Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs), a required review board per the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules and multiple municipal ordinances and regulations, are the cornerstone of institutional oversight of biological research (including recombinant DNA). As the number of institutions involved in biomedical research and the volume of this research has increased, there is an increasingly important need for better prepared IBCs to perform the critical and difficult function of reviewing biomedical research proposals.

MSMR is offering an on-line training for prospective and new IBC administrators, biosafety officers, IBC members (including IBC community (non-affiliated) members), and public health regulators. Sessions will cover the history and structure of IBCs, the regulations and guidelines that impact IBCs, practical guidance on IBC administration, IBC protocol review and risk assessment, and incorporating the IBC into your institution’s regulatory and ethical framework.

If you are interested in this course or if you know of someone who is an IBC administrator, IBC member or is considering serving on an IBC, check out the information and registration page here.

Who should attend: Are you are a new IBC member or new to IBC administration? Do you want to get a good IBC foundation? If Yes to any of these questions, this course is also for you.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Gain an understanding of the history of ethical concerns presented by rDNA research.
Describe in detail the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules and other relevant regulations.
Discuss practical considerations for day-to-day administration of an IBC.
Develop an understanding of the IBC review process, including biological risk assessment, to ensure appropriate oversight and precautions can be implemented.
Identify strategies to effectively manage IBCs and best practices for coordination of review and oversight for research requiring review from multiple committees (i.e., research involving human subjects (IRB) and animal subjects (IACUC))

FORMAT
The program consists of five weekly webinars (approximately 1.5 hours each), study assignment, and live facilitated question and answer (Q&A) sessions with an instructor. Webinars are pre-recorded. Each week, participants watch a recorded webinar and complete the study assignment. The week will conclude with a one-half hour (Q&A) instructor-led discussion session among classmates. Participants must attend at least 3 of the live discussion sessions over the course of the five weeks. Successful completion of each weekly module (webinar plus study assignment) is required before the student progresses to the next module.

Students who satisfactorily complete all webinar/assignments and class participation (attend at least 3 live Q&A sessions) will receive an MSMR Certificate of Completion.

Course starts September 19,  2022
Live ½ hour Q&A Sessions will be offered twice per week

Dear Students,

Welcome to MSMR’s Introduction to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees course! Over the next six weeks, we will cover the basic tenets of IACUCs: history, function, composition, and responsibilities.

IACUCs operate at the intersection of ethics, law, good animal care, and good science. They are charged with assuring that the institution’s own animal use policies are followed, along with regulatory requirements at the Federal, state and local levels. The “hows and whys” of these important committees will become apparent as you complete the course readings and homework assignments.

Course Outline

The course consists of weekly:

• online reading materials
• online quizzes
• written homework assignments (submitted via email)
• discussions via video conference (Zoom)

1. Material – The link to access the online material is: https://www.msmrcourses.org/courses/introduction-to-animal-care-and-use-committees/. You will receive your personal login information in a separate email from Mark Wise (if you don’t see this email please check your spam folder.)   The course officially opens this Friday March 28th (there are no meetings and nothing is due this day),
2. Quizzes – Knowledge check quizzes appear at the end of the readings, and require a passing score to access the next chapter.  You may take these as many times as you need.
3. Homework – Homework assignments are also provided each week, and should be completed using a word processing program such as Microsoft Word. Completed homework assignments must be sent as an email attachment no later than Sunday of the following week, to msmr.iacuc@gmail.com. I will review each and return it to you with a PASS or questions to lead you to a passing grade. The first homework will be due to me on or before Sunday, April 6th.
4. Video conferences – Weekly video conference discussions are held on Tuesdays from 8-9pm, EASTERN TIME.  This is a forum for questions that you may have from the readings and space for discussion on any topics associated with your roles, IACUC function, regulations, ethics etc. *Please note that participation in at least two video conference discussion sessions is REQUIRED for course completion*. You will receive your Zoom invitation separately following this email.
   • Attendance at the first video conference on Tuesday April 1st  is required as we will be introducing ourselves and I will be providing an overview of the course and the requirements (this session will count toward the attendance requirement). This call will likely last about 30 minutes.
   • If you have a regular conflict on Tuesday nights at this time and will not be able to attend any teleconference sessions or if you cannot attend the first teleconference, please email msmr.iacuc@gmail.com as soon as possible so that we can make other arrangements for you to meet the requirements of the course.**

Please feel free to contact me with any questions throughout the course.   I look forward to meeting you soon!

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday March 28th – Course opens, NO work due, NO calls or zooms required.

Tuesday April 1st – First Zoom 8pm EST REQUIRED

Sunday April 6th – First HW due

Thank you for your participation!

Amy Kilpatrick

msmr.iacuc@gmail.com