Institutional Biosafety Committee The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is charged by Federal law with the planning and implementation of the WTAMU Biosafety Program to ensure the health and safety of all personnel working with rDNA and biohazardous agents. The IBC reviews research conducted at WTAMU for compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules and the Select Agent Rule. The IBC also drafts campus biosafety policies and procedures, and reviews individual research proposals for biosafety concerns.
The WTAMU IBC reviews research using the following materials:
• Recombinant DNA
• Human or non human primate tissue, blood or body fluids
• Select Agents or Biotoxins
• Infectious Agents
Researchers at West Texas A&M University using any of these materials need to register their research with the IBC. For further information, please review the following:
Academic and Research – Environmental Health and Safety (AR-EHS) standard operating procedure (15.99.05.W1.03AR Institutional Biosafety Committee)
Laboratory Biohazardous Use Authorization Form
If you need submission assistance or have submission questions, please contact April Swindell, Supervisor Academic Research Environmental Health and Safety: WTAMU Box 60217, Canyon, TX 79016; (806) 651-2270; aswindell@wtamu.edu or a member of the biosafety committee. Institutional Biosafety Committee Biosafety Officer: Dr. Bruce Whitney, Chief Research Compliance Officer, Texas A & M University System Chair: Dr. Doug Bingham, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering Committee Members
Dr. Carolyn Bouma, Assistant Professor of Biology, Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Mike Brown, Professor, Ruminant Nutrition, Department of Agriculture
Edward Caraway, Commercial Core Lab Manager, Department of Agriculture
Dr. Bruce Whitney, Chief Research Compliance Officer, Texas A & M University System
Ex-Officio: Chandini Revanna, Director, Academic Research Environmental Health and Safety Outside Members:
Dr. James Alexander Texas Department of State Health Services (655-7151)
Dr. Matt Richarson City of Amarillo Department of Health (351-7220) Institutional Biosafety Committee Responsibilities
From NIH Guidelines Section IV-B-2-b: - "Review recombinant DNA research conducted at or sponsored by the institution for compliance with the NIH Guidelines.....and approving those research projects that are found to conform with the NIH Guidelines."
- "Notify the Principal Investigator of the results of the Institutional Biosafety Committee's review and approval."
- "Periodically reviewing recombinant DNA research conducted at the institution to ensure compliance with the NIH Guidelines."
- "Adopting emergency plans covering accidental spills and personnel contamination resulting from recombinant DNA research."
- "Reporting any significant problems with or violations of the NIH Guidelines and any significant research-related accidents or illnesses to the appropriate institutional official and the NIH/OBA....."
IBC Federal Mandates for the Institution
Per NIH Guidelines - "As a condition for NIH funding....institutions shall ensure that research conducted at or sponsored by the institution, irrespective of the source of funding, shall comply with the NIH Guidelines." (Section 1-D)
- "(The institution must) establish and implement policies that provide for the safe conduct of ....research and to ensure compliance with the NIH Guidelines." (Section IV-B-1-a)
Per Select Agent Rule (42 CFR Part 73) - "An entity may not possess or use....receive from..., or transfer within the United States, a select agent or toxin unless such activities are conducted....in accordance with the provision of this law." (Part 73.3)
- "(it is the responsibility of the Institution to) provide information and training at the time of an individual’s initial assignment to a work area where select agents or toxins are present.....(and) provide refresher training annually." (Part 73.13)
Required Training | 
