Registration of Research Involving Pathogenic Microorganisms or Potentially Infectious Materials, Select Agents, and Recombinant DNA
The UMDNJ Department of Emergency Management and Occupational Health and Safety (EMOHS), on behalf of the Newark Campus Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), maintains a registry of all laboratories and personnel working with: pathogens; potentially infectious materials; human and non-human primate blood, fluids, and tissues; human cell lines; select agents and toxins; and, recombinant DNA (rDNA).
Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Services (EOHSS), a division within EMOHS, serves as the IBC Administrator and provides technical and administrative support to the Newark Campus Institutional Biosafety Committee. The IBC is responsible for reviewing recombinant DNA research to ensure compliance with National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines. The IBC is also responsible for ensuring that bio-containment practices, facilities, and training are compliant with applicable regulations and appropriate to protect the health and safety of the University community and the environment.
Principal investigators are responsible for completing the “Registration Form for Pathogen, Select Agents, and Human Cells/Tissues,” submitting it to the IBC Administrator (EOHSS), and obtaining approval from the IBC prior to beginning work. Registrations must be renewed annually, and amended when there is a change in personnel, work location, or experimental protocol. If a protocol is no longer in use, the investigators must notify the IBC Administrator.
IBC review and registration is required for all research and/or clinical laboratories that:
Administer rDNA to animals or humans
Create a new transgenic animal
Breed a transgenic animal at BSL2 and higher
Work with human or non-human primate blood, tissues, and/or other materials
Work with human cell lines
Grow, process, and/or handle pathogenic microorganisms (BSL2 and higher, as classified in the latest edition of the CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) or the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA molecules)
Grow, handle, and/or possess select biological agents and/or any quantity of toxins
Procedures for Pathogen Registration:
The completed document should both be mailed and emailed as described below:
Download the appropriate registration document in fillable PDF format:
Additional information, a registration form, and answers to frequently asked questions regarding experimental protocols involving recombinant DNA can be found at the following link:
The Newark Campus IBC and EOHSS will review each registration form with respect to safety measures, medical surveillance, shipping permit, etc. EOHSS will contact the PI if additional information is required. If all the requirements are met, the appropriate IBC members will sign the form and return a copy to the PI. These review procedures are necessary to comply with requirements of granting agencies and University laboratory safety policies.
Questions related to the pathogen registration process, whether a particular pathogen should be registered, or the registration form should be directed to
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) evaluates all animal research protocols for the use of chemical and biological agents. Questions regarding the IACUC review process can be directed to Dr.David Moscioni, IACUC Administrator, at moscioad@umdnj.eduor (973) 972-3727.
