The Administrative Panel on Biosafety (APB) is an established institutional biosafety committee that reviews projects involving infectious agents, recombinant DNA (rDNA), and synthetic nucleic acid molecules (sNA). The CHARGE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE PANEL ON BIOSAFETY can be found here.

APB approval is required for all work that uses biological agents classified as BSL-2 or above, or rDNA classified as non-exempt by the NIH. To determine if your research requires APB approval, check the NIH rDNA Guidelines, safety data sheets (SDS) for Infectious Substances, and CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (5th Ed.) (BMBL). You can also contact Biosafety for guidance.

The APB uses the eProtocol Biosafety application process, a web-based system that coordinates new protocols, updates, renewals, and reminders. Learn more about eProtocol Biosafety and access the system here.

NEW! Biological Agents and Personnel Table in APB eProtocol

In the ‘Agents Used’ section in your APB eProtocol, you will find a new matrix, titled “BIOLOGICAL AGENTS/PERSONNEL TABLE”. This table will be used to help clarify which biological agent(s) specific personnel listed on the APB currently uses.  It will be used by both Biosafety and Stanford University Occupational Health to help assess any medical requirements needed for the researcher based on the agents they use.

Please click on the following link to access a visual guide to this process: Biological Agents and Personnel Table Guide