Centres Científics i Tecnològics UB

SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH COMMITTEES

The Support for Research Committees (SRC) is created in order to coordinate and assist in the management of research involving humans, their samples, and their data (Bioethics Commission), research involving animals (Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee) and the biosecurity aspects involved in research (Biosecurity Committee). The objective of these committees is to ensure compliance with current regulations and to promote good practices in research.

Ethical Committee for Animal Experimentation

Website     

The Ethical Committee for Animal Experimentation of the University of Barcelona (CEEA-UB) aims to advise, evaluate, and support researchers in scientific research and teaching activities that involve the use of animals, ensuring compliance with current regulations on the experimentation of non-human animals.




Bioethics Commission

Website     

The Bioethics Commission (CBUB) aims to evaluate the research projects and activities of UB researchers who request it, to reflect on and discuss the ethical issues arising from scientific research, and to promote training in bioethics and research integrity among doctoral and early-stage researchers.




Biosafety Committee

Website     

The Biosafety Committee (CBSUB) aims to advise, evaluate, and support research and teaching activities involving the handling of biological agents. It also ensures compliance with current regulations and promotes good research practices to guarantee the protection of people and the environment.




General questions:



What committees exist at the University of Barcelona and which one should I contact?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

    • Studies involving live non-human animals:
      1. Live non-human vertebrate animals, including:
        1. independent larvae capable of feeding themselves
        2. mammalian fetuses from the last third of their normal development
        3. birth or hatching of eggs
      2. Live cephalopods.
    • For the purpose of:
      • Basic research: experimental, behavioral, and field studies.
      • Translational or applied research.
      • Environmental protection and species preservation.
      • Education or higher training: teaching practices, acquisition or improvement of professional skills or competences.

Bioethics Committee
    1. Projects with interventions that involve interaction with human beings:
      • Behavioral
      • Observational
      • Fieldwork
      • Interviews
      • Life stories
      • Questionnaires
      • Etc.
    2. Experimentation with humans (any clinical trial or study with medicines must also include the corresponding report from the CEIm/c of the center where it will be carried out).
    3. Use of human-origin samples:
      • Biological samples
      • DNA
      • Primary cells
      • Use of any type of human data

Biosafety Committee
    1. Pathogenic biological agents:
      • Bacteria
      • Viruses
      • Fungi
      • Prions
      • Cell cultures with pathogens
      • Etc.
    2. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs):
      • Microorganisms
      • Plants
      • Animals
      • Cell lines
      • Recombinant DNA/RNA
    3. Human or primate samples with biological risk (if not fixed or inactivated):
      • Fluids
      • Tissues
      • Cell lines
      • Etc.
    4. Living organisms with biological, health, or environmental risk:
      • Animals
      • Insects
      • Vectors
      • Pests
      • Wild species (with transmissible infections, etc.)
    5. Activities with non-obvious biological risk:
      • Metagenomics
      • Environmental samples
      • Synthesis of genetic sequences
      • Manipulation outside living organisms

Before starting the project:



What training and information do I need before starting?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

Consult the section on obtaining and maintaining the qualifications of personnel using experimental animals on the CEEA website: https://www.ub.edu/ceea/ca/obtencio-i-manteniment-capacitacions-del-personal-usuari-danimals-dexperimentacio

Bioethics Committee

Not applicable.

Biosafety Committee

    • Mandatory OSSMA training:
      • Safety in laboratories
      • Introduction to biosafety
      • Use of biological safety cabinets
      • Link: OSSMA Training
    • Information: Activity information sheets (laboratory).
    • Information: Standard work procedures (SWPs). SWP link

Do I need to undergo a health examination before starting the activity?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

Not applicable

Bioethics Committee

Not applicable

Biosafety Committee

Depending on the activity, a preventive medical check-up may be advisable or necessary. In case of doubt, consult OSSMA. Health examination request

What should I submit if the research is conducted outside the UB?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

Contact ceea@ccit.ub.edu

Bioethics Committee

You must consult section three of the CBUB guide document (form) to verify which cases and authorizations apply to the research project. Moreover, if the research takes place outside Spain, consult the following statement available online.

