If you are interested in presenting at this meeting or have a topic you would like to learn more about – We are particularly looker for speakers/topics around FIELD BIOSAFETY please contact Zachary Wilson (Zachary.Wilson@ucdenver.edu)
April 25, 2019, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) finalized a proposal to amend the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) to streamline the oversight of gene therapy research. This proposal, which was developed in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration, included amending the NIH Guidelines to eliminate duplicative review and reporting requirements for human gene transfer protocols and refocuses the role of the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) as a transparent forum for science, safety, and ethics of emerging biotechnologies. After a 60-day public comment period, the NIH Guidelines have been updated to reflect these changes and the RAC has been renamed the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee (NExTRAC).
Please
note that the roles and responsibilities of Institutional Biosafety Committees
(IBCs) to review gene therapy protocols have been modified so that they are
consistent with the review of other research covered under the NIH
Guidelines. Gene therapy protocols remain subject to Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and other clinical trial regulations, and only after FDA,
Institutional Biosafety Committee, Institutional Review Boards, and other
relevant approvals are in place can these protocols proceed.
The
BBTC 2019 Hilton Fort Collins room rates are $129 per night for single or
double. Hotel room rates may change without notice. The cutoff date for
hotel reservations is Monday, June 17, 2019. The hotel phone number is
970-482-2626. Call the hotel to reserve your special group room rate under the
group/block name of “Biosafety and Biosecurity Training“, or
use the on-line custom room reservation link found at the BBTC website.
Please check the website for
updates.
Animal Session: July
8-9, will be animal oriented. Topics to be covered include large animal ABSL–2
and –3 facilities design, containment and management; Laboratory animal ABSL–2
and –3 facilities design, containment and management; Prion disease research
Biosafety; Field Investigations; and Select Agent inspection preparations.
General Session: July 9,
10, 11, will be general Biosafety and Biosecurity. Topics to be covered include
Risk assessment; Entity specific inspection and audit preparations and
responses; Select Agent regulations and changes, administration, and inspection
preparations; Design and management of insectaries; HEPA filters and biosafety
cabinet certification; BSL-2 and BSL-3 building design and operations; Dual Use
Research of Concern Guidelines/Oversight; and Clinical and Public Health Lab
Biosafety.
Plant Session: July
11-12, will be plant oriented: Greenhouse design and management; Modern
greenhouse tour; Regulations and permit procedures; Containment of recombinant
plants and synthetic biology; Infectious disease research with plants;
Biopharmaceuticals; Plant disease diagnostic lab network;
Diseases of crops; and Select Agent inspection preparations.
Participants include
individuals from universities, private industry, and government.
Please dress casual for the
course.
Costs:e
cost for the course is:
* Animal, General, and Plant Sessions, (Complete
Course) July 8-12: $2100 US Dollars
* Animal and General Sessions: $1900 US Dollars
* General and Plant Sessions: $1900 US Dollars
* General Only Session: $1000 US Dollars
Registration fee includes all
lunches, breaks, course materials, a course completion certificate, and a
dinner out Tuesday evening, July 9.
DEADLINE
TO REGISTER FOR SESSIONS IS JUNE 17, 2019.
Risk Group Database App
FREE for iTunes and Android!
ABSA International created an app for the ABSA Risk Group Database, which is available for Apple and Android devices. The app will allow users to access the ABSA Risk Group Database on their mobile devices.
The ABSA Risk Group Database consists of international risk group classifications for Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and Parasites. In many countries, including the United States, infectious agents are categorized in risk groups based on their relative risk. Depending on the country and/or organization, this classification system might take the following factors into consideration: pathogenicity of the organism; mode of transmission and host range; availability of effective preventive measures (e.g., vaccines); availability of effective treatment (e.g., antibiotics); and other factors.
iPhone and iPad Instructions:
You can download the Risk Group Database app in the Apple iTunes store by searching for “Risk Group Database app.”
Android Instructions:
You can download the Risk Group Database app in the Google Play Store by searching for “Risk Group Database.”
The app only works when your device is connected to the internet.
Please send any comments or suggestions about the app to info@absa.org. An update is being planned for early October.
ABSA International would like to express our sincere gratitude to the fellows at the National Biosafety and Biocontainment Program (NBBTP) for updating the ABSA Risk Group Database.
Biosafety director earns acclaim for securing research pathogens | SOURCE
The Colorado State University officer charged with protecting researchers and the public from infectious research pathogens has received international honors for effective safeguards that support research success.
Bob Ellis, CSU biosafety director, earned the Everett Hanel, Jr. Presidential Award from the American Biological Safety Association for outstanding work promoting biosafety and high professional standards.
HHS selects nine regional Ebola and other special pathogen treatment centers
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in partnership with Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado
Robert Ellis, PhD, CBSP
University Director of Biosafety
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO Robert.Ellis@colostate.edu
