BioSafety Committee (BSC)

Texas Southern University's bIOSafety Committee (BSC) purpose is to specify practices for construction and handling: recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules, and organisms and viruses containing recombinant DNA molecules.

Recombinant DNA molecules are defined as either molecules that are constructed outside living cells by joining natural or synthetic DNA segments to DNA molecules that can replicate in a living cell, or molecules that result from the replication of those described above.

Synthetic DNA segments which are likely to yield a potentially harmful polynucleotide or polypeptide (e.g., a toxin or a pharmacologically active agent) are considered as equivalent to their natural DNA counterpart. If the synthetic DNA segment is not expressed in vivo as a biologically active polynucleotide or polypeptide product, it is exempt from the NIH guidelines. Genomic DNA of plants and bacteria that have acquired a transposable element, even if the latter was donated from a recombinant vector no longer present, are not subject to the NIH guidelines unless the transposon itself contains recombinant DNA. 

Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms

•  Biosafety Registration Form (Word)
• Biosafety Manual (Word)

Helpful Links

• Office of Biotechnoloy Activities (OBA)
• NIH Guidelines for Recombinant DNA Molecules Research
• Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee
• Genetic Modification Clinical Research Information System (GeMCRIS)
• Institutional Biosafety Committee
• DNA Interactive
• Recombinant DNA Media Center
• Recombinant DNA Technology Video
• Workshops, Safety Symposia and Policy Conferences