Project Number: 5050-43640-002-18-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 15, 2017
End Date: Aug 14, 2022

Objective:
To utilize the Institutional Biological Safety Committee (IBSC) of the Michigan State University (MSU) to ensure compliance of USDA-ARS scientists with the National Institute of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) for the safe conduct of research employing recombinant technology, including protecting crops and livestock from pests and disease or improving the quality and safety of agricultural products, and research with biohazardous materials and toxins.

Approach:
USDA-ARS and Michigan State University conduct research that employs recombinant DNA technology, synthetic nucleic acids and other potential biohazards (e.g., infectious agents, oncogenes, zoonotic pathogens, and biological toxins). To avoid conflict, ambiguity, and duplication of efforts regarding biosafety protocols, reviews, and record-keeping, USDA-ARS and MSU desire to operate under a single set of rules/ guidelines that all employees (ARS and MSU) will follow at the Sugarbeet and Bean Research Unit and Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory.