Research Involving Biohazardous Materials
In order to receive continuing support from the National Institute for Health (NIH), we are required to provide bio-safety review and oversight for research involving recombinant DNA.
When we receive NIH funding for research involving recombinant DNA molecules, we must follow the provisions set forth in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines).
Compliance with these guidelines is critical to insure the safe conduct of research and fulfillment of our institutional commitment to protect staff, the environment, and public health.
On behalf of Florida Institute of Technology, the principal investigator (PI) is responsible for compliance with all NIH regulations contained in the guidelines. The PI should first determine if their experiments are covered by the NIH guidelines or are exempt from them.
If the experiments are covered by the guidelines the PI should complete the Recombinant DNA Registration Form and comply with all guidelines and applicable campus policies and procedures.
According to NHI guidelines for research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, the Principal Investigator shall:
Section IV-B-7-a-(1)
Initiate or modify no recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research which requires Institutional Biosafety Committee approval prior to initiation (see Sections III-A, III-B, III-C, III-D, and III-E, Experiments Covered by the NIH Guidelines) until that research or the proposed modification thereof has been approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee and has met all other requirements of the NIH Guidelines;
Section IV-B-7-a-(2)
Determine whether experiments are covered by Section III-E, Experiments that Require Institutional Biosafety Committee Notice Simultaneous with Initiation, and ensure that the appropriate procedures are followed;
Section IV-B-7-a-(3)
Report any significant problems, violations of the NIH Guidelines, or any significant research-related accidents and illnesses to the Biological Safety Officer (where applicable), Greenhouse/Animal Facility Director (where applicable), Institutional Biosafety Committee, NIH OSP, and other appropriate authorities (if applicable) within 30 days. Reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Section IV-B-7-a-(4)
Report any new information bearing on the NIH Guidelines to the Institutional Biosafety Committee and to NIH OSP (reports to NIH OSP shall be sent to the Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health, preferably by e-mail to: NIHGuidelines@od.nih.gov; additional contact information is also available here and on the OSP website (www.osp.od.nih.gov).
Section IV-B-7-a-(5)
Be adequately trained in good microbiological techniques;
Section IV-B-7-a-(6)
Adhere to Institutional Biosafety Committee approved emergency plans for handling accidental spills and personnel contamination; and
Section IV-B-7-a-(7)
Comply with shipping requirements for recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (see Appendix H, Shipment, for shipping requirements and the Laboratory Safety Monograph for technical recommendations).