Bates College is committed to insuring the safety of students, faculty and staff as they conduct or oversee research endeavors.  Years ago, the college created the Biosafety Committee to comply with federal guidelines on review of research protocols.  Members of the Biosafety Committee can be found here.

Biosafety level 2 organisms or cells or tissues, (including most human, non-human primate, or other mammalian cells) at Bates College requires approval of the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Work with Biosafety Level 3 or 4 organisms is not permitted on campus. If you are uncertain about the classification of the organisms you are working with, please check the following database:

http://www.absa.org/riskgroups/index.html

Work with recombinant DNA also requires approval from the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Even rDNA work that is exempt is expected to have an official “Exempt” letter.  Please consult this flowchart to aid with differentiating between exempt and non-exempt experiments.  The ONLY rDNA experiments that are exempt from review are rDNA molecules that are not in organisms or viruses or:

VIII‑F‑2         rDNA molecules that consist entirely of DNA segments from a single nonchromosomal or viral DNA source, though one or more of the segments may be a synthetic equivalent.

VIII‑F‑3         rDNA molecules that consist entirely of DNA from a prokaryotic host including its indigenous plasmids or viruses when propagated only in that host (or a closely related strain of the same species), or when transferred to another host by well-established physiological means.

VIII‑F-4         rDNA molecules that consist entirely of DNA from a eukaryotic host including its chloroplasts, mitochondria, or plasmids (but excluding viruses) when propagated only in that host (or closely related strain of the same species).

VIII‑F‑5          rDNA molecules that consist entirely of DNA segments from different species that exchange DNA by known physiological processes, though one or more of the segments may be a synthetic equivalent.

VIII‑F‑6        rDNA experiments that do not present a significant risk to health or the environment as determined by             the NIH Director, RAC and following appropriate notice and opportunity for public comment.
For those interested in submitting a proposal, the Institutional Biosafety Committee will be meeting  quarterly or as needed to review applications.  The Biosafety Application (also used for exempt experiments) can be found by clicking here.