Research and Economic Development

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

About the IACUC

UCR recognizes the scientific and ethical responsibility for the humane care and use of animals involved in research and education and enjoins all individuals involved to the highest standards of care and consideration.

UCR has established an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to function as the review body responsible for approval and oversight of activities involving the use of vertebrate animals at UCR in accordance to federal requirements, including the Animal Welfare Act and PHS Policy. The Committee, which is appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, is qualified through the experience and expertise of its members to oversee the institution's animal program, facilities, and procedures in coordination with the UCR Office of the Campus Veterinarian. Additionally, the IACUC is committed to promoting open and cooperative relationships with investigators, and educating the UCR community concerning the ethical and regulatory standards for the humane care of animals.

IACUC Policies, Guidance and Information for Faculty


Step 1: Determine if you need to submit an Animal Use Protocol (AUP)

An AUP is required for all research and teaching activities involving live vertebrate animals at UCR or sponsored by UCR. This includes:

  • All vertebrate animal activities (i.e., receiving, housing, maintaining, field studies, teaching uses, and lab experiments, including "gentling" treatments and non-invasive studies)
  • Vertebrate animal activities performed at other institutions under contract from UCR (e.g., contracting to have antibodies generated or new mouse strains developed; or when a UCR investigator is lead PI on a grant with subcontracts to other institutions).
     


Step 2: Submit your AUP

AUPs may only be submitted by individuals meeting PI eligibility as defined by UCR Policy #527-3. Exceptions may be made for academic coordinators planning to use vertebrate animals in teaching. Requests for an exception can be made by contacting iacuc@ucr.edu.

To submit your Animal Use Protocol in Kuali, click here.

Training on submitting an AUP and more about Kuali can be found here.
  • IACUC Levels of Review

    IACUC Levels of Review

    IACUC Levels of Review
    Full Committee Review (FCR)
    		 Protocols are reviewed by the entire IACUC during a regularly scheduled meeting
    Designated Member Review (DMR)
    		 Protocols are reviewed by a designated IACUC member who may or may not consult with other IACUC members regarding the review

    Regardless of review level, all new AUPs may be subject to additional review by EH&S and the Office of the Campus Veterinarian (OCV) to review the lab space, training and to consult on any requirements for vivaria space. Additionally, protocols housing animals for more than 12 hours or conducting survival surgeries outside of the vivaria are subject to semi-annual inspections by the IACUC and OCV as mandated by federal regulations.

  • Submission Deadlines for Full AUPs and Amendments

    Submission Deadlines for Full AUPs and Amendments

    Documents Submission Deadline For IACUC review in the month of Committee Meeting Dates
    Thursday, December 21, 2023 January Monday, January 8, 2024
    Monday, January 29, 2024 February Monday, February 12, 2024
    Monday, February 19, 2024 March Monday, March 11, 2024
    Monday, March 18, 2024 April Monday, April 8, 2024
    Monday, April 22, 2024 May Monday, May 13, 2024
    Monday, May 20, 2024 June Monday, June 10, 2024
    Monday, June 17, 2024 July Monday, July 8, 2024
    Monday, July 22, 2024 August Monday, August 12, 2024
    Monday, August 19, 2024 September Monday, September 9, 2024
    Monday, September 23, 2024 October Monday, October 14, 2024
    Monday, October 21, 2024 November Monday, November 18, 2024
    Monday, November 18, 2024 December Monday, December 9, 2024


Step 3: Training

Occupational Health Reviews

Occupational Health Reviews must be completed before handling vertebrate animals in research and teaching.

Additional compliance reviews that may be required:

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB): IRB review of human protections may be required for some activities, such as the collection of blood or primary tissues.
  • Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO): SCRO review of the use or storage of human pluripotent stem cells is required.
  • Material Transfer Agreement (MTA): Some biohazardous materials (e.g., plasmids, vectors, viruses, human cell lines) cannot be obtained without a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA). The Research and Economic Development Office is required to review these contracts in accordance with UC mandated restrictions. It is recommended that you contact mta@ucr.edu as soon as you have determined you will be obtaining materials from an external source.
  • Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC): All uses of human derived materials must be approved by the IBC through the submission of a Biological Use Authorization (BUA) form.

No one may enter the vivarium without the following:

  1. Clearance notification from the IACUC office and
  2. Completion of vivarium orientation with vivarium staff

This applies to all animal users (PI's, lab managers, graduate students, etc.).
Working with laboratory animals can present a risk to the health and well-being in the forms of (a) zoonotic diseases (infectious agents shared by humans and animals); (b) allergies to laboratory animals, particularly rodents; and (c) bites, scratches and other injuries. All animal users are required to participate in the Occupational Health Program (see instructions under Required Training).

Recommendations for completing the Health Questionnaire used for the Occupational Health Review:

  • Complete all questions
  • If your tetanus vaccination is not up to date, you will be required to provide evidence of a booster before clearance to handle animals is provided
  • Keep a copy of your completed form
  • Health forms may be submitted via email – be aware that this is a non-secure method for providing personal medical information.
  • Training Required Before Handling Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching

    Training Required Before Handling Vertebrate Animals in Research and Teaching

    Federal regulations require that all individuals handling vertebrate animals receive proper training including, but not limited to, general animal use, federal law regarding animal use, species-specific handling and experiment-specific procedures, as well as training in the specific procedures necessary for their experiments. UCR uses an on-line training system for the general training and has species-specific videos available. The Office of the Campus Veterinarian is available to provide hands-on training in various procedures. Training in project-specific procedures is the responsibility of the AUP PI and must be documented.

    See Lab Training Checklist for details.

     

  • Things all animal users/handlers at UCR should know

    Things all animal users/handlers at UCR should know

    • All individuals must complete the training and occupational health requirements prior to handling live vertebrate animals in research and teaching
    • PIs are responsible for ensuring each lab member receives hands-on training for any procedure that lab member will be performing.  Training may be performed by the PI, a designated and experienced lab member, an experienced colleague or as arranged ith the Office of the Campus Veterinarian/vivaria staff. Lab members should not attempt procedures they have not received training for or do not yet feel confident in performing.
    • AUPs and implementation by investigators must minimize potential pain and distress by:
      • Ensuring lab members have been trained appropriately and are competent in the procedure and also familiar with how to determine if hte animal is experiencing pain or distress
      • All lab members being familiar with and adhering to the approved AUP
      • All anesthesia, analgesia, monitoring and animal care being performed according to the AUP
      • Investigators giving extra consideration of animals an dreference to the approved AUP for procedures that are likely to cause pain or distress
    • Collaborations involving treatment of animals under more than one AUP must be clearly described within an AUP
    • The IACUC must be aware of and have approved the sequence of all treatments a single animal will be exposed to
    • Euthanasia must be performed as approved in the AUP. Typically, methods listed as acceptable in the AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia will be approved by the IACUC. Conditionally acceptable methods may be approved with appropriate scientific justification
    • Handle materials safely - PIs must ensure that lab members receive appropriate safety training (both the courses offered by EH&S and in-lab training for lab-specific procedures)
    • PIs should be familiar with UCR IACUC policies and procedures
    • Animals housed in the UCR vivarium must be ordered through the Office of the Campus Veterinarian, unless otherwise authorized by the Campus Veterinarian
    • Any changes in research that would result in a different statement on the approved AUP must be approved by amendment before they are implemented