Institutional Biosafety Committee

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) oversees biological safety at SJSU. The committee ensures safe and responsible use of research facilities and adherence to requirements for handling of biological agents as specified in National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines and applicable university policies. The overall objective of the IBC is to ensure that activities meet the standards of good biological safety practice emphasizing protection of personnel, the public, and the environment.

Biological Use Authorization

All SJSU faculty, staff, and lecturers who use any of the biological agents in research or teaching activities must submit a request for a biological use authorization (BUA) when research activities involve any of the following:

  • Biological agents above biosafety level 1(BSL-1)
  • Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules
  • Unfixed materials derived from humans and nonhuman primates
  • Collection of plant and animal or cultivation of exotic or noxious plants
  • Biological toxins with an LD50 of less than 100 micrograms per kilogram of body weight in vertebrates;
  • Select agents and toxins subject to 42 CFR Part 73, 9 CFR Part 121, or 7 CFR Part 331;
  • Agents of Dual Use Research Concern

Violations or Accidents

Violations of NIH Guidelines, any problems, research-related accidents or illnesses must be immediately reported to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (biosafety@sjsu.edu) for review. Incidents specified in the NIH Guidelines must be reported to the NIH Office of Science Policy.

Related Resources

IRB Contact

IACUC Contacts

IBC Contacts

Protection of Human Subjects and Care of Laboratory Animals

F17-1, University Policy, Protection of Human Research Subjects [pdf] [pdf]

S14-6, University Policy - Policy and Assurance for Humane Care and Use of Animals at San José State University [pdf] [pdf]