Biosafety Program

Portland State University’s Biosafety Program and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) oversee research activities involving recombinant DNA, synthetic nucleic acids, and other potentially biohazardous materials in order to assure compliance with regulatory requirements and conformance to best practices. The IBC is an ethics review committee required by the NIH and at PSU is responsible for reviewing and approving all related biosafety research. 

Biosafety Approval & Oversight

To request approval for a proposed research study involving recombinant DNA, synthetic nucleic acids, or other potentially biohazardous materials (such as blood borne pathogens or other toxins/pathogens), investigators must submit a protocol application for review by the IBC. To help determine whether a proposed activity requires an application, please reference the following: 

• Do I Need IBC Review? 

A complete submission includes a completed Biosafety Protocol Application and a Biosafety Manual. Review typically takes about 2 weeks and requires a lab assessment performed by the Biosafety Officer (BSO). The protocol application and biosafety templates are provided below, as well as reference materials to help identify appropriate biosafety levels, decontamination procedures, etc. Completed forms must be submitted by email to [email protected]. Once approved, biosafety protocols are generally approved for three years with an annual lab assessment performed by the Biosafety Program.

Please note that investigators must check with the Biosafety Program prior to applying for external permits, licenses or authorizations to bring potentially biohazardous materials to campus, in order to ensure institutional compliance with federal regulations. Additionally, the Biosafety Program must be included on communications with external agencies and organizations concerning federal or state compliance oversight.

Application

• Biosafety Protocol Application

Biosafety Manual Template 

• BSL-1 & BSL-2 BSM Template - open and download with MS Word before completing the template

Biosafety Training

Faculty, staff and students conducting regulated biosafety research are required to complete the following trainings:

• Biosafety training via the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). Visit our Training page for specific biosafety training login and completion instructions. - CITI training must be completed within the last three years

• Best Laboratory Practices & PSU Biosafety Information. - This training document must be read every three years

• Protocol-based Lab Trainings. The PI is responsible for ensuring all faculty, staff and students working on the study are properly trained on the specifics of the protocol. - This training must occur annually. 

• Applicable trainings by EHS depending on the specific work being performed: Working Safely in the Lab (annual), Working Safely in the Field (annual), Bloodborne Pathogen (annual), and Radiation Safety. Visit the EHS Training page for specific information and registration. 

Contact Us

For additional questions related to whether your study will require Biosafety oversight or regarding the use of rsNA, Risk Group agents, biological toxins, and select agents, please contact the Biosafety Program at [email protected].