was last modified on May 25, 2023