November 2021 Newsletter
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news and resources from the Office of Research Protections
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What is the Institutional Biosafety Committee?
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The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews studies that involve modifications in nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) or synthesis of nucleic acids in the laboratory, to assure that biosafety practices are appropriate. The studies reviewed include those conducted on the bench (in vitro studies), in animals, and in human subjects.
Since Pitt receives funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), all studies involving production of new sequences of DNA (recombinant DNA) or synthesis of DNA or RNA, including the creation and use of organisms and viruses containing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, must be approved by the IBC in accordance with NIH Guidelines. Studies on vertebrate animals and human subjects also require approval by the IACUC and IRB, respectively.
Some of the latest vaccines, such as the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, are synthetic nucleic acids. Investigators are reminded that IBC approval is required for production or testing (in animals or humans) of experimental therapies that include synthesized nucleic acids.
For more information about the research requiring IBC approval, please consult the IBC website or email ibo@pitt.edu.
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The United States and its allies continue to evaluate whether additional export control restrictions are needed to share experimental COVID-19 vaccines and the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 with international laboratories.
Export control regulations are federal laws that restrict certain commodities, technologies, technical data, and defense services from being physically or electronically transmitted from the US to foreign countries, persons, or entities. The regulations prohibit the unlicensed export of certain commodities or information for reasons of national security, foreign policy, or economic interests.
Additional restrictions on the export of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are being evaluated because of the virus’s potential for nefarious use as a biological weapon. Since additional restrictions would hinder the ongoing international response to the pandemic, the U.S. and its allies have withheld specific restrictions for the moment.
The Office of Trade Compliance is monitoring the evolution of export control regulations regarding SARS-CoV-2. If you have any questions about the export of SARS-CoV-2 or other biological agents to another country, please send them to: tradecompliance@pitt.edu.
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The Office of Research Protections is pleased to welcome Christina Gasdia as the new Director of the Conflict of Interest Division. Christina comes to Pitt after having served as the Director of the COI Office at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, as well as in a leadership role in the Human Research Protection Program at Yale University.
A native of Indiana, PA, Christina attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for both her undergraduate degree (Business Technology) and her graduate degree (Student Affairs in Higher Education). Christina then relocated to Baltimore, where she worked in financial aid for several years and later attended law school at Georgetown University.
“I’m excited to be returning to western Pennsylvania and to be working at the University of Pittsburgh,” Christina says. “I hope to use my experience in conflict of interest to support and develop the excellent program that exists here. To that end, I look forward to working with our dedicated and talented students, staff, and faculty.”
Outside of work, Christina enjoys spending time with her husband and 2-year-old daughter.
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In partnership with UPMC International, the leadership of the Human Research Protection unit has been providing educational sessions to colleagues at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. The sessions are focused on composition and functions of an IRB and the responsible conduct of human subjects research.
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Pitt's annual United Way campaign is in full swing, and we’d love for you to join! Despite many of us working remotely last year, over 1,900 faculty, staff and retirees donated more than $694,500 to the Pitt United Way Campaign! Through this campaign, we strive to directly address our community’s most critical needs.
To make an online pledge that will support your passions and help families meet basic needs, please go to my.pitt.edu and search for “United Way” or email the Pitt United Way team at pittunitedway@pitt.edu. Organizers encourage you to make your pledge by December 13, 2021.
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