University of Rhode Island - Division of Research and Economic Development

Institutional Biosafety

IRBNet

Office of Research Compliance News

IRBNet Brings Streamlined Electronic Process to URI for Submission, Review and Tracking of Research Protocols Involving Biohazardous Materials

Online submissions will begin on April 25th, 2011

Starting in April, the University of Rhode Island's Office of Research Compliance will move to a new web-based system for management of IBC submissions. We have contracted with IRBNet, an industry leader that provides an easy, user-friendly online method for researchers to submit and IBC members to review and act on proposals. IRBNet is expected to make the submission process easier and more convenient for researchers.

Investigators will submit their research protocols electronically to the board through the IRBNet system, and the online toolset will help administrators and IBC members review and act on the proposals more efficiently. Among the advantages IRBNet will provide to investigators will be the ability to track the status of protocol applications online and electronic notification of committee actions.

We will stop accepting paper and email submissions. All submissions must be through IRBNet (as of April 25th, 2011).

The Office of Research Compliance will provide more detailed information and training materials, along with a schedule of optional training workshops, as we move closer to the roll out date. Throughout the transition period, look for emails and website announcements to keep you updated on the changes.

IRBNET TRAINING

IRBNet Brown Bag Training Series

First and third Fridays of the month, 12 noon - 1 pm, Office Of Research Compliance, Research Office - Basement

Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the month, 12 noon -1 pm, Office Of Research Compliance, Research Office – Basement

IRBNet training tutorials are accessible via this link: http://www.uri.edu/research/tro/about/IRB/IRBNetTraining.pdf

If you need additional instruction URI step-by-step user guides have been created to assist researchers with each part of the IRBNet submission process. The guides are available at: http://www.uri.edu/research/tro/about/IRB/IRBNetinstructs.html

If you need further assistance please call the Office of Research Compliance at 874-4328.

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The University of Rhode Island Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews and approves research protocols involving biological materials to ensure that investigators adequately address safety issues and regulatory compliance. The IBC also oversees proposals involving any aspect of rDNA (recombinant DNA) technology. The Biosafety Committee is charged with determining that a Principal Investigator (PI) who administers, handles or uses biohazardous/carcinogenic materials, uses these materials safely. This includes the demonstration of an occupational safety and health program (for the agent used) to protect workers as well as implementation of safeguards to protect the environment. The Committee also determines that the facilities in which the work is being undertaken are appropriate and fulfill federal guidelines. The IBC works in conjunction with the University Animal Care Committee and the Office of Safety and Risk management.

IBC Meeting Schedule

Biosafety Forms

Select Agent Registration

Information about Biohazards

Related Links:

Agricultural Biotechnology/USDA

A Practical Guide to Containment-Greenhouse Research with Transgenic Plants and Microbes

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CDC Biosafety in Microbiological & Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th edition

Information Systems for Biotechnology (ISB)-A National Resource in Agribiotech Information

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH Guidelines for rDNA