The purpose of the Illinois State University Biosafety Program is to protect the faculty, staff and students from exposure to biohazardous materials. Illinois State University is taking precautionary measures to guard against the release of biohazardous materials that may harm humans, animals, plants or the environment.
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) develops, reviews, and updates guidelines describing standard procedures for the use of biohazards. IBC also wants to protect the integrity of experiment being conducted at the University. The Institutional Biosafety Committee will see that the proper training resources are available along with making sure that medical surveillance, hazard identification, and recordkeeping are being utilized in the laboratories. The IBC will review resources within the laboratory for safety compliance. All research will be reviewed by Research Ethics and Compliance that involves biohazards, regardless of its source of financial support. All research must be approved by the IBC and must conform to the IBC policies and procedures.
NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
Biosafety and Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition
Submitting a Biosafety Protocol
For all first-time users of Cayuse, please fill out this form.
All protocol submissions must be submitted using the Cayuse Hazard Safety system.
How to Submit an IBC Protocol Online
Continuing Review - An annual review of all protocols is required by NIH for the first two years after initial or de novo approval. Complete the renewal submission to the initial protocol in Cayuse Hazard Safety at least 30 days prior to the expiration date.
De Novo Review - A triennial review of all protocols is required. Complete the de novo submission to the initial protocol in Cayuse Hazard Safety at least 90 days prior to the expiration date.
Amendment Submission - Any revisions to an already approved protocol need to be submitted as an amendment to the initial protocol in Cayuse Hazard Safety.
Use the amendment feature to submit adverse event reports. Adverse events can also be reported to the IBC Chair.
Biosafety Training
Principal Investigators (PI) and associated lab workers included in a biosafety protocol must complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training. Training must be completed prior to performing any research or work activities covered under a research protocol. CITI training is available to all ISU faculty, staff, and students so if anyone would like to take training regardless of whether a protocol is necessary, it is available.
If you are affiliated with the University and have access through Central Login, visit the ISU Research Training Courses website. Click on the link for each biosafety course that is applicable to your training needs.
If you are not affiliated with ISU and need to register for CITI training, visit the ISU Research CITI Training Initial Registration for Individuals Not Affiliated with Illinois State University website.
Most modules take about 10–30 minutes to complete. Each module has a short quiz which require 80% to pass. You can start and stop modules at any time and your progress will be saved. Refresher training will be required every five years and re-training can be assigned if the Committee or Chair determine there is a need.
Once a course is completed, you may print out your own completion report and individual certificates from the My Records section. PIs are not able to pull reports for their lab workers so please ensure PIs are provided with proof of completion as training certificates must be uploaded to Cayuse Hazard Safety for new protocols or personnel amendments.
Undergraduate student workers are not required to complete CITI training under the conditions that they are constantly supervised by a trained employee and have completed and signed the Agreement to Adhere to Lab Safety Policies and OHS Training and Awareness Form.
IMPORTANT: Training documentation for all lab staff including but not limited to CITI Certificates and the Agreement to Adhere to Lab Safety Policies and OHS Training and Awareness Form must be kept on file by the PI or faculty/staff member and be made available upon request.