Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

1. Please go to https://www.aalaslearninglibrary.org

2. On the home page, click “SUBSCRIBE”.

3. Select: Yes, I have an Access Code.

4. Enter the access code “loyolastritch070107” and ‘Submit’.

5. Complete ‘Sign Up’ Choose a username and password; please keep a record of this login for later use.

6. Enter the contact information requested. Please make sure that your e-mail address (username@luc.edu) is correct. 

7. When enrollment is complete, select the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine Courses.

8. Select the track (topic) which best matches your course topic. 
Example: The course “Working with the IACUC non-VA version” is found in the “Basic Training”.

9.    Please note: If in the future you need to be provided with your username and password, please use the “forgot username or password?” link, which is adjacent to the login area. This utility emails you your username and password.

10.    Contact us if you need to reset your password.

Please print your certificate or transcript and fax to X-69399 and/or send to us via e-mail to avalero@luc.edu or Pyoung4@luc.edu. 

Loyola IACUC requires staff to recertify every three (3) years.
The Hines VA IACUC Meeting requires staff to recertify every three (3) years.

Required levels of training:

All individuals listed on a protocol, including those without animal contact, including the PI and Co-PIs require:
1)    Basic Training.
2)    Occupational Health.

Occupational Health Training. Staff working under with Laboratory Biosafety Level 1 and 2 level, must take the Orientation to Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th Edition. Others, the Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals.

All individuals with animal contact ALSO require:
3)    Species Specific Training
4)    Anesthesia/Analgesics Training where applicable
5)    Surgical Training where applicable
6)    Post-Procedure Care where applicable Euthanasia experience needs to be listed in the ACORP.

Group Profile

Animal Component of Research Protocol (ACORP) Version 3 represents the first major revision of the ACORP forms and portal submission process since 2010. This new system was created to streamline the application process and provide investigators the utmost flexibility in completing the forms.

There are two components to the new application system: submission forms and portal data entry. The majority of the application has been moved to Microsoft Word-based forms that are downloaded from the IACUC submission system within the Research Channel. A small portion of the application remains on the portal to allow critical information to be downloaded directly to and from the IACUC and CMF computer systems. 

The IACUC recommends that investigators familiar with the Loyola ACORP and IACUC submission process complete the Word-based forms first and then the portal-based sections prior to uploading and submitting the required documents. Investigators who are unfamiliar with the IACUC and ACORP forms may benefit from reviewing the “Submission Checklist” tab in the IACUC submission system prior to completing the main ACORP. This section will help investigators determine which appendices must be completed for their application and if additional documentation will be required. 

This comprehensive Resource Guide and Instruction Manual has been created to aid investigators in completing the ACORP and associated appendices. Many sections contain information beyond what is required to fill out the forms. We hope that this additional information will help investigators complete the application materials and speed the approval process. Eliminating the need for multiple revisions saves time for both the investigator and the IACUC. 

The new ACORP and appendices have been designed to be user friendly and largely self-explanatory. Instructions for individual sections of the ACORP or appendix material can be found by clicking on the hyperlink in the table of contents of this Resource Guide, which will take you directly to the appropriate section. We have also prepared a sample IACUC application that can be downloaded from the portal to help investigators determine what type of information the IACUC requires. If you have questions regarding the forms, please contact the IACUC Director, Tony Valero (avalero@luc.edu or x64288). If you have questions regarding animal care, housing, etc., please contact the Comparative Medicine Facility (CMF, x69179). 
We welcome your comments about the new forms and submission process. If you have suggestions, corrections or complaints, please send an e-mail to Tony Valero at avalero@luc.edu.

Animal Component of Research Protocol (ACORP) Instructions

IACUC COMMITTEE CHARGE

1. The IACUC is charged with oversight of all animal use to ensure compliance with national policies protecting the welfare of laboratory animals. A major function of the commit is to review experimental protocols and, where appropriate, recommend protocol modifications to improve the welfare of the animals. Additional functions include: reviewing animal husbandry conditions; reviewing, approving, and disseminating institutional policies on animal welfare and psychological well-being; acting as an educational resource to the institution on animal welfare issues; and promoting educational
   
   
2. The Committee reports to the highest research official in the institution (Vice-Provost for Research, Meharvan Singh, PhD.).
   
