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What approvals do I need to work with biohazardous materials?

Authorization
You must have an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) approved protocol prior to initiating work involving biologics or biohazards. The IBC Protocol submission form is available on MCW’s intranet site. If you have access to InfoScope, search for keywords “safety committee forms” and select the first link among search results.

Human and non-human primate material registration is accomplished through Biological Safety Officer (BSO) review and approval, based on the need for bloodborne pathogens and/or infectious material shipping training.

Expiration Date
Approved protocols are valid for three years from the date of BSO or IBC’s approval. You must submit a full application to renew your study in advance of the expiration date if you wish to continue the research.

Modifications
Any modifications you wish to make to your current protocol must be approved by the IBC before it is implemented into your research by submitting an IBC Amendment Form. This form is available on MCW’s intranet site. If you have access to InfoScope, search for keywords “safety committee forms” and select the first link among search results.

Additional approvals
If biohazardous or genetically engineered materials will be used in animals, you must have an approved IBC protocol in place prior to obtaining approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).  Prior to initiation of live animal work, the Biomedical Resource Center (BRC) will arrange for a meeting with the animal care staff to discuss the hazardous nature of the biological agent to be used in animals. If your work involves the acquisition of human blood or tissue samples through an Institutional Review Board (IRB) application, you must have an approved Human Source Materials registration in place prior to obtaining approval from the IRB.