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Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The formation of an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) at any institution conducting research with recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids is mandated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (Guidelines). At Northwestern University, the IBC receives its authority from the President of Northwestern and is further charged with review, approval, and oversight of all research protocols involving the use of biohazardous materials. Thus, the purview of the IBC includes research involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids as well as agents infectious or harmful to humans, animals, and/or plants (regardless of the presence of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids), and other genetically altered organisms and agents.