Biological & Genetic Modification Safety Committee
Introduction and functions
The Queen Mary Biological and Genetic Modification Safety Committee (BGMSC)
- peer reviews all Queen Mary GMO and Notifiable Biosafety risk assessments,
- classifies the risk level of the work, and
- monitors the effectiveness of GMO / biological agent containment measures across Queen Mary laboratories and related facilities.
The committee is a sub-group of, and reports to the Queen Mary Health and Safety Advisory Group (HSAG).
Organisation for biosafety and GMO work at Queen Mary
The committee maintains the Queen Mary premises registration for GMO work under the GMO (Contained Use) Regulations 2014.
Queen Mary is registered as GM Centre 774 with the Health and Safety Executive.
Barts Health NHS Trust premises (Barts, Royal London Hospitals) are included in the Queen Mary registration for GMO (Contained Use) activities.
GMO (Contained Use) activities at Barts Health NHS Trust premises are conducted as per the GMO_Memorandum of Agreement_QMUL_BHT_Oct 2018_Web [PDF 443KB] between Queen Mary and the Trust.
The Committee is chaired by a senior Queen Mary academic staff member with experience and knowledge of GMOs and biological agents / hazards. The Queen Mary Biological Safety Adviser (Health and Safety Directorate) provides first point of contact for risk assessment review, competent topic advice (Biological Safety Adviser for Queen Mary) and is Secretary to the Group.
BGMSC Chair: Dr James Whiteford (William Harvey)
Biological Safety Adviser / BGMSC Secretary: Dr Mark Ariyanayagam (Health and Safety Directorate)
Committee members (with contact details):
Membership BGMSC - current academic year
BGMSC - Duties and Responsibilities
BGMSC - Appointment Letter template
All Queen Mary Schools and Institutes conducting GMO / biological agent or hazard work have at least one representative member; Occupational Health, Trade Union, research partner organisations and lay member representation is maintained on the committee.
The BGMSC meets once an academic semester (and ad hoc as required).
1. Autumn (Semester One) Meeting
Meeting Risk Assessment submission deadline: Mon 4 Nov 2024
Meeting Date: Tues 12 Nov 2024 (13:30 – 16:00, MS Teams)
2. Spring (Semester Two) Meeting
Meeting Risk Assessment submission deadline: Mon 10 Feb 2025
Meeting Date: Tues 18 Feb 2025 (14:05 – 16:00, MS Teams)
3. Summer (Semester Three) Meeting
Meeting Risk Assessment submission deadline: Mon 5 May 2025
Meeting Date: Tues 13 May 2025 (14:05 – 16:00, MS Teams)
1. See meeting submission deadline date above for risk assessments.
2. Draft GMO risk assessment on Queen Mary template
- Genetically Modified Micro-organisms (GMMs) - GMO Contained Use Risk Assessment Template
- Larger GMOs (plant or animals) - Contained Use Risk Assessment_Larger GMOs assoc GMM [DOC 127KB]
3. Submit to the Queen Mary Biological Safety Adviser by email.
(A GM risk assessment can be submitted at any time but please note they will be ‘batch reviewed’ between the 20th of each month and the end of the month. GM Class 1 responses will be provided shortly after ‘batch review’ concludes, GM Class 2 and 3 responses will be provided similarly with the requirement that the GM Project Supervisor attends the next BGMSC meeting to validate).
4. Complete and submit environment risk assessments (for Larger GMOs)
- Animals - Environmental Risk Assessment Low Risk GMO Animals [DOC 42KB]
- Plants - Environmental Risk Assessment_Low Risk Plant GMO [DOC 46KB]
- GMO CU Peer Review Approval Notification Process [PDF 502KB]
GMO Topic Page – Queen Mary policy, procedures and guidance along with full detail of the peer review, approval and notification process for GMO work.
1. See meeting submission deadline date above.
2. Draft Biosafety risk assessment on the template noted
3. Submit to the Queen Mary Biological Safety Advisor by email.
(A Notifiable Biosafety risk assessment can be submitted at any time but please note they will be ‘batch reviewed’ between the 20th of each month and the end of the month. Responses will be provided following the ‘batch review’ with the requirement that the Project Supervisor attends the next BGMSC meeting).
4. Complete any required permit / license documents (see summary above).
Biosafety Topic Page – Queen Mary policy, procedures and guidance along with full detail of the peer review and approval process for intentional research or teaching work with biological agents or hazards.
BGMSC Meeting agenda and minutes are provided to all meeting attendees, and can be provided upon request to the Secretary / BSA to other Queen Mary staff.
For Advice and Assistance at Queen Mary, contact the H&S Manager / Advisor for your Faculty / PS or the subject lead at http://www.hsd.qmul.ac.uk/contact-us/
All H&S staff can be contacted via the help desk at hs-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk