University of Houston Institutional Biosafety Committee Meeting Minutes

Transcription

1 University of Houston Institutional Biosafety Committee Meeting Minutes September 19, 2007 Members Present: Members Absent: Others Present: Dr. Amy Sater, Chairperson Dr. William Widger Dr. Jill Bush Dr. Jerry Johnson UH Downtown Campus Ms. Kathryn Cavender, Rice University Dr. Terry Blasdel Ms. Rosemary Grimmet Mr. Scott Patlovich, UT Health Science Center-Houston Ms. Talibah P. Young Mr. Bob Schneller Ms. Chavaun Harper LeBlanc Dr. Carlos Pedemonte Dr. Russell Lewis Ms. Lisa Benford 1. Call to Order The meeting convened at 1:05 p.m. in Room 183E of the General Services Building with Dr. Amy Sater conducting the meeting. 2. Functions of the UH Institutional Biosafety Committee The committee was briefed about occupational exposure occurrences at Texas A&M University that resulted in the suspension of Select Agent research. National attention called to this situation prompted a review by the NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities (OBA) of Texas A&M s IBC and the NIH OBA also provided a day long IBC training seminar which was attended by Ms. Harper LeBlanc. Additionally the NIH OBA Guidance for Institutional Biosafety Committee Minutes which was released in May 2007 was discussed. Subsequently IBC compliance items such as IBC member training, PI training and public announcement of meetings were discussed and unanimously agreed upon by the committee to be implemented immediately. IBC member training was conducted for all members in attendance. 3. Review of Minutes of the Previous Meeting (May 15, 2007) The Committee reviewed and approved the minutes as presented. 4. Review of New Protocols 1

2 Infection of cultured cells with adeno-associated virus vector BSL-2 An Adeno-associated virus serotype 2 viral vector containing DNA sequences for insulin-like growth factor 1 and green fluorescent proteins will be used to transfect host rat fibroblast cells (mouse NIH- 3T3 fibroblasts, Rat2 embryonic fibroblasts, rat medial collateral ligament cryo-banked primary cells). This vial vector will be created by the University of North Carolina Gene Therapy Center and transfected by the Martinez lab. This work is categorized by the NIH guidelines as III-D-1-a-4 and the risk assessment determines that be classified as BSL-2. The committee requested the insurance information be included for each person listed in Section A, the clarification of use of mouse or rat cells and that training listed in Section B be moved to Section G. Motion for approval contingent to the above clarifications. Protocol approved Routine plasmid preparation & cloning; routine mammalian cell culture BSL-2 Although the general description of how these tasks are performed, no scientific purpose was given, therefore the committee moved to table this protocol until specific research agenda could be evaluated. Motion to disapprove this protocol. Protocol disapproved. 5. Review of Amended Protocols None 6. Review of Renewal Protocols Physical Chemistry of Biomolecular recongnition BSL-1 Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed and conditionally approved pending the following: inclusion of greater detail in section B and G. Motion to conditionally approve Development of Ionic channels BSL-2 Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed and conditionally approved pending the following: inclusion of greater detail in section G, listing of host strain, and clarification of the use of neurons and species. Motion to conditionally approve this protocol. Protocol approved. 2

3 Structure determination of biologically significant macromolecules BSL-2 using X-ray crystallography Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed and approved. Motion to approve Combined treatment of maumycin A, a Farnesyltransferase inhibitor, BSL-2 with mebendazole or camptothecins for breast cancer and lung cancer therapies Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed and noted that IACUC protocol information and BSC certification information needed updating. Motion to approve this protocol. Protocol approved Standard Phlebotomy Procedures BSL-2 Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed noted that a clarification of animal needs to be included in this protocol. Motion to approve Approval = 5, Dissentions = 0, Abstentions = The Molecular Genetics of Male Courtship of Drosophila BSL-1 Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed noted that a clarification that the use of Drosophila is outside the purview of the IACUC. Motion to approve this protocol. Protocol approved Structure determination of Luciferase from Lingulodinium BSL-1 Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed noted this project will Structure determination of proteins from the hydrogenosome of BSL-1 Trichomonas vaginalis Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed noted this project will 3

4 Crystallization of structural proteins of Strepococcus pyogenes BSL-1 Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed noted his project will Complementary and Alternative medication use in patients with HIV BSL-2 Review of previously approved protocol The MUA was reviewed noted the addition of Hepatitis B vaccination and infectious substance shipping to section G. Motion to approve this protocol. Protocol approved. 7. Closed Protocols The following protocols were closed due to project completion Validation of the Meropenem Pharmacodynamic Exposure that will Suppress BSL-2 Emergence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Resistance in a Murine Pneumonia Model 8. Biosafety Manager Progress Report Comprehensive Laboratory Safety Program (CLSP) The CLSP program completed the first year of implementation. The impact on biosafety is in the increase of overall oversight on biological research and greater communication and education of staff and faculty regarding the requirements of the IBC. In consequence, all laboratories have been assessed for the presence of biological materials and recombinant DNA and a greater compliance has been achieved. Training Program Biosafety and bloodborne pathogens training continue to increase with the development of online refresher training. IBC training for investigators will also be made available on-line. Biosafety Cabinet Certification Contract The biosafety cabinet certification contract has been active in certifying BSCs with approximately 14 being performed within the last two months. 9. Ventilation Malfunction On August 31, 2007 EHRM was notified that the BSC contractor and Dr. Joe Eickberg noticed that the hard ducted BSC was positively pressured. In their investigation, exhaust fan had been removed from HSC rooftop. Upon further investigation including Plant Operations, the exhaust fan had been removed as part of preventative maintenance (PM) schedule but had not been replaced nor had the user (PI) been informed. The time between the two events is unknown. In conversations with Dr. 4

5 Eichberg he was made aware of the potential of exposure from cell culture and worker s compensation information was relayed to him which he denied. Further actions included visual indicators attached to each BSC by EHRM and policy changes by Plant Operations that include notification to EHRM and the user of any PM before it is to occur. 10. Relationship with UH-Downtown Due to the responsibilities of the IBC in reviewing an exterior component s research a discussion ensued to determine the best course of action regarding IBC compliance. Dr. Johnson welcomed the review and audit process of EHRM to the developing UHD research enterprise. The possibility of creating a UH System IBC was discussed. Research into the UH System IBC was delegated to Ms. Harper LeBlanc, Mr. Schneller and Ms. Young. 11. Other Business as Presented 12. Next Meeting Date Wednesday, December 5, Meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm 5