IBC Scope of Oversight

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews biological projects for research, clinical, and  teaching occurring in Boston and Nahant and involving the following materials:  

• Recombinant Nucleic Acid Molecules 
• Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules 
• Genetically modified cells, microorganisms, animals, and plants (GMOs) 
• Viral Vector and other vector technologies 
• Nanotechnology (able to enter living cells) 
• Gene Drive Modified Organisms (GDMOs)  
• Non-genetically modified biological agents (pathogenic and non-pathogenic) 
• Human Embryonic Stem cells (hESc), Human Induced Pluripotent Stem cells (hIPc)  
• Human-sourced materials including cells, tissues, fluids, and others 
• Non-human primate materials including cells, tissues, fluids, and others 
• Select Agents and Toxins  
• Regulated biological agents 
• Infectious proteins  

As part of the biological risk assessment and management, biological containment, laboratory facilities, containment equipment, training, and security are considered for the proposed biological materials.  

The IBC reviews and approves the proposed biological hazard controls and risk mitigation measures to prevent personnel exposure, illness, and release to the environment and to prevent invalidation of experiments. 

If you have questions, contact us via biosafety@northeastern.edu.