Location: Plant Science Research
Project Number: 5062-21500-001-009-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2022
End Date: Jun 30, 2027
Objective:
To utilize the Regents of the University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota) Institutional Biological Safety Committee (UMIBSC) to ensure compliance of United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) scientists with the National Institute of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) for the safe conduct of research employing recombinant technology, including protecting crops and livestock from pests and disease or improving the quality and safety of agricultural products, and research with biohazardous materials and toxins. The UM IBSC is under the University of Minnesota Office of the Vice President for Research.
Approach:
USDA-ARS and the University of Minnesota conduct research that employs recombinant DNA technology, synthetic nucleic acids and other potential biohazards (e.g., infectious agents, oncogenes, zoonotic pathogens, and biological toxins). To avoid conflict, ambiguity, and duplication of efforts regarding biosafety protocols, reviews, and record-keeping, USDA-ARS and the UMIBSC desire to operate under a single set of rules/ guidelines that all employees (ARS and University of Minnesota) will follow at the USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory and Plant Science Research Unit.
