Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) and Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) Institutional Biosafety Committees

  
 

Mission

  
  To ensure that all activities involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids conducted at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) and the Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC)and their respective Directorates comply with the most current guidelines outlined in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) by providing guidance, oversight and review.  
 

Vision

  
 

​To promote a culture of responsible research that protects the health and safety of the community and the environment.

  

 

 

Overview of the Institutional Biosafety Committee 

  
  NIH Guidelines mandate the establishment of an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) by all institutions that receive NIH funding for research involving recombinant/synthetic nucleic acids. Therefore, if an institution receives ANY funds from NIH for research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, then ALL projects conducted at or sponsored by that institution must comply with the NIH Guidelines. WRAIR policy #77 provides an overview of the requirements for IBC review and oversight by all WRAIR and NMRC IBCs. 
 
All work that falls under the categories listed below MUST be registered with one of listed IBCs in accordance with the NIH Guidelines and applicable institutional policies. Any exemptions granted in accordance with the guidelines will be issued a formal exemption by the Chair.
  • Generation or use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids (i.e. anything that can replicate in a living cell such as plasmids.)
  • Generation of use of recombinant organisms. Examples include non-wild-type bacteria, viruses, arthropods, animals, plants, etc. that have been genetically manipulated (e.g. insertion/deletion of genes, transformed/transfected with plasmids), including genome editing (e.g. Viral vectors, CRISPR, TALENS, Zn fingers)
  • Research involving transgenic animals & microorganisms
  • High volume cultures (≥10 L in a single vessel)
At the present time, WRAIR does not conduct the following types of research: 
  • Research requiring BSL 4 containment
  • Research requiring the use of biological select agents and toxins (BSAT)
  • Dual use research of concern (DURC)
Below are the IBCs overseeing WRAIR and NMRC projects. Work involving the abovementioned categories should be registered with the IBC overseeing that respective site. Contact your overseeing IBC for additional guidance, if necessary.
  • WRAIR-NMRC IBC
  • NMRC-Frederick IBC
  • Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS) IBC
  • United States Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) IBCs,
  • NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Programme NIMR-MMRP /MHRP
  • Polana Caniço Health Research and Training Center (CISPOC) Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS) / MHRP
  • Uganda Virus Research Institute / MHRP
  • Walter Reed Program-Nigeria Clinical Research Centre (CRC) / MHRP