   
3. A broad range of expertise is included in the Committee membership. Balance is provided by having as members veterinarians with training or experience in laboratory animal medicine; practicing scientists from several scientific disciplines (including an expert on pain, where possible); and persons representing community
   
   
4. All members of the Committee accept the goals of the Institution and have a strong commitment to ensuring the highest standards of animal
   
   
5. Clear institutional policies have been established on specific responsibilities of the IACUC, departmental chairs, attending veterinarian, investigators and their
   
   
6. Animal protocols require review by the IACUC prior to and Principal Investigator acquiring any research animal(s). Procedures should be developed to ensure timely protocol review so that investigators are not held up by unnecessary delayed
   
   
7. All purchase orders must include and approval protocol number before they may be acted on. Principal Investigators should not move animals into or out of the Institution without the authority of a designated official responsible to the
   
   
8. A veterinarian specializing in laboratory animal medicine or other appropriately trained members of the committee review the protocols and present them to the IACUC. Such an individual can clear up many queries by contacting the Principal Investigator prior to IACUC meetings, flag potential problems, and follow projects as they develop. This will facilitate IACUC review(s) but, does not substitute for or reduce Full Committee Review (FCR)
   
   
9. The extent of review(s) of an experimental protocol depends on the nature of the animal procedures proposed. Copies of all requests are available to all Committee Members for review; and all action(s) taken administratively must be affirmed by the Committee at the following IACUC meeting.
   
   
10. IACUC review(s); all work involving the use of animals, respective source(s) of funding (departmental, private, or public) or purpose (pilot projects; biomedical, agricultural, or wildlife research; testing; or education).
    
    
11. Committee records establish compliance with Federal policy and accreditation A system for follow-up and monitoring of approved studies ensures compliance with Committee recommendation and re-review every three (3) years.
    
    
12. The Committee considers and applies, where feasible, the concepts of Russell and Burch’s three Rs when reviewing protocols. These are:
    
    a. Refinement of experimental procedure(s) to reduce animal harm or distress.
    b. Reduction in number(s) of animals used, and
    c. Replacement with procedure(s) involving use of organisms lower on the phylogenetic scale or with non-animal model(s).
    d. Of the three, refinement can be widely applied immediately. Committees look for opportunities where modification(s) of the experimental procedure(s) would benefit the animals’ welfare. For example, the Committee could help establish a defined earlier end-[point (i.e., euthanasia when certain criteria are met) to reduce the severity or duration of a pathological condition(s). Appropriate protocol modification(s) enhances the scientific validity of results by removing or reducing animal
    
    
13. If euthanasia is planned, the Committee reviews the procedure(s) to ensure compliance with standards set forth by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals 2020
    
    
14. IACUC has their own Institutional Policies on certain procedures involving extreme pain or distress to an
    
    
15. The IACUC provides advice on training needs for Principal Investigators and other personnel. The Committee can act as a resource on national and local courses, workshops, and seminars available on the welfare of laboratory animals. Adapted from American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).

Manage Rights Instructions

LUC HSC IACUC Amendment
Amendment Review Process

Animal Welfare Act and USDA Regulations https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/sa_awa

USDA Animal Care Policy Manual
https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/catalog/7219640

Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (2011)
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/guide- for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratory-animals.pdf

OLAW provides guidance and advice in the form of Notices, FAQs, articles, and commentary.

