UPM Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee (UPM-IBBC)

A Biosafety Officer per college/department reviews protocols involving potentially biohazardous materials and decides to approve in their level or to submit the protocol for committee review. 

Only then will the researcher submit the reviewed protocol in IBBC Forms 1 (accomplished by the proponents/researchers) and 2 (accomplished by the laboratory manager) to the IBBC for issuance of the certificate/clearance. 

The IBBC clearance/certificate is signed by the over-all Chair of the committee once the protocol is approved.

Here are the types of researches that requires IBBC review: *

  • Human or animal blood, body fluids or tissues and other potentially infectious materials
  • Any transgenic animal or plants
  • Use of rDNA and other Genomic Editing Technologies (CRISPR Cas9)
  • Any biological agent in Risk Group 2, 3, or 4
  • Toxins (of biological origins)
  • Vectors

*Researches with PI’s affiliated in UP Manila and will be conducted in UP Manila.
*Researches with PI’s affiliated in UP Manila and will be conducted outside UP Manila.

For inquiries, you may contact the UPM IBBC Secretariat through email at ibbc.upmanila@up.edu.ph.

Submission through official electronic channel is mandatory and physical submissions are discouraged.

IBBC Forms:

UP Manila Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

  1. What is an IBBC?
    The IBBC or Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee, under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, serves as the oversight committee involving potentially biohazardous materials and activities in the University of the Philippines Manila.
  2. Who do I contact if I have questions regarding the biosafety protocol?
    Email the IBBC secretariat at ibbc.upmanila@up.edu.ph.
  3. Where do I get a protocol form?
    The protocol form is attached to the e-mail upon registration in RGAO or you can personally ask for a soft copy of it via IBBC e-mail. We do not accept protocols on expired forms, so be sure to ALWAYS use a new copy every time you submit a protocol.
  4. How long does it take to get IBBC approval?
    Protocols are reviewed at monthly IBBC meetings. It may take 1-8 weeks to get IBBC approval for an amendment or protocol.
  5. May the investigator begin laboratory work before receiving IBBC approval?
    No.
  6. May I let someone else fill out my IBBC Form 1?
    We encourage Principal Investigators to write and submit each IBBC protocol form; however, a staff member may fill out a protocol form with the permission of the Principal Investigator. The individual listed as PI must sign the assurance form, indicating full responsibility for the protocol.
  7. What is the difference between forms 1 and 2?
    The Form 1 is completed by the PI whereas the Form 2 is completed by the laboratory manager/supervisor where will your experiment take place before you submit it to the biosafety officer for review and comments.
  8. Do I need to submit the Forms 1 and 2 even if the signatories aren’t complete?
    No. The signatories should be complete before you submit the forms. Make sure that it was signed by the biosafety officer of the college where you will conduct your experiment, department chair and dean of your college.
  9. Is it acceptable to have different individuals named as PI on the grant application and the IBBC protocol?
    Yes.
  10. How long is IBBC approval of a protocol in effect?
    One year. For renewal, same procedure for protocol approval is followed.