RESEARCH COMPLIANCE COMMITTEES
Protocol Review Application Information
Please be advised that all research proposals submitted by Texas Southern University’s
(TSU) research faculty, research staff and graduate students that involve the use
of animal models, human subjects, recombinant DNA, and/or radioactive isotopes must
be approved by the respective University Research Compliance Committee (URCC).
Principal Investigators may refer to TSU policies and procedures for the use of
animals, humans, radioisotopes and recombinant DNA in research. The investigator
may contact the Office of Research - Department of Research Enhancement and Regulatory
Services (DRERS) Director/staff or the respective committee chairs for an authoritative
decision and/or advice on the application of the federal regulations and TSU policies.
The completion of applications and/or relevant forms and approval of protocols by
the respective committee is mandatory and should be done before the submission of
proposals to funding agencies, and before the implementation of any research project
involving the use of human subjects, animal models, radiation or recombinant DNA.
Hence, it is imperative that the appropriate application and/or forms are completed
and submitted to the committees well in advance of rigid deadlines. Applicants
should submit their applications one month in advance of scheduled committee meeting
dates to allow ample time for the review process and approval notification. In
cases where it is not clear whether the study requires committee review the DRERS
or the respective committee may ask the investigator to send a memorandum by e-mail
or hard copy detailing the proposed activity. In complicated cases, the DRERS or
respective committee may ask the investigator to complete an application.
The Department of Research Enhancement and Regulatory Services has implemented the
TOPAZ Technology electronic system for the protocol submission, review, and approval
processes for the Committee for Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) and the Institutional
Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Therefore, all faculty, staff and students
who are currently or are planning to use animals or human subjects must log on to
submit their applications to the IACUC or CPHS. The DRERS communicates the decision
of all research compliance committees to the investigator via the TOPAZ electronic
management system, hard copy and/or email. For inquiries regarding the use of the
TOPAZ system investigators should contact Tequerio Banks, Project Coordinator for Research Compliance at Larkins_ts@tsu.eduor at 713-313-4301. To obtain a password for electronic protocol submission, investigators should
email Mrs. Banks the request with their full name including the middle initial,
contact phone number, email address and department.
The following links contain reference guides for instructions on how to use the
online TOPAZ application system for the use of animal and human subject research;
and the application forms for the use of radioactive isotopes and recombinant DNA. Investigators
may also find the policies, procedures, training manuals, safety manuals, other
support forms and relevant information for the respective committees in the links:
TOPAZ Website and Quick Reference Guide:
| Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) |
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Texas Southern University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Program's assigned
Assurance Number is A3897-01. The IACUC oversees the use of laboratory animals for research or instructional
purposes and it evaluates all aspects of the institution's animal care and
use program. Each institution that receives Public Health Service (PHS) support
for activities involving vertebrate animals is subject to the authority of the
Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and must operate an animal care and use program with
clear lines of authority and responsibility. The program includes:
- a properly constituted and functioning Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
(IACUC);
- procedures for self monitoring;
- an adequate veterinary care program
- an occupational health and safety program
- a personnel training program
- an environment, housing and management program for animals;
- appropriately maintained facilities for housing and support.
Procedures and Guidelines
Protocol Submissions
Helpful Links
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| Chemical and Biological Safety Committee (CBSC) |
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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.
Documents And Forms
Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms
Helpful Links
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| Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) |
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Texas Southern University's Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS)
assigned Federal Wide Assurance Number is FWA00003570 . Human Subjects Protection Training. The purpose of the CPHS is to review research
proposals involving human subjects and to ensure that proper precautions will
be taken to ensure the safety and rights of participants. Such review is intended
to emphasize the important role of ethics in conducting research as well as
to protect the participants, researchers, faculty advisors', and the university
against potential risks and liabilities.
Human Subject Protection Training
Human Subject Protection Training is REQUIRED for all investigators conducting research involving human subjects, human derived
materials, or human derived data regardless of the funding or non-funding source by
the Protecting Human Research Training Site. Certificates are only valid for two years.
Procedures and Guidelines
Protocol Submissions
Helpful Links
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| Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) |
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The Texas Southern University Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) collectively assumes
responsibility from the standpoint of radiological safety for the University involving
radioactivity or radiation-producing devices. The Committee reviews and approves
applications for Radioactive Material License (or License Renewal), and amendments
to the radioactive materials license to be submitted to the Texas Bureau of Radiation
Control. The committee reviews and grants permission or disapproves the use
of radioactivity or radiation producing devices within Texas Southern University,
the Committee reviews and prescribes special conditions, requirements and restrictions
that will be necessary to protect TSU personnel and the general population
from health hazards associated with radioactivity and radiation producing devices
located at Texas Southern University, including but not restricted to accelerators,
reactors and x-ray devices. Such condition requirements and restrictions shall
be made in accordance with State, Federal and City regulations. The committee
prepares and disseminates information on radiological protection and provides
training for the use and guidance of staff and students, the committee reviews
and approves the Radiation Safety Manual. When and where necessary the Committee
has the authority to form a Radiation Subcommittee to develop and propose amendments
to the Radiation Safety Manual as deemed required.
Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms
Helpful Links
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