Date: October 30, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Quorum: Met
Call to Order: The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Minutes from September 25, 2025, were approved as written.
Protocols Reviewed
Title: “Research studies on Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV)”
NIH Guidelines: Sections III-D-1a; III-D-4b; III-F-8, Appendices C1 and C2.
Meeting Comments: The project aims to characterize CSFV strains and develop molecular diagnostic tools. The research involves producing antibodies, analyzing viral genomes through next-generation sequencing, and assessing the pathogenicity of different strains. In addition, potential vaccine candidates will be evaluated. The project does not meet DURC/P3CO criteria, and appropriate biosafety procedures and mitigation plans are in place.
- Please add the cell lines used in the study.
- Please remove the “+” from BSL-3+.
- Please ensure the SOPs for safety and security are included in the Laboratory Biosafety Manual and check the corresponding box.
- Provide details to prevent the agent from being shed during transportation. For ABSL-3, please provide information about the process for bagging carcasses, transporting them out of the necropsy room, storing the carcasses, and surface decontamination of the bags.
Title: “Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD): Epidemiology and Development of Vaccine for White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Cattle (Bos taurus).”
NIH Guidelines: Sections III-D-1a; III-D-4b; III-F-8, Appendices C1 and C2.
Meeting Comments: The project aims to develop recombinant EHDV subunit vaccines and diagnostic tests. It will also continue to establish EHDV challenge models and evaluate vaccine efficacy. The project does not meet DURC/P3CO criteria, and appropriate biosafety procedures and mitigation plans are in place.
- Please spell out “ad libitum.”
- Question 60.150 states “only transmitted by biting midges,” while this answer notes that “transmission of the virus mostly occurs through insect vectors.” Please review both responses for consistency and harmonization.
- Please provide details on the transportation of animals to the necropsy site, including measures to prevent potential shedding of the agent during transport.
- Please change “10% bleach” to “10% household bleach.”
- Please clarify whether the sharps container will be handled by EH&S.
Title: “Development of Live-vectored African Swine Fever Virus Subunit Vaccine Candidates”
NIH Guidelines Sections III-D-4b, III-F-8, Appendices C-I and C-II.
Meeting Comments: This modification aims to include the use of WSL and WSL-Cas9 cell lines, apply CRISPR-Cas9 for ASFV genome editing, and generate lentiviruses expressing ASFV antigens. The project does not meet DURC/P3CO criteria, and appropriate biosafety procedures and mitigation plans are in place.
- Please explain whether the planned genetic modifications could increase the virulence, pathogenicity, or resistance of ASFV.
Other Business: November and December meeting dates and update on the modification of protocol ID-1774.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 a.m.