In compliance with NIH Guidelines and University policies, an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) exists and functions at the University of Louisville (UofL). The University's Institutional Biosafety Committee reviews all institutional activities involving the use of biohazardous agents and recombinant DNA (rDNA) molecules that require approval for "biosafety activities" as described in current governmental regulatory requirements. These regulatory requirements include, but are not limited to, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Recombinant DNA Guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and compliance directives as adopted and adhered to by KYOSH.

The Institutional Biosafety Committee's charge is to ensure that all persons, procedures and facilities involving the use of biological agents, rDNA and large scale activities meet the best interests of laboratory safety, effective research, as well as the environment and general public. The Institutional Biosafety Committee is appointed by and reports to the Executive Vice President of Research. The composition of the committee meets the requirements as specified in the NIH Guidelines and includes four community members that are not affiliated with UofL. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) provides the necessary administrative support for the functions and business of the Institutional Biosafety Committee.