Biosafety, biosecurity and gene technology research

The La Trobe Institutional Biosafety Committee (LTIBC), formerly The Genetic Manipulation Supervisory Committee (GMSC), is expanding to include biosafety and biosecurity. The committee currently includes the following members:

• Dr Carl Ramage: Category A - External - Chair
• Dr Karla Helbig: Category B - Microbiologist
• Dr Tony Gendall: Category C - Biologist
• Dr Marie (Francine) Perrine- Walker: Category C - External - Biologist
• Dr Poh Chee Ong: Category C - External - Biologist
• Mr Sam Wishart: Category E - Engineer
• Dr Yolanda Gaspar: (Deputy Chair) Category F - Biological Safety Officer
• Dr Ian Swift: Category G - Bendigo Campus Representative
• Mr Nicholas Romas: Category H - External - Layperson
• Dr Susanna Herd: Category I - Co-opted
• Dr Christine Findlay: Category I - Co-opted
• Associate Professor Helena Richardson: Category I - Co-opted
• Mr Michael Imsic: Category I - Co-opted
• Mrs Fiona Rogers: Category I - Co-opted
• Ms Van Hoang: Category J - Occupational Health & Safety
• Dr Michael Foley: Category K - Infectious disease/Biosafety/Biosecurity
• Dr Adam Hart: Category L - Geneticist
• Dr Warwick Grant: Category L - Geneticist

with support and advice from Ethics and Integrity personnel:

• Dr Tracy Stanley – Senior Biosafety Officer (Executive Officer LTIBC)
• Ms Lyn Houston – Research Administration Assistant

2018 Committee meetings

LTIBC meetings are held in the LIMS Board Room, Level 5, LIMS1 or AgriBio meeting rooms.

Project proposals, reports and variation requests should be submitted no later than the designated submission date for each meeting.

Project proposals, reports and variation requests will be formally assessed out-of-session by a sub-committee of members or the Senior Biosafety Officer and require ratification at the next scheduled meeting.

Read the LTIBC terms of reference [PDF 151KB]

Please check the Genetically Modified Organisms Procedure document for specific information.

Contact the committee

All correspondence, enquiries and submissions should be addressed to Biosafety at biosafety@latrobe.edu.au

Feedback and Complaints

If you wish to provide feedback on any aspect of the Biosafety, Biosecurity or Gene Technology processes at La Trobe University, including the LTIBC review process, you can:

• Email biosafety@latrobe.edu.au
• Call the Senior Biosafety Officer on (03) 9479 3358
• Submit complaints or grievances about decisions reached by the LTIBC to the Senior Biosafety Officer, the Chair LTIBC, the DVC(R) or the University Ombudsman.

Biosafety aims to resolve concerns in a transparent, fair and objective manner and use the knowledge gained for improvement.

If you wish to make a complaint about a research project conducted by La Trobe University, more broadly about a researcher or the conduct of research, or voice a concern regarding the use of genetically modified organisms or infectious organisms please:

• Complete the Ethics and Integrity Complaints Form [67KB] and send to biosafety@latrobe.edu.au
• Send an email directly to biosafety@latrobe.edu.au. If known, please ensure you include the project reference number, the title of the project and the Chief Investigator (all this information can be found in the application papers).
• Call the Senior Biosafety Officer on (03) 9479 3358

Please ensure you indicate whether you would like us to follow up with you regarding your complaint or feedback.

The LTIBC is expanding to assess all University research, teaching and services involving:

• gene technology
• genetically modified organism (GMOs)
• security sensitive biological agents (SSBAs)
• Dual use microorganisms under the Defence Trade Control Act
• biological materials
• biohazardous microorganisms
• invasive species, noxious weeds and pest animals
• materials requiring quarantine approval
• import and export of the above

·     If your research, teaching and services involve the above, you need LTIBC approval before the work starts.

Risk group levels, containment, import and export and legislative requirements, and new LTIBC review processes coming soon. Please contact the Senior Biosafety Officer at biosafety@latrobe.edu.au for any questions.

View gene technology research requirements and processes on the Gene Technology page.

Internally certified physical containment facilities (laboratories).

For research involving or potentially involving Risk Group 1 or Risk Group 2 organisms that do not include genetically modified organisms, the LTIBC oversees an internal certification program that verifies our laboratories comply with Australian New Zealand Standards, 2982:2010 and 2243:3:2010.

Please contact the Senior Biosafety Officer at biosafety@latrobe.edu.au for any questions regarding La Trobe's internal certification or external OGTR certification.

Biosafety and biosecurity training modules coming soon.

For Gene Technology training go to the gene technology research page under the 'Training' tab.