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Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is established and authorized by the Laboratory Director. Its jurisdiction includes all research involving live, vertebrate animals performed at or in conjunction with Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and its employees, regardless of the Principal Investigator's (PI) appointment or relationship with BNL. Its purpose is to review and approve the Laboratory's animal program and facilities, and review and approve each research protocol that involves animals to assure that it will be conducted in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (.pdf) and that the protocol is consistent with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals ("Guide"). In addition, all research involving animals must comply with the Public Heath Service (PHS) "Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals". The IACUC is guided by the principles set forth in the Laboratory's Assurance between Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC (BSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This Assurance defines the responsibilities of the Office of Research Administration (ORA). The IACUC follows policies and procedures as outlined in the IACUC Policies and Procedures Manual and research is conducted according to the Animal Care and Use Program. The Standards Based Management System (SBMS) for Animal Research is a step by step guide for Principal Investigators conducting research with laboratory animals. Instructions for submitting protocols to the IACUC are detailed on the SBMS and the applications forms are found below. The forms should be submitted electronically to the IACUC, but a hard copy containing required signatures must also be sent. Protocols are reviewed under the following review processes: Initial Review: A new protocol is forwarded to the IACUC for an initial review. Addendum Review: This review is required whenever a Principal Investigator changes an approved protocol for any reason. Continuing Review: Each protocol must be reviewed by the IACUC at a minimum of once a year. At the time of an Initial or Addendum Review, the IACUC will determine an appropriate certification period (no greater than one year) based on the parameters of the protocol. Triennial Review: Each protocol must be submitted on a
new application from once every three years. This application is
processed as an initial review.
For all studies involving the use of the microMRI, please review the microMRI Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Any planned deviation from this SOP must be addressed and justified in the protocol. For basic microMRI imaging of rodents with no interventions, please use the MicroMRI application below.
Removal of Animals From The BLAF
When animals are removed from
the facility they must be signed out on the “Animal Tracking Log”
located in individual animal rooms. Animals must be carried in
appropriate cages covered by microisolator or filter top lids, with adequate
food and water. In addition, the
cages should be covered so that the animals are not visible.
Cover pads and carts are available for transporting animal cages to and
from laboratories. All caging
materials and animal carcasses must be returned to the BLAF. When returning empty cages,
place them in the dirty side cage-washing room 11-105 on a cart, if it is
available. If animals must be
transported to other buildings on-site, approved vehicles must be used.
Federal requirements state that animals must not be housed outside an approved
animal housing facility for more than 24 hours (12 hours for USDA-covered
species), but in rare circumstances, animals may need to be housed outside the
BLAF for more than 24 hours. For short term housing, prior approval by the BLAF Manager is
required and the space must be inspected and approved by the BLAF Manager and/or
IACUC. The full IACUC must approve housing for periods of longer than one
week. Please complete the following steps:
Below are the only official versions of the submission forms. Always use the most current version of the form for submission.
Use the "Instructions for Completing a Protocol" for guidance. Use the "Literature Search for Alternatives Worksheet" for information on how to conduct a literature search. The IACUC generally meets once a month. Please use the following list to determine dates for submission to the IACUC.
Other Sites Regarding Animal Research
For information, please contact IACUC@bnl.gov
Last Modified: March 9, 2009 |
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