New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory TCSVM Institutional Biosafety Committee

In accordance with the NIH Recombinant DNA Guidelines, Tufts University formed an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) that is responsible for the review and approval of recombinant DNA (rDNA) and infectious agent use. Committee members have extensive experience in the areas of infectious disease, molecular biology, physical containment, research animals and biosafety, as well as regulatory and policy issues. Initially, this IBC served all three Tufts University campuses, including Boston, Grafton and Medford. As such, community representatives from all three of these communities were members of the IBC.

In 2005, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine formed an IBC based in Grafton to focus specifically on rDNA and infectious agent research on the Cummings School campus. In 2006, the TCSVM IBC registered with NIH and, in March 2007, this IBC assumed responsibility for the rDNA and infectious agent research done at the Grafton campus.

As done previously in Boston, individuals from the Cummings School were nominated and approved by the Vice Provost Office. The Town of Grafton Board of Selectmen nominated two Grafton community members to serve on this IBC, who were also approved by Tufts' Vice Provost Office. A third Grafton community member may also serve as an alternate IBC member. Beginning in 2008, the Grafton Board of Health Agent was also designated an ex officio member of the Grafton IBC.

On behalf of the Cummings School, the TCSVM IBC is responsible for:

• review of recombinant DNA and infectious agent research conducted at or sponsored by the institution for compliance with the NIH Guidelines. This review includes: independent assessment of the containment levels required by the NIH Guidelines for the proposed research; assessment of the facilities, procedures, practices, and training and expertise of personnel involved in recombinant DNA and infectious agent research;
• notification of the Principal Investigator with results of the IBC's review and approval;
• containment levels as specified in the relevant sections of the NIH Guidelines dealing with Whole Animals and Whole Plants;
• periodic review of recombinant DNA research conducted at the Cummings School to ensure compliance with the NIH Guidelines;
• adoption of emergency plans covering accidental spills and personnel contamination resulting from recombinant DNA and infectious agent research;
• reporting of any significant problems with or violations of the NIH Guidelines and any significant research-related accidents or illnesses to the appropriate institutional official and NIH/OBA within 30 days, unless the Institutional Biosafety Committee determines that a report has already been filed by the Principal Investigator;
• other functions as may be delegated.