About IBBC

IIUM IBBC (Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee) is responsible to oversee research and teaching that deals with Living Modified Organism (LMO), infectious and potentially infectious agent/materials and biological toxins. It is formed with the objective of protecting humans particularly the IIUM community and the environment from the harm of activities related to the biological agents. It is also formed partly because of following the government requirement to adhere to the Biosafety Act 2007, Biosafety (Approval and Notification) Regulation 2010 and other related regulations. IIUM IBBC was registered with National Biosafety Board (NBB) on 9th September 2015.

The IBBC is composed of members who are appointed by the Rector. Members should represent the organisation and may include representatives from the community at large. Members will collectively have experience and expertise in LMO/recombinant DNA (rDNA), infectious and potentially infectious agents/materials and biological toxins research and the capability to assess the safety of research involving LMO/rDNA, infectious and potentially infectious agents/materials and biological toxins, and identify any potential risk to public health, animal and plant health or the environment posed by such research.

The IBBC comprises of:

1. Chairman
2. Biosafety officer
3. Members

The functions of IIUM IBBC include but are not limited to the following:

1. Providing guidance for safe use of biotechnology
2. Monitoring activities dealing with biotechnology
3. Establishing and monitoring the implementation of policies and procedures for the purpose of handling LMO, infectious and potentially infectious agent materials and
biological toxins
4. Determining the classes of Biosafety Levels (BSL) for contained use activity for the
purpose of biotechnology research and development undertaken within a facility
where the IBBC is established.