Purpose

This policy describes the composition of the UCLA Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) as well as quorum requirements in order to ensure compliance with Section IV-B-2 of the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (current version).

Committee Composition

During IBC meetings, all individuals present with regular voting status can vote on a given protocol; however, of this group of voting members, the individuals listed below should be present when applicable (these circumstances are noted below). One individual with expertise in multiple fields can count towards multiple quorum requirements. Additionally, alternate members may be selected to vote in the absence of a regular voting member. The Chairperson will make the determination if a sufficient amount of expertise is present to proceed with protocol review.

  • Biological Safety Officer: The Biological Safety Officer will be a voting member of the IBC. Quorum Requirement: The Biological Safety Officer or alternate voting member of the Biosafety Department should be present at every meeting.
  • Chairperson: The IBC will have a Chairperson who is also a voting member. Quorum Requirement: The Chairperson or a Vice-Chairperson must be present at every meeting.
  • Non-affiliated members: At least two members will not be affiliated with UCLA (apart from their membership on the IBC). These members should represent the interest of the surrounding community with respect to health and protection of the environment (e.g., officials of state or local public health or environmental protection agencies, members of other local governmental bodies, or persons active in medical, occupational health, or environmental concerns in the community). Quorum Requirement: At least one non-affiliated member should be present at every meeting.
  • Plant research expert: The IBC will include at least one individual with expertise in plant biotechnology, specifically in addressing biosafety concerns related to plant research. Quorum Requirement: This individual should be present when research involving plants is reviewed.
  • Animal containment expert: The IBC will include at least one scientist with expertise in animal containment principles. Quorum Requirement: This individual should be present when research involving animals is reviewed.
  • Human gene therapy expert: The IBC will include members with adequate expertise and training in research involving human subjects. A member of the UCLA IRB will also be available to review human gene therapy protocols. Quorum Requirement: This individual should be present when human gene therapy protocols are reviewed.
  • Other expertise: In order to ensure the competence necessary to review and approve various protocols, the UCLA IBC will also: (i) include persons with expertise in recombinant DNA technology, biological safety, and physical containment; (ii) include or have available as consultants individuals who are knowledgeable in institutional commitments and policies, applicable laws, standards of professional conduct and practices, community attitudes, and the environment; and (iii) include at least one member representing the laboratory technical staff.

In all cases, the Chairperson will make the determination if a sufficient amount of expertise is present to proceed with protocol review.

Quorum Size

  • A quorum must be met for all matters that require a formal vote, including approval of applications and new or revised policies, as well as ratification of items approved via the Designated Member Review process.
  • For meetings of the Full Committee, a quorum will consist of five members. Alternate voting members may count towards this quorum if the individual they are voting for is absent. This quorum should include the individuals listed above, when applicable.

Approved 12/15/11; Revised 11/13/13, 8/27/14