This guidance represents the current thinking of OLAW on these topics. Link: https://olaw.nih.gov/guidance

OLAW Regulatory Guidance
https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws

OLAW FAQs
https://olaw.nih.gov/faqs#/guidance/faqs

U.S. Government Principles for Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training

https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/gov-principles.htm

Health Research Extension Act of 1985 https://olaw.nih.gov/resources/tutorial/intro.htm#:~:text=The%20Health%20Research%20Extension%20 Act,of%20Laboratory%20Animals%20(Policy%20).

https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/hrea-1985.htm

AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Guidelines-on-Euthanasia-2020.pdf

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/avma-guidelines-euthanasia-animals

UC San Diego Policy on the Use of Animals in Research and Teaching https://adminrecords.ucsd.edu/ppm/docs/100- 6.html#:~:text=All%20research%2C%20testing%2C%20and%20training,approved%20by%20the%20ca mpus%20veterinarian.

University of California Policy on the Use of Animals in Research and Teaching https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/2500494/AnimalUse#:~:text=The%20University%20of%20California%20rec ognizes,for%20human%20and%20animal%20diseases.

AAALAC FAQ.
The newly restructured FAQ page includes new and revised questions related to the 8th edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 2011). Link: https://www.aaalac.org/accreditation-standards/faqs/

AAALAC Accreditation
https://ori.hhs.gov/association-assessment-and-accreditation-laboratory-animal-care-international-aaalac

Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research (2014)
https://fisheries.org/docs/wp/Guidelines-for-Use-of-Fishes.pdf

Roles of the IACUC

• Clearly articulate policies and procedures so that everyone understands
• Implement regulations using scientifically sound, performance-based
• Establish effective training programs that are
• Assure the public of quality animal care and use
• Oversees and evaluates entire animal care and use
• Ensures compliance with guide, policy, and
• Represents institutions and
• Serves as a local oversight arm for APHIS/AC, NIH/OLAW, and AAALAC International.

Components of a Quality animal Care and Use Program

• Research Team
• Institutional Official
• Research
• IACUC
• Animal Care Staff (AV and technical staff)
  • Continuation
  • Termination
• Three-year cycle
  • Resubmission if needed

Routing form approvals are completed Grant Administration NOT the Research 
Channel.

Instructions:
1. Chairs log into the portal and go to:
2. Select Grant Administration 
3. Select LU Number” link from the frame on the left side of the screen 
4. Under the “Projects Needing Your Approval” dropdown menu, choose the LU# 
5. on the menu on the left side of the screen, click the “View Form” link to review the project 
information 
6. If everything looks good, go back to the menu on the left side of the screen and click the 
“Approve Proposal” link.
7. Department Chair AND the Principal Investigator both must submit the form and the P.I. 
cannot act until the Chair does

1. Every animal used in research, teaching or testing at the LUCHSC must be included in an approved Animal Care and Use Protocol on file with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
2. You must complete and submit a Personnel Qualifications Form, and your qualifications must be approved by the Animal care and Use Committee (IACUC) Office before handling or working with animals. Each person must complete the appropriate courses online and be adequately trained in each species and each procedure that he/she/they will perform. Please click on the link: AALAS Learning Library Access and Courses.
3. You must minimize potential pain and distress in animals by:
   • Being trained in properly animal handling
   • Choosing alternatives to live animals whenever possible
   • Providing for proper housing and behavioral needs of the animals
   • Follow appropriate guidelines for procedures that are likely to cause pain or distress
   • Knowing how to determine if the animal is experiencing pain or distress
   • Utilizing appropriate anesthetics and analgesics for painful procedures, or justify to the IACUC why they cannot be used
   • Use aseptic technique and proper procedures when performing surgery
   • Provide appropriate post-procedural care
   • Perform euthanasia of animals using approved methods
4. You must be aware of the hazards you are working with and receive the appropriate safety training.
5. You must be aware of the various regulations and guidelines that affect animal use at
6. You must follow the Animal Care Program policies and procedures
7. All animals must be ordered through the Comparative Medicine
8. You must submit an amendment BEFORE you make any changes to an approved animal use protocol.
9. Learn about Occupational Health Program and policies and
10. Know who to contact for questions about:
    • Animal Use Protocols IACUC office
    • Animal Ordering from CMF Business Office
    • Animal Husbandry CMF Area Supervisor
    • Veterinary Care CMF Veterinary Staff
    • Biohazardous substances

Vet Consultation Form