A new biosafety committee, the Macquarie University Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is now operating at the University. The committee offers a single biosafety point of contact for staff, students and researchers, as well as a streamlined approval process for working with biological agents.
The new committee commenced on 1 January 2016 and replaced the Biohazards Committee and the previous IBC.
The changes to the approval process for working with biological agents are:
- Work involving biohazardous materials classified as risk group 1 has changed to a notification process.
- Work involving genetically modified organisms, security sensitive biological agents, risk group 2 and above microorganisms and materials requiring quarantine approval are referred to the IBC for review. Work is not to commence until IBC approval is received.
The IBC conducts three face-to-face meetings throughout the year and agenda items may be submitted for consideration at the next scheduled meeting (date to be determined).
Institutional Biosafety Committee members
- Associate Professor Subramanyam Vemulpad, Chair, Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Professor Robert Willows, Deputy-Chair, Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Professor Brian Atwell, Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Dr Mariana Brocardo, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Dr Konsta Duesing, External Member, CSIRO
- Dr Robyn Gentle, Macquarie Animal Research Services
- Ms Ann-Marie Heinrich, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
- Ms Marita Holley, Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Ms Elsa Mardones, Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Professor Helen Rizos, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Dr Jeremy Thorp, External member, Data61
- Dr Quach Truong, External member, Minomic
- Dr Liette Vandine, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Visit Gene Technology and Biosafety for further information regarding approval processes, application forms, management of approved projects, training, containment facilities and relevant government authorities. All forms are submitted to biosafety@mq.edu.au.
Research applications are reviewed through an online expedited process between 1 February and 30 November.