Institutional Biosafety Committee
It is the policy of Creighton University that any possession of and/or activity involving known or potential biohazardous materials be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Biohazardous materials subject to review by the IBC include, but are not limited, to the following:
Infectious Biological Agents
Infectious biological agents and biologically derived materials that present a risk or potential risk to the health of humans or animals, either directly through infection or indirectly through damage to the environment. Infectious agents have the ability to replicate and give rise to potentially large populations in nature when small numbers are released from controlled situations.
Recombinant DNA
The NIH Guidelines define Recombinant DNA molecules as either (i) molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell, or (ii) molecules that result from the replication of those described in (i) above. In addition, synthetic DNA segments that are likely to yield a potentially harmful polynucleotide or polypeptide (e.g., a toxin or a pharmacologically active agent) are considered as equivalent to their natural DNA counterpart.
Creighton University Institutional Biosafety Committee
The Creighton University Institutional Biosafety Committee is responsible for establishing and implementing policies that (1) provide for the safe use of biohazardous materials at Creighton University, including the possession of and conduct of research with such materials, and (2) ensure compliance with appropriate federal requirements including, but not limited to, the National Institutes of Health guidelines, the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, and Select Agents and Toxins regulations.
Members are appointed to the CU IBC by the Creighton University Institutional Office, Julie Strauss-Soukup, PhD.
Select Agents
By law, Creighton University must report all specified biological "select agents" in its possession to the government. These "select agents" are identified on the lists provided on the right by the CDC and USDA.
This policy applies to activity and research that is sponsored by the University; conducted by faculty, staff, students, or agents of the University; or conducted using the University's property, facilities, or non-public information.
Schedule of Meetings
As of July 2025, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) has transitioned to quarterly meetings. The meetings for the 2025-2026 academic year are scheduled for 2 pm on:
- 11-Jul-2025
- 10-Oct-2025
- 9-Jan-2026
- 10-Apr-2026
The Committee will call supplementary meetings as necessary for new protocols and other issues as needed throughout the year. Meetings are subject to change at the discretion and availability of the Committee Chair, staff, and members. All applications/requests and accompanying materials must be submitted to the IBC one month prior to a regularly scheduled meeting to be considered for review. Please contact the IBC Office at IBC@creighton.edu with any questions or concerns.
The IBC Policies and Procedures for the Use of Biohazardous Materials (IBC Policies) outlines the processes that must be followed when obtaining, using, storing, transferring, or destroying biohazardous materials, and provides a review of the relevant regulatory requirements. Since laboratory work can involve exposure not only to biohazardous materials, but also to chemical and radiological hazards, these policies should be used in conjunction with any pertinent University manuals (e.g., the Investigators' Manual for Laboratory Safety, the Users' Manual for Radioactive Materials).
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 5th edition (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health)
- Bloodborne Pathogens 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Occupational Safety and Health Administration )
- NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (National Institute of Health; PDF document)
- Select Agents and Toxins 42 CFR Part 73 (US Department of Health and Human Services)
- Possession, Use, and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins 7 CFR Part 331 (US Department of Agriculture)
- Etiologic Agent Import Permit Program (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Joseph A. Knezetic
Director of Research Compliance
Phone: 402.280.2511
Fax: 402.280.4766
Email: joek@creighton.edu
Shannon Walsh
Research Compliance Quality Assurance Auditor
Phone: 402.280.2322
Email: shannonwalsh@creighton.edu
Teri Prentis
IBC Administrator
Phone: 402.280.2126
Email: IBC@creighton.edu or teriprentis@creighton.edu
