The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for the oversight, review and approval of all biological research conducted at Saint Louis University, as well as institutional compliance with federal, state and local requirements governing the use of biological materials, including select agents and toxins, and life sciences dual use research of concern (DURC).
Any IBC-related questions can be directed to eibc@slu.edu.
Resources and Documents for Investigators
- eProtocol IBC Principal Investigator User Guide
- Laboratory Training Record Template
- Laboratory Specific Training Outline
- IBC Roster
- Procedures for Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Oversight and Principal Investigator Responsibilities
- IBC Policy Letter
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL)
- Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC)
- Exposure Control Plan
- Human Cell Line Policy
- EHS Training
Getting Started
Determine if IBC Review is Required
- Review is required for research conducted with any human-derived and primate-derived biological materials, bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, parasites, prions, fungi, toxins, and any recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.
- For purposes of the IBC, biological agents also include Risk Group 1 (RG1) biological agents that are known or suspected of being hazardous to animal populations or plants, or that could be opportunistic pathogens that may cause infection in the young, the aged, and/or immunodeficient or immunosuppressed individuals.
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- A PI may not acquire, take possession of or introduce into any SLU laboratory a new biological agent until required IBC approval for the use and/or storage of the new biological agent is attained.
Complete Required Training and Inspections
- Annual Laboratory Safety Training
- Laboratory-Specific Training
- Annual Bloodborne Pathogen Training (if research involves work with HIV, HBV, HCV or human and nonhuman primate biological materials.)
- Shippers Training every two years (if biological agents will be transported on public roads or by air.)
- All laboratories working with biological materials must be inspected annually. The inspection form is provided here.
- For research requiring BSL-3 or ABSL-3 facilities, before beginning preparation of eIBC protocol, you must complete the training specified in Section C of Minimum Training and Experience Requirements for BSL-3/ABSL-3 Work with SARS-CoV-2 and Other High Risk Pathogens.
- Other specific training as applicable (e.g., BSL-3, Select Agent, etc.)
Prepare an eIBC Protocol
- SLU utilizes eIBC - powered by ePROTOCOL for the creation and submission of biosafety protocols (Visit eibc.slu.edu.)
- The eIBC system functions well on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox 10 or later, or Apple Safari 5.6.1. Pop-ups must be enabled.
- The eIBC system is open to all Saint Louis University investigators. To log in, use your SLU user name and password.
- The eIBC dashboard will show all of the protocols on which you are listed as personnel. Personnel listed as Principle Investigator, Co-Investigator, Lab Supervisor or Study Coordinator can edit the protocol. Personnel listed under Other Personnel can only view the protocol.
- Individual training information should be attached (see Laboratory Training Record template).
- The eProtocol IBC Principal Investigator User Guide provides detailed instruction for creating, amending and cloning protocols. For further instruction, contact the IBC Manager at 314-977-6897 or eibc@slu.edu.
Submit eIBC Protocol
- It is expected the PI will complete the eIBC protocol with the same level of quality, attention to details and diligence (including timely submission) as their research deserves.
- When a new protocol is created, all questions must be answered and boxes filled in or you will be unable to submit the protocol to the IBC for review.
- Post submission, protocols undergo pre-review by the IBC Coordinator and BSO.
IBC Approval
- New protocols undergo full review by the committee. Amended protocols and annual reviews undergo full committee review as well unless the changes are minor and do not significantly affect biosafety, in which case the protocol will be assigned designated review by the IBC Manager for review and interim approval by the Biological Safety Officer (BSO) between meetings.
- After final approval by the IBC, eIBC protocols are active for five years and can be amended at any time during that period by the PI.
- Protocols become nonactive the day after the five-year expiration and all work on the project must cease. A 90-day, 60-day and 30-day expiration notice will be sent to the PI. A new or cloned protocol must be created and title of the protocol should contain the following: (Five-Year Renewal of Protocol #____-_____).
- Annual Continuing Review prior to the anniversary approval date of the protocol is required. A 30-day, seven-day and one-day request for review notice will be sent to the PI.
- eIBC Protocols must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the scheduled IBC meeting date for review. This is to ensure adequate time for pre-review as well as providing sufficient time for submission to the committee members for their review before the meeting.
Upcoming IBC Meeting Dates
- Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023
- Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023
- Wednesday, March 22, 2023
- Wednesday, April 26, 2023
- Wednesday, May 24, 2023
- Wednesday, June 21, 2023