Biosafety Committee

If you are conducting research outside the University or come from another institution or company, complete the Coordination of Business Activities (CAE) form: Coordination of Business Activities

How can I obtain a report for research project funding calls?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

You can find the form and the steps to follow at the following link: https://www.ub.edu/ceea/ca/sollicitud-dinformes-projectes-recerca

Bioethics Committee

You can find the form and the steps to follow at the following link: https://www.ub.edu/comissiobioetica/ca/faqs

Biosafety Committee

The activity must be notified to CBSUB and OSSMA through the Internal Notification procedure.

How can I request/obtain a favorable report or exemption from ethical evaluation from the research committees?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

You can find the required documentation and other relevant information at the following link: https://www.ub.edu/ceea/ca/presentacio-projectes-seva-avaluacio

Bioethics Committee

You can find the procedure to follow, the guide document (form), and other relevant information at the following link: https://www.ub.edu/comissiobioetica/ca/avaluacio-de-projectes

Biosafety Committee

The activity must be notified to CBSUB and OSSMA through the Internal Notification procedure.

What documentation must I fill in if some of the biological agents handled will be GMOs?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

Not applicable

Bioethics Committee

Not applicable

Biosafety Committee

    • Mandatory communication to OSSMA and CBSUB through the Internal Notification form (section 2.1): Internal Notification.
    • At the same time, an External Notification must be submitted according to the type of activity and biosafety level: External Notification.

During the execution of the project:



What should I do if I want to include a modification in a project?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

You can find the modification request form and the steps to follow at the following link: https://www.ub.edu/ceea/ca/sollicitud-modificacions-projectes-i-procediments-ja-autoritzats

Bioethics Committee

If you wish to modify a previously approved project, you must send an email to the Technical Secretariat (cbub@ub.edu) explaining the type of modification and its justification. Once the Technical Secretariat has reviewed the proposed modification, and if a new review is deemed necessary, instructions and required documentation will be sent by email. https://www.ub.edu/comissiobioetica/ca/faqs

Biosafety Committee

Any significant change must be notified to CBSUB via cbsub@ub.edu.

How should I report if I detect any risk situation not covered in the evaluation or information sheet?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

Report to the head of the UEA by email.

Bioethics Committee

If the study data have been compromised, contact the Data Protection Office (protecciodedades@ub.edu) and the General Secretariat (secretaria.general@ub.edu) with a copy to the CBUB (cbub@ub.edu).

Biosafety Committee

If an initially unforeseen risk is detected, report it to OSSMA via: Contact form

How should I report if an accident/incident occurred during the activity?

What should I do if I need to extend the deadline to complete an already approved project?

Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee

You can find the request form for an extension and the steps to follow at the following link: https://www.ub.edu/ceea/ca/prorroga-projectes

Bioethics Committee

Not applicable

Biosafety Committee

Not applicable

After the project is completed:



What should I do if I need to submit a retrospective evaluation of an already authorized/evaluated project?

Ethical Committee on Animal Experimentation

You can find the form to submit the evaluation and the steps to follow at the following link: https://www.ub.edu/ceea/ca/avaluacio-retrospectiva

Bioethics Committee

The CBUB does not issue retrospective reports, since it cannot evaluate projects where fieldwork or the collection of human samples or data has already begun, as it would not be possible to ensure that the research was conducted according to established ethical standards. CBUB approval must always be prior, never posterior.

Biosafety Committee

Not applicable. The CBSUB does not issue retrospective evaluations.


What is NorayDocs?

The NorayDocs platform is the IT tool for managing the services of the Research Support Committees. This tool streamlines the submission of requests for evaluation, improving communication between users and the Committees, while ensuring full transparency and confidentiality. It is a document management system accessible to both researchers and the Committees. One of the main advantages of NorayDocs is that it allows immediate notification of project progress as well as status updates to researchers via email.

How to register?

To register for the NorayDocs application, you must fill in the Registration Form with your details and send it by email to Research Committees Support (suport.comites.recerca@ub.edu) to receive your access credentials. In the following NorayDocs Guide you will find all the information necessary to properly use the NorayDocs platform. You can also watch these short instructional videos that explain the software functionalities and may be helpful to you.

- How to add notes to the coordinator?

- How to view project details and status?