The UC Merced IBC has been established to comply with the membership, procedure, and function requirements of Section IV-B-2 of the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.
Responsibilities
Use of biological materials is subject to oversight by the IBC to ensure regulations, guidelines, and safe practices are followed to eliminate or reduce risk of exposure to acceptable levels and comply with NIH Guidelines. This essential oversight occurs through review and approval of Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) submitted by Principal Investigators prior to initiation of research. Other IBC responsibilities are to create and enforce policies and procedures regarding the use of biohazardous materials and monitor construction and use of biohazard containment facilities.
UC Merced IBC Handbook (currently under revision)
BUA Submission Deadline and IBC Meeting Dates
BUA Submission Deadline | IBC Meeting Date |
September 5, 2025 | September 24, 2025 |
October 6, 2025 | October 29, 2025 |
November 3, 2025 | November 26, 2025 * |
December 1, 2025 | December 17, 2025 * |
* Dates marked with a "*" are subject to change due to holidays. All IBC meetings are hybrid - held in person in the EH&S Trailer (unless notified otherwise) and via Zoom. The IBC meets from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM for all the listed meeting above unless stated otherwise.
If there is a month where there is no IBC meeting, all BUAs that were submitted will be reviewed at the next IBC meeting.
When possible and consistent with protection of privacy and proprietary interests, the Institutional Biosafety Committee meetings are open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please contact biosafety@ucmerced.edu for more information.
Committee Composition
Voting members:
Committee Chair(s):
UC Merced Members:
Community Members:
Ex officio, non-voting members:
Agendas and Meeting Minutes
The monthly IBC meeting agenda is distributed to the committee approximately seven days before the meeting date. The draft minutes from the previous month are distributed on the same date.
As of June 1, 2025, the NIH requires all NIH-funded institutions to post approved meetings minutes for public viewing. All minutes must be posted publicly for a minimum of 5 years. All approved meeting minutes are accessible to view only via this Box folder and will be uploaded within 14 business days after receiving IBC approval at a full IBC meeting.
Please reach out to biosafety@ucmerced.edu with any questions.