IBC

IBC Cayuse Migration Starting October 1st 2026

We are preparing to transition all existing IBC protocols from the old MyProtocol system to Cayuse. This will be a soft migration, so you do not need to do anything right now. We will begin the migration in phases, and I will contact you directly when it is time for your protocol to be moved.

For existing MyProtocol protocols, I will create a “shelled” protocol in Cayuse and transfer as much of the existing information as possible. Because the Cayuse IBC form is different from the MyProtocol form, this will not be a simple copy-and-paste process. Once I have entered everything I can, you will receive an email asking you to go into Cayuse, complete any remaining sections, and review the information that has been entered. You will then need to certify the protocol on the Certifications page and submit it.

We will migrate a set number of protocols each month, beginning with protocols that were approved in 2023. This is also when we will begin implementing a three-year approval period for IBC protocols. The NIH has proposed changes that would move to a three-year expiration period. If that proposal is approved next year, existing five-year approval periods would not be grandfathered in. Because of this, we are implementing the three-year period as part of this migration rather than making another change later.

Not every migrated protocol will go through a full IBC review. A protocol will be sent to the full IBC for review if it contains new procedural changes, was originally approved in 2023, or involves recombinant DNA. Other protocols will be migrated and issued a new three-year approval without going through the full board review process.

You will receive an email from us once your migrated protocol has been approved. We will not be halting ongoing studies during this migration, as we did during the previous transition.

New Protocols and Amendments

Beginning October 1, all new IBC protocol submissions must be submitted through Cayuse. PIs will not have access to the Cayuse IBC system until October 1.

If you need to amend a protocol that is still in the old MyProtocol system, you will submit the protocol through Cayuse. Please include the old MyProtocol protocol number in the title of the new Cayuse protocol so that we can properly track the migration.

PI instructions for new submissions and for reviewing migrated protocols will be available on the IBC website beginning October 1. I will also send those instructions directly to PIs at that time.

We will also hold a one-hour webinar on October 1 at 11:00 a.m. to provide training on submitting protocols in Cayuse and to walk through what the review process will look like. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the IBC webpage afterward for anyone who is unable to attend.

We appreciate your patience as we work through this transition. We expect this migration to be much smoother than our previous system transition.

Understanding Biosafety and Containment Levels

Biosafety addresses the safe handling and containment of biohazardous material. It is meant to prevent lab-acquired infections and/or prevent release into agricultural or natural ecosystems.

Containment is achieved through the use of work practices, safety equipment, PPE and facility features.

Containment of biohazardous material is described by 4 biosafety levels: BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4. The higher the number the more dangerous the material. Click below for a more detailed description of these levels.

Standards & Regulations

2026 Meeting Schedule

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at 301 Research Blvd.

When possible and consistent with protection of privacy and proprietary interests, IBC meetings can be made available to the public.

For further information, please contact the IBC admin at IBC@research.msstate.edu.

Deadline Meeting Date
January 7 January 21
February 4 February 18
March 4 March 18
April 2 April 15
May 6 May 20
June 3 June 17
July 1 July 15
August 5 August 19
September 2 September 16
October 7 October 21
November 4 November 18
December 2 December 16

In accordance with new NIH requirements, all institutions are now mandated to make their IBC meeting minutes publicly available. This effort aims to promote transparency and accountability in research involving biohazardous materials. As part of compliance, our meeting minutes will be accessible here.

For information on how to fill out an IBC application/registration or modification form, or to determine if one should be submitted, please review the FAQ page.

IBC Membership

The IBC is composed of university faculty and staff with expertise in microbiology, molecular biology, animal containment and plant containment. Two community members represent the interest of the surrounding community. Click below to see the current IBC roster.

IBC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS)

The IBC adheres to SOPs in order to review research in a consistent and fair manner.

MSU Policy on Biosafety

Current IBC SOPs