Institutional Biosafety Committee Minutes

Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences Institutional Biosafety Committee Hybrid Meeting minutes from Thursday September 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM

IBC Members Present

• Dr. Crystal (Niki) Johnson: Committee Chair - Present
• Dr. I-Hsiu (George) Huang:  Scientific Member - Present
• Dr. Sue Katz Amburn:  Scientific Member - Present (10:06)
• Dr. Gerwald Koehler: Scientific Member - Present
• William (BJ) Reddig: Lab representative - Present
• Dr. David Wallace: Animal Expert - Present
• Dr. Fang (Fiona) Liu: Non-affiliated member - Absent
• Jennifer Nangle: Non-affiliated Member - Absent
• Dr. Vikram Gujar: Alternate Member - Affiliated Scientist - Present

Quorum: Quorum was met. Six regular voting members were present following Dr. Amburn's arrival at 10:06 a.m. Dr. Gujar, an affiliated scientific alternate member, was also present and was eligible to vote when serving in place of an absent or recused member within his designated membership category. Four voting members are required for quorum.

Others in Attendance

• Amber Hood: Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences - Director Regulatory Compliance & Research Facilities
• Rebecca Crandell: Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences - Assistant Director Research Compliance
• Kolt Wood: Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences - Research Compliance Coordinator

