The University of Scranton (white text)

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

In compliance with federal regulations and guidelines, all research involving possible exposure to infectious agents (i.e., biohazardous materials) and recombinant DNA molecules must be registered with, reviewed and approved by the University's Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

 The purpose of The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules is to specify practices for constructing and handling recombinant DNA molecules and organisms and viruses containing recombinant DNA molecules. Revised regulations were issued by the NIH in January 2011.  Copies of the federal guidelines are available at the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs - 4th Floor O'Hara Hall.

Meeting Schedule

Current Members

IBC Committed Members

                                             Academic Year 2021-2022

​
Paul Cutrufello, Ph.D., Chair Health and Human Performance
John Arnott, Ph.D.* Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Michael Baltrusaitis Public Safety - Cocciardi & Associates
Rev. Timothy Cadigan, S.J., Ph.D. Biology
Bryan Crable, Ph.D. Biology
Ashley Driver, Ph.D. Biology
Michael Landram, Ph.D. Health and Human Performance
David Marx, Ph.D. Associate Provost Academic Affairs
Charles Penn* Sanofi-Pasteur
*External Representative

Biosafety Registration/Review

The   Institutional Biosafety Committee Safety Manual  lists the University of Scranton Biosafety policies as approved by the University of Scranton Faculty Research Committee.  It is intended primarily for principal investigators (PIs), but it can also be a useful resource for University of Scranton teaching faculty, staff and students, and any non-University personnel who work in campus facilities.  These policies are designed: (a) to maintain a safe working environment by protecting persons from exposure to infectious agents and organisms containing recombinant DNA; (b) to prevent environmental contamination; (c) to comply with federal regulations.

It is anticipated that most research conducted at the University will fall into categories which are exempt from review according to the NIH guidelines. However, all biohazardous materials research should be registered with the IBC using the   New Investigator Registration Sheet  which the committee has developed. One signed hard copy of this completed document should be submitted to the IBC, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, IMBM 200.  An electronic version of the document should be sent to Dr. Paul Cutrufello at  paul.cutrufello@scranton.edu. 

The   Application to use Human Blood, Blood Products, Body Fluids or Tissues in Teaching Laboratory  is used to provide the IBC with the information it needs to review and evaluate laboratory exercise, to ensure that the procedures are consistent with University Biosafety Policy and to ensure that faculty, staff and students are properly trained to work with and/or are protected from exposure to biohazardous materials in the media of human blood, blood products, body fluids or tissues. 

The   Application to use Biohazardous Material in Teaching Laboratory  is used to provide the IBC with the information it needs to review and evaluate exercises, to ensure that the procedures are consistent with the University Biosafety Policy and to ensure that faculty, staff and students are properly trained to work with and/or are protected from exposure to biohazardous materials.

The   Application to use Recombinant DNA in Teaching Laboratory  is used to provide the IBC with the information it needs to review and evaluate laboratory exercises, to ensure that the procedures are consistent with the University Biosafety Policy and to ensure that faculty, staff and students are properly trained to work with and/or are protected from exposure while experimenting with recombinant DNA.

One signed hard copy of a completed application and an electronic version of the document should be sent to Dr. Paul Cutrufello at   paul.cutrufello@scranton.edu.

CITI Training

This online training program is offered to the University of Scranton community through a contract with the CITI (Collaborative IRB Training Initiative) program. Click here for further information regarding required training.

Contact

Questions related to a specific IBC protocol may be directed to the IBC Chair, Dr. Paul Cutrufello, at paul.cutrufello@scranton.edu

© 2024 University of Scranton

Scroll to Top