IBC Policy 260 - Office of Research Compliance Responsibilities

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Last Updated: May 08, 2026, 03:43 PM

Adopted on October 16, 2025

I. Policy Purpose

This policy describes the role and responsibilities of the Office of Research Compliance (ORC) related to
the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

II. Policy Definitions

MUA refers to a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement, which is a document submitted to the IBC for review and approval of work with r/sNAs or pathogenic microorganisms.

NIH Guidelines means the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules; the set of regulations detailing safety practices and containment procedures for research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, including the creation and use of organisms and viruses containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.

r/sNAs refers to recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids. These molecules are subject to the federal NIH guidelines cited above.

Regulated Activities include any research, teaching, and/or contracted service activity with r/sNAs or biological hazards conducted by SIUC faculty, staff, volunteers, and students.

III. Policy Statement

The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) will serve as the administrative office for the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

IV. General Procedures

ORC will assist the IBC and the SIU community in the interpretation of federal, state, and University policies regarding work with r/sNAs, pathogens, and other regulated activities. ORC will fulfill the NIH reporting responsibilities, in compliance with the Guide, for the IBC and the Institutional Officer (IO). ORC will carry out activities directed by the IBC and the IO.

ORC will fulfill recordkeeping duties for the IBC. ORC personnel will schedule committee meetings, keep minutes of the meetings, publish the minutes on the SIU website, schedule and help record laboratory inspections as mandated by the NIH Guidelines. ORC will maintain records of all MUAs on a SIUC secure server. When physical documentation is required, records will be stored in locked, restricted access storage.