Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the IBC and why does it exist?
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Who needs to fill out the MUA form?
Every faculty member conducting projects with recombinant DNA or synthetic nucleic acids and/or using BSL-2 (or higher) facilities in their teaching or research laboratories.
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How many MUA forms do I need to submit?
In general, you need to complete a MUA for each biological system you are using in your lab.
For example, if you clone genes using K-12 derived E. coli cells (e.g. DH5 alpha) and express proteins in non-K-12 derived E. coli cells (e.g. BL21), you will need to fill out two separate forms for each system. Alternatively, if you work on expressing multiple proteins within the same system (e.g. BL21 cells), you would submit one MUA.
Please reach out to the Chair of the Biosafety Committee with questions.
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Do I need to fill out every section of the MUA?
For every project you will fill out Section 1 and attach a Project Description in Section 2. However, you only need to fill out the appropriate Sections 3-5 depending on the nature of your work.
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I am having my students collect environmental samples (e.g., water, food, soil, surfances, etc.) to test the presence of microbes. Do i need to submit a course MUA?
If your coursework involves culturing environmental samples on plates, broths, or in testing kits, you will need to submit a course MUA. Per the American Society for Microbiology Guidelines for Biosafety Teaching in Laboratories “All samples containing unknown organisms (e.g., any environmental sampling), once cultured, must be handled as BSL-2.”
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What are the BSL Designations?
See here for a description of the designations and the laboratory requirements.
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How do I determine the appropriate NIH rDNA section(s) for my work?
It is best to familiarize yourself with Section III of the NIH Guidelines. However, we have put together a cheat sheet that may be helpful.
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How do I know if the E. coli strains that I work with are K-12 or K-12 derived (and therefore exempt in Section III-F)?
Please see this chart of E. coli strains.
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How often do I have to update each project MUA form?
- You will need to update the list of research students and staff on each MUA project 3 times per year – at the start of spring, summer, and fall research periods.
- You will need to resubmit the project MUA completely every 3 years.
- You do not need to add/update any students to the course MUA.
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What does it mean if I check the "exempt" box on the MUA form?
You still need to fill out the MUA form so that we have documentation of the project, but you do not have to update your list of people on the project.
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Do I need to complete the CITI training right now?
We recognize that this is a busy time for everyone, but please do the required CITI training before turning in your MUA. PIs should complete the CITI courses "Basic Introduction to Biosafety" and "Initial Biosafety Training". Please see here for additional information.
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Do my research students need to complete the CITI training right now?
If they are currently working in your research lab, please have them complete the training. If they are starting in the summer, please make sure they have completed it by the time summer research starts and you will submit your updated student researcher list. Student researchers should complete the CITI courses "Basic Introduction to Biosafety" as well as any additional modules the PI deems necessary. Please see here for additional information.
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Which CITI modules are required for students?
PIs should complete the CITI courses "Basic Introduction to Biosafety" and "Initial Biosafety Training. Students should complete the CITI course "Basic Introduction to Biosafety." Because the naming convention in the CITI site is confusing, please see here for a graphic with clarifying information.
All lab members that work with blood or blood borne pathogens must complete the CITI course OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens
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What other CITI modules might I want to require for my students?
This depends much on your specific line of work. Feel free to take a look at the different modules and assess if they may be appropriate for your research students. Other relevant modules include:
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens
- NIH Recombinant DNA Guidelines
- Laboratory Chemical Safety
- Animal Biosafety
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research
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How does one register for CITI training?
Please see the IRB website for how to register. Once you are registered you will be able to find the appropriate training modules.
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How often does CITI recertification need to take place?
All researchers (PIs and students) must complete CITI training once a year. The modules that must be completed every year are the same as the original certification.
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The MUA lists cell sorting, sonication, and centrifugation without a screw top lid specifically for aerosol producing activities, but also has a question about other procedures with potential for producing hazardous aerosols, what are some examples of procedures I should consider?
Although this is not an exhaustive list, additional potential aerosol generating procedures include:
- Pouring liquids
- Aspirating liquids
- Removing stoppers or opening snap top tubes/bottles
- Blowing out pipettes
- Flaming inoculating needles, loops, or slides
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Once cells from cell cultures are no longer intact (e.g. cell lysates), are they still considered BSL-2 agents?
If they are untransformed or untransfected cells, they are no longer considered BSL-2 agents and therefore you do not need to indicate where they are stored in our MUA. However, if you are using them for isolation or storage of rDNA, you will need to report the storage locations.
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How do I make a biosafety manual for my research laboratory?
There is a general University of Richmond Biosafety Manual that can be used as a starting set of guidelines, supplemented with information specific to your laboratory. Also, the BMBL by the CDC and other faculty members that have established biosafety manuals are excellent resources.
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Where can I find the NIH Guidelines?
You can find it in the IBC Informational Folder on Box under the Resources Folder.
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Where can I find the MUA form?
You can find it in the IBC Informational Folder on Box under the Forms to Submit Folder.
Note: It is a fillable Word document — the gray spaces are where you can type.
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Where can I find the Adverse rDNA report form?
You can find it in the IBC Informational Folder on Box under the Forms to Submit Folder.
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How do I know if I need Blood Borne Pathogen (BBP) Training?
Examples of work that require BBP training include, but are not limited to, experiments with blood, blood components, human cell lines or primate cell lines. Click here to access the document with information about work falling under the BBP standard. All members of research labs with risk of exposure to BBP must complete the CITI course OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens before starting work on the project. In addition, lab specific training must be provided by the PI.
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How do I know if I need to submit Blood Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Plan Forms?
Blood borne pathogens exposure control plan forms must be submitted with a research or course MUA if you do work that includes, but is not limited to, experiments with blood, blood components, human cell lines or primate cell lines. Click here to access the document with information about materials falling under the BBP standard.
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I work with microbes in my class or lab, but they do not have recombinant DNA in them. Do I need to submit a MUA?
If the work done with BSL-1 level microbes and does not have recombinant DNA in it, you do not need to submit an MUA. However, you must complete this form so that the IBC has documentation of this. Furthermore, the work with these microbes should be adhering to standard guidelines for working with BSL-1 microbes.
If the work involves EITHER BSL-2 (or above) microbes or unknown environmental isolates, you need to summit a course MUA and/or a research MUA for this work.
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I work with unknown microbes but do not culture them after isolation. Do I need to submit a MUA?
If the work involves unknown environmental isolates, you need to summit a course MUA and/or a research MUA for this work.
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How do I obtain minutes from IBC meetings or details of approved MUA documentation?
Please email biosafety@richmond.edu with your request. We will consult our lawyers and provide redacted materials as you have requested.
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How can I suggest a FAQ for the IBC?
Email biosafety@richmond.edu.