Minutes

1. Call to Order
   • The IBC Chair called this meeting to order at 10:00am.
     1. Conflicts of Interest
        • The IBC Chair asked all members present to identify any conflicts of interest with the materials that are to be reviewed.
        • Three were identified, Dr. Johnson and Mr. Reddig for protocol #1209 and Dr. Huang for protocol #1208
     2. Discussion of previous minutes
        • No discussion was held regarding the August 2026 IBC meeting minutes. Dr. Wallace motioned to approve them as written, and Dr. Johnson seconded. All members present were in favor of the motion.
     3. Review and Approval of previous meeting minutes
        • Date of previous meeting: Thursday, August 20 2026
        • Motion: Approve as Written
        • Votes:
          • For -
          • Against - 0
          • Abstain - 0
2. Review of Prior Business
   • Business: Report of pending/outstanding protocol(s)
   • Review and Discussion: None
3. New IBC Registrations and Amendments for Review
   1. Review of IBC-00001209
      • PI Name(s): Dr. Crystal (Niki) Johnson
      • Registration Title/Number
        • Cultivation of Novel Anaerobic Taxa and Assessment of their Pharmabiotic Potential
        • IBC-00001209
      • Project Overview:
        • This research investigates anaerobic microorganisms associated with host and environmental microbiomes, with the goal of improving understanding of microbial diversity and physiology. The study includes cultivation and characterization of fastidious anaerobic microorganisms, including commensal gut-associated taxa such as Roseburia spp. and Christensenella spp., as well as other organisms recovered from microbiome sample sources. Research activities include anaerobic cultivation, enrichment and isolation of microbes, taxonomic identification using molecular sequencing methods, characterization of microbial growth and physiology, and evaluation of interactions among defined microbial communities. Cultures may also be assessed for production of microbial metabolites and other biological activities relevant to host-associated microbial ecology. No recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid manipulation is performed as part of this protocol. Potential occupational hazards include exposure to unknown microorganisms present in primary specimens, accidental sharps injury during anaerobic culture transfers, and breakage or pressure accumulation in sealed culture vessels. Risk mitigation measures include appropriate personal protective equipment, biological containment practices, researcher training, immediate disposal of sharps without recapping, ready access to sharps containers, use of secondary containment, and monitoring or venting of sealed anaerobic cultures. Biological materials will be handled and disposed of in accordance with institutional biosafety procedures.
      • NIH Guidelines Section
        • N/A
      • Risk Assessment and Discussion
        • Discussion: The committee determined that the PI adequately addressed the questions raised during review and requested the following revisions: (1) clarify the source and proposed use of human samples or remove references to human samples from the protocol; the committee suggested submission of a separate registration if use of human samples is proposed in the future; (2) add an arthropod section, as applicable, to address the proposed use of insects, spiders, or other arthropods; and (3) identify all additional locations in which protocol activities will occur, including the autoclave room and microscopy suite, as applicable. The committee voted to approve the protocol contingent upon completion of the requested revisions.
      • Training
        • All personnel listed on this application have completed the minimum required lab safety training courses, including Lab Chemical safety, Bloodborne Pathogens training, and Laboratory Biosafety training. Additionally, all personnel have documented in-lab training for specific procedures that are carried out in each individual lab.
      • Additional Training
        • No additional training was outlined for this application.
      • Occupational Health Respresentative Review (if applicable)
        • No additional occupational health concerns were outlined for this protocol.
      • Biosafety Level Assignment
        • Biosafety Level: 2
        • Additional Discussion or notes:  No additional discussion was held regarding the biosafety level.
      • IBC Vote
        • Motion: Approved w/request for revisions
          • 1st: Dr. Amburn
          • 2nd: Dr. Wallace
        • Votes:
          • For - 5
          • Against - 0
          • Abstain - 0
          • Recused - 2
        • Notes:
          • Dr. Johnson and Mr. Reddig disclosed conflicts of interest and were recused from the committee’s deliberation and vote on this protocol. Dr. Gujar served as the voting alternate for Dr. Johnson during consideration of this protocol.
   2. Review of IBC-00001208
      • PI Name(s): Dr. George Huang
      • Registration Title/Number
        • Oral Pathogen-triggered Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
        • IBC-00001208
      • Project Overview
        • Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral cancer worldwide with an average 5-year survival rate of only 68% and accounts for over 180,000 deaths annually. Risk factors for OSCC include tobacco and alcohol usage, and human papillomavirus infections. Poor oral hygiene has also been correlated with various cancers and other chronic diseases. The oral microbiome has therefore been hypothesized to play a role in the development of these diseases. In this study, we will investigate the role of the periodontal bacterial pathogen Prevotella intermedia in oral cancer development. The studies presented here will reveal for the first time that P. intermedia contributes to OSCC progression. Equally important is the novel high-throughput screening system developed in this study which will provide invaluable tools for other investigators to examine the role of P. intermedia in other diseases. Finally, our study will yield clues to the mechanisms behind oral microbiota facilitated OSCC development
      • NIH Guidelines Section
        • The work was determined to be subject to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules and was classified under Section III-D-2, DNA from Risk Group 2, 3, 4 or restricted agent is cloned into a nonpathogenic prokaryotic or lower eukaryotic host- vector system, and Section III-D-4, Experiments involving whole animals (BL2-N or greater). In addition it was also classified under Section III-F-4, Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids that consist entirely of nucleic acids from a prokaryotic host, including its indigenous plasmids or viruses when propagated only in that host (or closely related strain of the same species) or when transferred to another host by wellestablished physiological means
      • Risk Assessment
        • The Generation of splashes and possible sprays or aerosols from the centrifuge were identified.
      • Discussion
        • The committee determined that the PI adequately addressed the questions raised during review and requested the following revisions: (1) remove the indication that E. coli will be used in animals, as E. coli is not proposed for animal use; (2) identify all rooms and facilities in which protocol activities will occur; and (3) update personnel designations to accurately reflect the activities each individual will perform. The committee voted to approve the protocol contingent upon completion of the requested revisions.
      • Training
        • All personnel listed on this application have completed the minimum required lab safety training courses, including Lab Chemical safety, Bloodborne Pathogens training, and Laboratory Biosafety training. Additionally, all personnel have documented in-lab training for specific procedures that are carried out in each individual lab.
      • Additional Training
        • No additional training was outlined for this application.
      • Biosafety Level Assignment
        • Biosafety Level: 2
        • Additional Discussion or notes:  No additional discussion was held regarding the biosafety level.
      • IBC Vote
        • Motion: Approved w/request for revisions
          • 1st: Dr. Reddig
          • 2nd: Dr. Wallace
        • Votes:
          • For - 6
          • Against - 0
          • Abstain - 0
          • Recused - 1
        • Notes:
          • Dr. Huang was recused due to a conflict of interest. Dr. Gujar served as the voting alternate for Dr. Huang during consideration of this protocol.
4. New Business
   • Recombinant Viral Vector
     • There is an IACUC protocol involving use of labelled vectors to track neural functions such as stress in rodents. Dr. Johnson requested that this be reviewed during a virtual meeting next Thursday for purposes of shortening the timeline of approval for this protocol by IACUC
5. Additional/Other Business
   • No additional business
6. Review of Incidents
   • No incidents were discussed at this meeting.
7. Inspections/Ongoing Oversight
   • No inspections or ongoing oversight were discussed at this meeting.
8. IBC Training
   • The IACUC is reviewing more protocols with transgenic animals. They are seeking additional clarification from the IBC on what should be screened by the IBC when 'transgenic animal' is marked on the IACUC protocol. The IBC reviewed and discussed the proposed institutional guidance regarding transgenic animals, including the definition of a transgenic animal and circumstances in which activities involving transgenic animals may require IBC oversight. The committee discussed the need to provide investigators with clearer guidance for determining when proposed animal activities should be submitted to the IBC. Following discussion, the committee agreed that the guidance should be further refined and circulated among the members for additional review and feedback.
9. Public Comments
   • No public comments were recorded at this meeting.
10. Adjournment
    • The IBC Chair moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:03am.
    • Committee will hold an Ad Hoc meeting September 24, 2026. The next monthly IBC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026.