Date: September 25, 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 9:00 a.m.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Minutes from August 28, 2025, were approved as written.
Protocols Reviewed
Title: “Functional genomics of Babesia parasites”
NIH Guidelines Section III-D-1-a, Appendix G-II-B-2.
Meeting Comments: The project aims to use a gene editing system to study essential gene functions in Babesia parasites. It also seeks to identify and characterize exported proteins and the molecular machinery required for protein export. The project does not meet DURC/P3CO criteria, and appropriate biosafety procedures and mitigation plans are in place.
- Please uncheck the box for human blood, and check the box for human cells, instead.
- Room security should be updated to reflect limited access (badge or key), and storage security should be updated to reflect locks on freezers, etc.
- Please specify that the 10% household bleach solution will be prepared fresh daily.
Title: “Serological studies on Guinea worm diagnostic candidates in dogs”
NIH Guidelines Section III-D-1-a, Appendix G-II-B-2.
Meeting Comments: The project aims to characterize the immune response of dogs to Guinea worm antigens in order to support the development of serological diagnostic methods. The study will also evaluate potential cross-reactivity using clinical samples. The project does not meet DURC/P3CO criteria, and appropriate biosafety procedures and mitigation plans are in place.
- Please explain a little further the meaning of patent gastrointestinal infections.
- The phrase: "If the genes are essential, this would make them weaker.”, is unclear, as it does not specify whether all of the genes are essential. Please revise the statement to clarify whether you mean all of the genes, some of the genes, or only certain genes.
- Room security should be updated to reflect limited access (badge or key), Storage security should be updated to reflect locks on freezers, etc.
- Please clarify whether the surgical materials will be autoclaved after disinfection. Additionally, please specify that the 10% household bleach solution will be prepared fresh daily.
Title: “Development and evaluation of porcine reproductive and respiratory (PRRS) virus vaccines”
NIH Guidelines Sections III-D-4b, III-F-8, Appendices C-I and C-II.
Meeting Comments: This protocol objectives are to develop inactivated and recombinant PRRSV vaccines and to evaluate live attenuated virus vaccines against heterologous strains. The project does not meet DURC/P3CO criteria, and appropriate biosafety procedures and mitigation plans are in place.
- Please add the cell lines and bacterial vectors in this section.
- Please include a statement indicating that a modification will be submitted if a new permit is required.
- In the last paragraph, please update URCO to ORICS.
- Please delete the reference to Highly virulent.
- Please update the response to determine whether the IACUC protocol has already been approved.
- If necropsy procedures are planned, please specify the location where they will be conducted.
- Please update “BSL-2” to “ABSL-2” in these sections.
- Please remove the references to HP PRRSv and the BSL-3 laboratory space. If the research group plans to resume work with this agent, a modification should be submitted.
Other Business: none.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 a.m.