(UTD Policy Navigator)Researchers including faculty, staff or students, who use live vertebrate animals in research, research training, experimentation, teaching, biological testing or for other related purposes must have approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). No projects involving live vertebrae animals, either funded or non-funded may take place without the approval of the IACUC.
The University of Texas at Dallas complies with the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and employs trained staff to work in the
University's Animal Care Facility. Safeguarding the welfare of animals in research and related activities is of prime concern to The University of Texas at
Dallas and shall be a responsibility of persons at all levels, including faculty, staff and students. All such personnel will be held accountable for
actions or lack thereof related to the care and use of laboratory animals in research activities. It is the policy of this University to maintain
appropriate review of procedures for the humane care of laboratory animals.
No animal may be purchased, housed or used for research or related activities without the approval of the IACUC. The IACUC is charged with reviewing and approving or disapproving all research activities at UTD involving the use of animal subjects. No such projects may begin without the approval of the IACUC.
Faculty and students wishing to use animal subjects must first obtain approval from the IACUC. A researcher must submit an animal subject protocol form to the IACUC through the Office of Research Integrity.
Once the Office of Research Integrity receives the protocol, it will be evaluated by the IACUC which may approve, disapprove, or request modifications to a protocol and related animal use activities. 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.
Once the review is complete the researcher will be notified in writing of the IACUC decision by the Senior Director of Research Integrity, Sanaz Okhovat. 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 annually.
How to obtain access for the animal care facility:
A justifiable reason is required for obtaining access into the animal care facility. At least one of the following descriptions must be met in order to gain access into the facility:
A principal investigator, coinvestigator, research assistant or student listed on an IACUC approved protocol:
When at least one of the above descriptions has been met, follow these steps to obtain total access into the facility:
In order to bring a visitor in the facility, the following must be met:
Contact the Office of Research Integrity by phone at (972) 883-4579 or by email at sanaz.okhovat@utdallas.edu to quote per diem rates for animals.
Updated: May 18, 2012
