Animal Research

Training and Oversight

Training Requirements

Federal regulations require institutions to provide training in the humane practice of animal care and use, and in instruction in research and testing methods that minimize the number of animals required to obtain valid results and to minimize animal distress. All personnel involved in the use or care of live vertebrate animals must complete this training prior to contact with animals or access to the animal facilities.

UNMC complies with these federal regulations by providing the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Basics Training Program and the Occupational Health and Safety Program. Additional training for working with specific species may be required and is provided by the Office of Comparative Medicine. For requirements and access the training modules, visit the CM Services and Training web page.

Oversight and Ideas Exchange

The Comparative Medicine Advisory Group (CMAG) promotes the exchange of information and ideas among all UNMC scientists regarding current and projected animal related research activities. The group is appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Research and consists of representatives from Comparative Medicine and research scientists who use animals. CMAG members meet with the administration of Comparative Medicine and with the Vice Chancellor for Research. For members of the CMAG, visit their web page.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Key Contacts

The Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) answers all questions and assists with the IACUC submission process.

Web: unmc.edu/iacuc
Phone: 402-559-6046
Email: iacucora@unmc.edu

Research Requiring IACUC Approval

Prior to project initiation, every research, testing, and teaching project involving the use of a live vertebrate animal must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC.

Forms

  1. IACUC Application of Animal Research/Testing/Training are completed on-line through the Research Support System to apply for approval of research using animals if:

    • You are a faculty member or student at UNMC or UNO who proposes to use animals in research, testing, or training.
    • This is a new project or one that is due for 3-Year Review.

  2. Addendum to Experimental Application - Breeding Procedures. Completion of this form for existing paper protocols is required only when the experimental design includes the need to breed animals. The form is avaliable online.

  3. Study Personnel: Responsibilities, Qualifications and Experience. The IACUC ensures that personnel who conduct procedures on research animals are appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures. The IACUC application requests detailed information about experience, education, and training on each individual listed on a protocol. See detailed information on the IACUC website.

Approval Criteria

Investigators are encouraged to pay careful attention to these criteria during both the design and conduct phases of their research projects:

For more detail regarding the criteria, see the IACUC website

Procurement and Management

Pricing Information

Current pricing for Comparative Medicine charges can be found on the Comparative Medicine Pricing page.

Ordering Animals

Comparative Medicine uses a Web-interfaced system, the Comparative Medicine Business Management System (CMMS), for animal orders. CMMS integrates the IACUC and the Sponsored Programs Administration (SPAdmin) databases to enhance campus regulatory compliance while providing detailed investigator billing/invoicing documentation, online animal ordering, barcode census, and detailed "real-time" animal care financial data. Animal orders are placed in the CMMS through the Research Support System.

Use your UNMC NetID and password to log in. Select “links” from the menu bar, hover the cursor over "Comparative Medicine" and click on "Order Animals". Choose the protocol number and select "animal order".

The following information is required when placing an animal order:

Animal Transfer

Moving between IACUC Protocols

Animals may be transferred from one IACUC protocol to another and from one investigator to another with certain restrictions. Animals may also be transferred between institutions with proper pre-authorization. Find additional details on the CM website.

Quarantine Policy

All newly received animals at UNMC should be given a period for physiological, psychological, and nutritional stabilization before use. This allows the animal to recover from shipping stress, adapt to its new surroundings, and become physiologically stable. Adequate acclimation times may vary depending on the animal species, source, type and duration of transportation, and the intended use of the animals. See recommended quarantine periods.

Procurement from Non-Approved Vendors

IACUC approval can be granted to procure animals from non-approved sources or vendors such as other universities. Requests to order or receive animals from a non-approved source are coordinated through Comparative Medicine using the on-line ordering system. Unauthorized shipments of animals are not allowed. Details can be found on the CM website page for the procurement of animals from non-approved vendors.

Facilities

Available Facilities

Comparative Medicine operates seven animal housing and/or support facilities.

All facilities for housing animals are registered research facilities under the Animal Welfare Act and are inspected regularly by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

UNMC's program also complies with

  1. the US Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training,
  2. the US Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals,
  3. the USDA implementing Regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, and
  4. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

For additional information, please contact Comparative Medicine.

Web: info.unmc.edu/comparativemed
Phone: 402-559-4034