Obtaining IACUC Approval

** NEW!! Literature Search for Alternatives**
The IACUC has updated the instructions and requirements for literature searches for alternatives required with each protocol application. The IACUC hopes these changes will improve the comprehensiveness of the literature searches and result in continued high quality research and animal care at UTA.

Please follow the instructions and use this suggested format: Literature Search Template. This document contains a list of recommended databases and a sample keyword search. Attach this completed form for your IACUC protocol upon submission.

For more information regarding Literature Searches for Alternatives, please see the following links:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/alternatives/alternat.htm

http://altweb.jhsph.edu/faqs.htm

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/ncn/clinical/researchaniamls/tutorial/considered_alternatives.htm

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/links.htm#alt

Faculty, staff and students wishing to use animal subjects must first obtain approval from the IACUC. The first step in the process is for a researcher is to submit an animal subject protocol form to the IACUC through the Office of Research Compliance. The second step is to complete the UTA general animal training and specific species training for the use of animal subjects in research. The training is on-line and may be accessed by contacting Kirstin Morningstar in the Office of Research Compliance (ORC).

Once ORC receives the protocol, it will be scheduled to be reviewed and discussed at the next full board IACUC meeting. When reviewing an animal protocol the IACUC considers the rationale and purpose of the proposed use of animals; justification of the species and number of animals requested; availability of less-invasive procedures and other species; safety of the working environment for personnel involved in the activity; adequacy of training and experience of personnel in the procedures to be used with the animals; appropriate sedation, analgesia, anesthesia, euthanasia, and surgical procedures; and, the unnecessary duplication of experiments.

The Principal Investigator or a representative of the research must attend the meeting that the protocol will be discussed. If the PI or the representative fails to attend, this can result in the protocol being tabled until the next scheduled IACUC meeting. Once the review is complete the researcher will be notified in writing by ORC of the IACUC decision.

A researcher who neglects to seek appropriate approval from the IACUC will be at risk of punitive actions by the administration of the University.

Approval by the IACUC is given for a three-year period of time. Annual updates are required. If a researcher varies an element of the interaction with the animal subject from what was initially proposed and approved by the IACUC, the researcher will need to submit a revised protocol for IACUC review and approval. Training is required annually of all animal users. Certification of tetanus vaccination is also required every ten years.

Related Forms:
IACUC Annual Form
IACUC Amendment Form