Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Recombinant DNA
Non-Recombinant DNA
The IBC is responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance as well as review and approval of all research projects that involve recombinant DNA materials. Carnegie Mellon is actively committed to preserving the health and safety of its students, staff, and faculty, and to protecting the environment and the community. It is recognized that use of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and organisms containing recombinant DNA is necessary in many Carnegie Mellon research and teaching laboratories. To ensure the safe handling of these organisms, Carnegie Mellon requires that all research involving rDNA or hazardous biological materials or toxins conducted at Carnegie Mellon shall be conducted in accordance with federal and state laws.
Recombinant DNA
Please use this rDNA application form (see Helpful Links) for registering a new project, modifying an existing project or renewing a current project approval.*You will need to enable macros in order to use this form. Please contact our Biological Safety Officer with any questions.
Please complete this exemption form (see Helpful Links) to request an exemption from the NIH guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA (rDNA) Molecules.*You will need to enable macros in order to use this form. Please contact our Biological Safety Officer with any questions.
Non-Recombinant DNA
Biological Materials Registration
Carnegie Mellon University requires that all work involving biological materials classified as Biological Safety Level 2 (BSL-2) or higher be registered with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for completing this registration document which will then be reviewed by the IBC and, on approval, will be valid for a period of two (2) years. The PI is also responsible for notifying the Biological Safety Officer (BSO) when any changes are anticipated.
For information regarding BSL determination and the principles of biosafety please visit the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories website.
If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Lawson, BSO at (412) 268-8405 or via email at alawson@andrew.cmu.edu.
Note: This form is to be used for research that DOES NOT involve recombinant DNA molecules.
To register your non-RDNA materials, please use the Biological Materials Registration Form (see helpful links on the right).