CRI Biosafety Sub-Committee Meeting

MEETING MINUTES

Monday, July 27, 2009

9:30 am- 1:00 pm

4th floor Biomedical Science Building

1. Biosafety guideline for rDNA from Biotech, Thailand (Yodsoi)

2. Biosafety guideline from Ministry of Agriculture, Thailand (excerpted from WHO)(Yodsoi)

3. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories from US CDC (Daam)

4. WHO biosafety manual (Mayuree)

5. Biosafety guideline from Princeton University (Piyajit)

6. Biosafety guideline from Texas University (Piyajit)

7. Radiation Safety Guideline from Office of Atoms for Peace (Sopapan)

An intranet page has been set for communication on CRI Biosafety Sub-Committee Meeting at http://www2.cri.or.th/intranet/lab/safety/biosafety.

Piyajit led the discussion on the Biosafety guideline. Most of the guidelines we looked based on CDC, NIH and WHO guidelines. We will also base our guideline on at least one of these. At the moment we use the outline of biosafety manual similar to that from Princeton University (also based on CDC and NIH). Piyajit has looked into details of introduction part and research project registration and approval. Mayuree has looked into the details of working safely with biological materials and laboratory procedures and equipments. We will start with this draft.

The organization chart Daam presented the organization chart prepared for the IACUC. Most likely, it has to be the same chart.

What projects should pass the biosafty approval? We will include projects involved rDNA since the approval of project by biosafety committee is now required by the granting agency ie NSTDA. Other possible projects that are generally included in the biosafety approval process:

• Bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or other potentially infectious agents
• Live viruses
• Human blood, other body fluids and tissue

The procedure for the approval of research project. Who will approve the project? Biosafety sub-committee proposed 2 models.

1. PI/Laboratory Head provide information of the project (Princeton use Memoradum of Understanding & Agreeement, Biotech has a form that describe the use of rDNA.). This could be submitted to Office of Research. Then office of research can distribute this form to Biosafety subcommittee. Biosafety subcommittee then reviews and gives recommendation. The recommendation then presents to Safety Committee for final approval. This model might have a problem in term of time delay since the Safety committee might not meet often.

2. Same procedure as option 1 that biosafety subcommittee will review and give recommendation. Then final approval should be made and signed by Vice President of Research. All the review project can then be processed (eg. send for finding application) and also presented to Safety Committee meeting.

Members of Biosafety Sub-committee. Senior staff (1-2) should be included in the biosafety sub-committee.

The roles and responsibilities of each key component. Especially role of Biosafety Sub-committee itself. Should Biosafety Sub-committee play a role in providing guideline or control the biosafety of CRI or both. Should we have biosafety officer (which can be the same person as the chemical safety) that will play a role in implementing biosafety measures eg conducts periodic inspection of labs using biological materials, Provides training in safe use and practices for those involved in work with potentially biohazardous materials and activities, Consults with researchers on issues of biosafety and the safe use of biological materials in the laboratory, Develops protocols and procedures to address issues of biosafety and etc.

Thai law involved biosafety. BIOTECH has a list of Thai law involved Biosafety. Should we acquire those laws so we can study and consult if need. Should we list the laws in the biosafety manual.

Waste management system. Initial discussion on the waste management system. Proper waste management should be implemented.

Radiation safety manual will be separated from the biosafety manual. However, it will be mentioned briefly in the biosafety manual.

1. Members of biosafety committee

2. The procedure for the approval of research project

3. What projects should pass the biosafty approval?

Piyajit will discuss these issues with Aj. Jutamaad and will let the members know.

Consider biosafety manual:

Each person will look into details of each part and also list the activities for the implementation plan. Also, think about the content that can be added to the manual.