Biological Safety

The Biological Safety Program at Georgetown ensures the safe use of recombinant DNA (rDNA), pathogenic microorganisms, and other infectious agents and toxins in research and teaching activities to eliminate or reduce the potential exposures to personnel or the environment. In addition to ensuring compliance with the federal regulations, the Biological Safety Team at Georgetown serves as a resource to investigators, staff, and students by providing training and guidance to laboratories working with hazardous biological materials.

Institutional Biosafety Committee

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is a University wide group responsible for reviewing and approving research protocols involving the use of infectious agents, recombinant DNA, and biological toxins (in accordance with CDC/NIH Guidelines). The IBC has oversight responsibility for the Biosafety Program at Georgetown University.

Applicable Policies

• GU Biological Safety Manual (PDF)
• Exposure Control Plan For Bloodborne Pathogens
• Select Toxins

Applicable Forms

• Institutional Biological Safety Committee (IBC) Protocol Submission Form (for Research Involving Biological Hazards and Toxins)
  • Instruction for the new Web-based IBC Protocol Submission Process
• Hepatitis B Vaccination Acceptance or Declination Form
• Laboratory-Specific Safety Training

Resources

• Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th Edition
• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Standard
• NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules
• American Biological Safety Association Risk Group Database