Training of Personnel:  All personnel doing any activities that involve animals are required to complete the online trainings for the Responsible Conduct of Research and Working with the IACUC that is offered through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online program.  The training is required prior to acquisition and/or use of animals.

 

Animal Use Protocols (AUP):  An approved Animal Use Protocol (AUP) must be obtained prior to acquisition and/or use of animals and throughout the entire period of animal use or maintenance.

 

Health Questionnaire Form:  All Personnel who work with animals or are at risk from animal exposure must complete the Occupational Health & Risk Assessment Questionnaire form (no paper forms will be accepted).  The form will be considered confidential and maintained by the Compliance Coordinator in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. If the medical professional recommends that the individual not proceed with the proposed activities, the Compliance Coordinator will communicate that recommendation to the PI or Supervisor of the individual, and the individual will be asked to not participate in the activities. 

 

Duration of Approval for Animal Use Protocols:  Once a protocol is approved, the approval will remain effective for 3 years.  The IACUC requires that an Annual Report be submitted regarding the status of each non-exempt and exempt teaching and tissue protocol.  To submit the Annual Report, complete the Annual Report: Teaching/Research form and submit it via email to researchcompliance@tamuc.edu.  The final year requires the Closure Form to be submitted.

Amendments to Approved Protocols:  If there are any changes to the project (personnel, methodology, species usage, animal procedures, anesthesia, post-operative care, or biohazard procedures) you will need to submit the changes on the AUP Amendment Request Form prior to initiation of the proposed changes. The proposed changes will pass through the review process for approval.  

Infectious Biohazards, Recombinant DNA:  Animal research projects that involve infectious biohazards, hazardous chemicals, or recombinant DNA in or on live animals, including procedures such as introduction of recombinant organisms into animals and generation of transgenic or knockout animals, must be approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Evaluations:  All animal housing locations are inspected semiannually. The institutional program of animal care and use is reviewed by the IACUC semiannually. Unannounced inspections and observations of animal quarters and/or experimental or teaching procedures may be performed by the Chief Research Officer, Research Compliance Coordinator, institutional attending veterinarian or by the IACUC Chair.

Suspension of Animal Activities:  The Chief Research Officer is authorized to suspend an approved protocol if it is found that animal activities being conducted do not conform to approved procedures outlined in the protocol. The institutional attending veterinarian or designee is authorized, when animal activities are found to be causing severe distress to an animal and the pain cannot be relieved, to humanely destroy that animal. Institutional veterinarians will make a concerted effort to discuss these situations with investigators/instructors prior to initiating such action.

Animal Welfare Obligation:  All individuals participating in animal care and use activities must assure animal well-being for all animals engaged in such activities. If an unanticipated problem/adverse event occurs, then the individual having knowledge of the event must report it to the Principal Investigator and to the IACUC. It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that all events are promptly and appropriately reported. 

If there are any adverse events, the Adverse Event Form must be completed and submitted immediately via email to researchcompliance@tamuc.edu.