Biosafety Program
SDSU is responsible for ensuring that recombinant DNA research or experiments involving biological materials
or potentially hazardous materials are conducted in compliance with the
NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines)
and the
CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories
guidelines to promote safe and responsible practices. On behalf of SDSU, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
reviews research for this purpose. The IBC is a committee of the University Research Council appointed by the Vice
President for Research. Graduate and Research Affairs' Division of Research Affairs provides administrative support
to the IBC. The IBC membership is determined based on federal guidance and includes a biosafety officer, an animal
expert, scientists, and private citizens.
Principal Investigators using biohazardous materials or conducting
experiments involving recombinant DNA in their laboratories must obtain approval from the IBC. To initiate this process,
the investigator must complete a
Biological Use Authorization (BUA)
Form. The BUA may be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Officer (IBO) for BL-1 experiments.
The IBO and the IBC will review research involving BL-2 or BL-3 experiments.
For information regarding SDSU's
Biosafety Program please visit
SDSU Department of Environmental Health and Safety,
for Institutional policies see the SDSU Biosafety Manual,
or contact the Institutional Biosafety Officer (BSO), Millie Tran (mdizon@mail.sdsu.edu or (619) 594-2865.
For information specific to the Institutional Biosafety Committee, contact Graduate and Research Affairs'
Division of Research Affairs (619-594-0905 or ibc@mail.sdsu.edu).
Information for IBC Members