Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

It is the responsibility of the Bowdoin College Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) to provide local review and oversight of research or teaching activities utilizing recombinant DNA, synthetic nucleic acid molecules, biohazardous agents, or biotoxins conducted in College facilities or by College personnel, and to ensure that the College safeguards human health and the environment by maintaining an adherence to guidelines set forth by the National Institutes of Health, including but not limited to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines).

What does the IBC do?

The purpose of the IBC is to ensure that research at Bowdoin using genetically modified organisms, biohazardous agents, and biotoxins is done responsibly. To this end, any work involving the biohazards, biotoxins or the genetic modification of viable organisms go through a full review by the IBC. The committee review will focus on issues related to the safety and well-being of members of the Bowdoin and surrounding communities, as well as the environment in which they live.

When does the IBC meet?

The IBC shall meet at least once during each semester. Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed.

PI’s will be notified of meeting times and encouraged to submit proposals one month prior to the meeting.

The public is welcome to attend the portion of any IBC meeting dedicated to discussing research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid (r/sNA). If you are interested in attending an upcoming meeting, please contact ibc@bowdoin.edu for more details. 

How do I submit an IBC protocol application?

IBC protocol application forms can be found here.

If you have questions about the application process or the application itself, please contact the IBC at ibc@bowdoin.edu.

If approved, is there a renewal process?

The IBC may approve protocols for up to three years’ duration; however, submission to and approval by the IBC of a continuing review form is required annually during the protocol’s approval period.

Do I need training?

If your protocol involves working with vertebrates, you will need the College's Animal Care and Use training or its online equivalent which can be found at CITI.

Consult the Bowdoin College Office Of Laboratory Safety to see if additional safety trainings applied to your research.