INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE

Updated November 14, 2008

Dear Investigators and Staff

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) recently voted to modify the procedure for submission of all animal related materials using a database system. This system is slated to begin beta testing in early 2009.

The web application we are incorporating into our submission process is iRIS.  The IACUC and both CWRU and UH IRB will be using this system.

We have identified a small group of investigators and staff to begin our beta testing group.  When the testing phase of the application is complete the IACUC will announce a date when the protocol submission will become 100% electronic.

The IACUC Committee will continue to meet on the third Tuesday of every month at which time protocols are presented by the primary reviewers and veterinarians and voted on by the full Committee.  We will continue to follow the submission deadlines we have used since 2006. Protocols to be reviewed at any given meeting must now be submitted to the IACUC office on the last Friday of the previous month. 

As always the IACUC office staff and Committee members will do our best to accommodate the needs of the investigators. 

There will be training sessions available for all investigators and staff. Please visit the IACUC web site for updates and training materials.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Diana Zyzanski

MISSION STATEMENT

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) forms the foundation for effective self-regulation of animal care and use and is responsible for reviewing all protocols involving live vertebrate animals, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, inspecting animal facilities and laboratories and overseeing training and educational programs. The overall role of the IACUC is to ensure the humane and sensitive care and use of animals.

The IACUC provides assistance to investigators in fulfilling their obligation to plan and conduct animal experiments in accord with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.

The School of Medicine provides a full-time IACUC Coordinator and support staff to handle the day to day affairs of the Committee

Since membership on the Committee is on a voluntary, part-time basis, Case Western Reserve University has a full-time IACUC staff to handle the day to day affairs of the Committee.  The staff receives, reviews, and distributes all submissions to the IACUC, such as animal protocols, annual reviews, protocol amendments, and facility access requests.  See contact us for information.