The NDSU IBC requires all personnel using Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, Infectious Agents, or Human Blood, Bodily Fluids, or Tissues for research, teaching or testing to complete Biosafety/Biosecurity Training.  Documentation of training is verified when a protocol or annual update form is submitted for review.

The training requirement is satisfied by completing applicable online modules in the Biosafety/Biosecurity section of the CITI Program (see instructions below):

• • Basic Biosafety Training Course
    • Required for all projects
  • If working with Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules:
    • Complete the NIH Recombinant DNA Guidelines course.
  • If working with human blood, bodily fluids, tissues, cells or cell lines: 
    • Complete the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens course.

The NDSU IBC requires all IBC researchers to maintain current knowledge of Biosafety/Biosecurity practices.  Every three years, personnel are required to complete a refresher course. The CITI Program will automatically send you reminders when your training is due.

If you have questions about your last training date, you may log into the CITI program or contact the IBC office at ndsu.ibc@ndsu.edu.

To set up a CITI account:

• From the CITI homepage, Click on "REGISTER."
• Select Your Organization Affiliation as 'North Dakota State University.'  NOTE:  Do not select the 'North Dakota State University (SSO) option if you do not have an ndsu.edu email address.
• Click that "I AGREE to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for accessing CITI Program Materials."
• Click that "I affirm that I am an affiliate of North Dakota State University."
• Select "Continue to Create Your CITI Program Username/Password."

Here’s how to make sure you have everything you need to make the process as smooth as possible beginning to end.  Complete this process prior to beginning work on your research project.

Make sure you know the protocol number(s) for your project(s) and that you are an official member of the research team.  It is required that your PI / advisor add you to a protocol and your addition be approved prior to you completing any work on the project.   

You may not collect any new data which you intend to include as part of your thesis / dissertations until:

1. You have completed all necessary CITI training
2. The research protocol has been reviewed and approved by the NDSU IBC Committee and you are listed as part of the research team on this approved protocol.

If approval has not been received or you are not listed as part of the research team, you are at risk of not being granted your degree.

It is the responsibility of the student to make sure they are an official member of the research team on any project they intend to work on.  You can check your research team status by checking or searching your email for the official approval letter.  Make sure your name appears as part of the research team on the attached letter.   IBC approval emails will come with a subject line that reads: IBC Approval of Protocol #IBC202XXXXX

Another way to check your research team status is to search for the protocol in Novelution. 

Once you’re logged in, navigate to Search IBC Protocols under the IBC tab.

If you know the protocol number, you can enter it into the Protocol # or Title box, or you can search by your name in Personnel, or your PI’s name in PI/Co-PI.  If you are part of the research team, the protocol(s) will appear in the search results.  If you are not, it will not appear.

To obtain an approval letter for a Legacy protocol (a protocol not in Novelution), email the IBC office ndsu.ibc@ndsu.edu.  You will need to include the name of the PI and the protocol number.  A search for the approval letter cannot happen without this information.

If at any point while working on a research project you feel there has been a deviation from the protocol or an adverse event needs to be reported, please feel free to reach out to the IACUC Office.  If you don’t feel comfortable talking with your PI about the situation, please reach out.  We will handle the situation on your behalf and if you prefer, your anonymity will be protected. We encourage you to speak up if you feel something isn’t happening the way it should.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

NDSU Novelution Login:

The Novelution System is a centralized system where you will complete and submit protocols for review.  This is where you will find your protocols to refer back to them when needed.  

https://erac.ndsu.edu/login

CITI:

https://about.citiprogram.org/