Working with the IACUC

This course provides basic training on the protection of animal subjects used in research.

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About this Course

Working with the IACUC is intended for laboratory research personnel who will write animal-use protocols for review by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) member or who will handle animals under such protocols. It provides basic information regarding the U.S. regulations for protection of animal subjects used in research, teaching, and testing. It also describes the sources and applicability of regulations governing animals in these uses.

In addition, it discusses the role, authority, and composition of the IACUC, the types of IACUC review, and the items of information required for the review. It discusses animal surgery, blood sample collection, antibody production, and euthanasia.

General discussions are also provided for requirements for personnel training and experience, and occupational health and safety.  It provides recommendations for housing rodents, exercising dogs, enriching the environment of primates, and using human patient care areas for animal procedures. Finally, there is a discussion of the requirements for making changes in a project involving animals and the procedures for reporting inappropriate use of animals.

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Language Availability: English

Suggested Audiences: Animal Workers and Staff, IACUC Members, Investigators, Research Assistants, Students

Organizational Subscription Price: Included in Animal Care and Use (ACU) Core series, available as part of an organizational subscription package or for $675 per year/per site as a subscription add-on for government and non-profit organizations; $750 per year/per site as a subscription add-on for for-profit organizations
Independent Learner Price: $99 per person

Demo Instructions


Course Content

Working with the IACUC: Introduction

Introduces the Working with the IACUC course and provides the course objectives.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17660 (English)

About the IACUC

Describes basic elements, roles and responsibilities, and functions of an IACUC.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17661 (English)

Federal Laws, Policies, and Guidelines

Discusses basic laws, policies, and guidelines that govern the use of animals for research, testing, and education in the United States.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17662 (English)

Planning Research and Completing the Protocol Form

Explains how investigators need to complete and justify answers to items on the animal protocol form. Covers key elements of planning research including recognizing the need to consult with the veterinarian, considering alternatives to minimize animal use and pain or distress, avoiding unnecessary duplication of previous animal studies, correctly classifying procedures performed on animals into the USDA pain/distress categories, understanding the guidelines for prolonged restraint, recognizing the need for humane endpoint criteria, and understanding appropriate euthanasia methods.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17663 (English)

Procedures: Surgery, Antibody Production, and Blood Collection

Covers key procedures in animal protocol forms including surgery, antibody production, and blood sample collection.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17664 (English)

Personnel and Their Welfare

Discusses the importance of training for personnel involved in animal research, requirements for performing work in animals involving recombinant DNA or infectious agents, considerations that should be given when using human clinical areas for animal research, and the importance of an organizational Occupational Health and Safety Program in protecting the safety of personnel and animals.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17665 (English)

Special Animal Welfare Considerations

Explains the need to house social animals in pairs or groups, and the need to justify single housing when not possible. Covers the need to preferentially house domesticated rodents in solid bottom cages with contact bedding and the requirements for organizations to establish programs for dog exercise and primate psychological enrichment.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17666 (English)

Making Changes to an Approved Animal Use Protocol

Discusses the requirement and methods for obtaining IACUC approval prior to making significant changes in animal procedures, as well as other processes organizations may establish for review and approval of changes that may be more minor in nature.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17667 (English)

Reporting Animal Use Concerns

Discusses the procedures for reporting misuse or mistreatment of animals or noncompliance in keeping with federal and organizational regulations, laws, policies, or guidelines.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 17668 (English)


Additional Modules of Interest

Aseptic Surgery

Discusses the principles of aseptic technique with an emphasis on the practical application of these principles in the laboratory setting.

Recommended Use: Supplemental
ID (Language): 12840 (English)

Antibody Production in Animals

Describes the use of antigens and adjuvants for the production of polyclonal antibodies and their ability to produce pain and distress. It also discusses the procedures for immunization, as well as the production of monoclonal antibodies and the use of ascites collection.

Recommended Use: Supplemental
ID (Language): 13325 (English)


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