Why do we have Mandatory Training?
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the University Research Compliance Office (URCO) have developed online training modules for personnel conducting research using infectious agents, or recombinant DNA (rDNA) at Kansas State University. The modules are largely based on information found in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 4th Edition, and The NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules. For in-depth guidance and information about biosafety, please consult the BMBL in its entirety at http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/bmbl4/bmbl4toc.htm, or the NIH Guidelines at http://oba.od.nih.gov/rdna/nih_guidelines_oba.html, for comprehensive regulatory information about use of recombinant DNA and gene transfer.
It is the responsibility of the institution to provide adequate training and oversight for researchers who use infectious agents and/or rDNA at KSU. The IBC performs the oversight function by reviewing proposed activities, and approving Registration Documents for using infectious agents and/or rDNA. The implementation of the IBC training modules addresses the institutional training requirement.
All personnel listed in the IBC Registration Document as proposing to work with infectious agents and/or rDNA at KSU, must complete the applicable training modules prior to final IBC approval of the project. The training modules must be completed only once. Upon completion, the URCO will issue a Certificate of Completion of Training, and maintain a permanent record of training in our database.
There are currently five IBC Training Modules. Depending on the agent in use, a combination of Training Modules may be required prior to final approval of the IBC Registration Document by the IBC.