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Division of Research Integrity

Animal Research

About the Program

Northeastern University’s commitment to excellence in academics and research has led to the formation to The Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) and the Northeastern University-Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (NU-IACUC).

The NU-IACUC support and oversee the DLAM by the development and initiation of a variety of programs and activities aimed at maximizing the quality of animal care at Northeastern by meeting or exceeding the standards set forth in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals", (the "Gold Standard") and the USDA’s Animal Welfare Act. The program for housing, care and oversight of animal use is also fully accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC, Intl.).

DLAM currently provides care for approximately 3,000 laboratory animals annually including rabbits, mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils and birds. Animal housing facilities were designed and constructed in compliance with federal guidelines to provide physical and environmental conditions appropriate for scientific research. Environmental conditions are monitored and maintained on a twenty-four hour basis.

All persons working with research animals are required to be enrolled in the Northeastern University Medical Surveillance Program for Person’s Working with Research Animals. This program is designed to inform participants on the possible risks and hazards of working with research animals as well as incorporating medical oversight of personnel by the Northeastern University’s Lane Health Center.

NU-IACUC Program Organization

The NU-IACUC serves as an advisory committee to the Office of the President on matters concerning the humane and ethical care of laboratory animals, adequacy of animal facilities, animal health, and occupational and student health as related to animal diseases. The NU-IACUC operates in accordance with guidelines specified in the USDA Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and internal policies and guidelines approved by the committee.

The NU-IACUC is the principal advisory group on humane care and use of animals for researchers and instructors who use animals at the University. The NU-IACUC is the appropriate body for resolving concerns involving the care and use of animals, which are brought to its attention by veterinarians, researchers, animal technicians, or others.

The NU-IACUC has the responsibility to ensure that all animal research activities are in compliance with applicable federal guidelines or regulations. The NU-IACUC is empowered to alter or to suspend a research activity whenever they determine that the activity is not in compliance.

In the execution of its duties, the NU-IACUC, at a minimum:

  • Reviews the institution's program for humane animal care and use of animals at least every six months using "The Guide" as a basis for evaluation.
  • Inspects all the institution's animal housing facilities, including satellite facilities, at least once every six months using "The Guide" and the Animal Welfare Act as the basis for evaluation.
  • Prepares reports of NU-IACUC evaluations as required by Public Health Service Policy.
  • Reviews concerns about the care and use of animals at the University.
  • Makes recommendations to University officials regarding any aspect of the University's animal program, facilities, or personnel training.
  • Reviews and approves or disapproves proposed protocols for the use of vertebrate animals in teaching and research at the University. The Committee reviews all proposed protocols and asks for revisions/clarifications from the investigator/instructor prior to giving full approval. The committee also reserves the right not to approve proposed protocols.
  • Reviews and approves or disapproves requested changes in previously approved animal research/teaching protocols(any change requested to a previously approved protocols is called an amendment). The Committee reviews all proposed amendments and asks for revisions/ clarifications from the investigator/instructor prior to giving full approval. The committee also reserves the right not to approve proposed amendments.
  • Provides advice to the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine and other University administrative units regarding administrative procedures.
  • The Vice Provost for Research makes appointments to the NU-IACUC as delegated by President of the University. Appointments are made annually in September and members are either appointed for a period of one year or have open-ended appointments. The "Institutional Official" is appointed by the President of the University.
  • The Committee elects its own chairperson. The chairperson selects another member of the committee to serve as vice-chairperson and submits the name of this individual to the committee for approval. In addition to regular voting membership, the Chairperson may appoint non-voting technical consultants to assist the Committee in evaluating and responding to specific technical issues.

NU-IACUC members represent the following areas:

  • Active research animal users (six members)
  • Departments having operational responsibility for animal care (one member)
  • Administrative units with institutional responsibilities in animal-related program management (one member)
  • Veterinarian (one member)
  • An individual not affiliated with the university (one member)
  • A non-scientist
  • A student (non voting)
  • Currently, there are 12 members on the committee, with 9 voting and 3 non-voting members. (Quorum = 5 voting members)

NU-IACUC meetings

Generally, NU-IACUC meetings are held on a monthly basis.

The next IACUC meeting will be held on Tuesday May 6, 2008.

The deadline for submission for this meeting is April 28, 2008 at 12:00 Noon.

Emergency Contact Numbers

  • Emergencies requiring police, fire or ambulance
    Call ext. 3333
  • Emergencies requiring notification of DLAM personnel
    During office hours
    (617) 373-3958
    Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
    Evening, weekends, and holidays, call Work Order at 617-373-2754 and ask for the DLAM or Animal Care "On Call Person".
  • For Veterinary Emergencies
    During office hours
    (617) 373-3958
    Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
    Evening, weekends, and holidays, call Work Order at 617-373-2754 and ask for the DLAM or Animal Care "On Call Person". The veterinarian will be contacted if necessary.

Protocol Amendments/Annual Update

Any changes from the original protocol must be submitted to the NU-IACUC for approval using the Protocol Amendment Form-Supplement A. This form is for investigators submitting amendments to the IACUC for adding personnel, adding animals, changing species, and changing/adding procedures. The form is self explanatory and investigators will only be required to fill out the sections that apply. We require that the entire form be submitted, even if some sections are not filled out. We also remind researchers that no change is to be intitiated until it has been fully approved by the NU-IACUC.

Examples of changes that require the formal submission of an amendment to the protocol include:

  • change in funding agency
  • change in species
  • change in number of animals
  • change in, or new use of, surgical procedures
  • change in type of restraint
  • change in procedures that will increase pain or cause pain
  • change in, or new use of, infectious organisms in vivo
  • addition of personnel to protocol (list experience, and who will provide training, if necessary)
  • change in method of euthanasia
  • change in the significance and/or goals of the project.

Investigators are encouraged to discuss whether a change requires committee approval with the Director of the DLAM or the NU-IACUC Chairperson.

The Animal Protocol Annual Review Form will be sent to PI's by the NU-IACUC two to three months prior to the anniversary of their original protocol approval. This form is to be used to submit the annual protocol updates to the IACUC, as required by PHS Policy. This form is to be used to: update protocol status(active or not), report breeding numbers, delete personnel, and to update the IACUC of any unexpected losses or deaths of animals. Failure to complete this form may result in delays in the filling of animal orders, and ultimately, the termination of animal use privileges.

Training

The NU-IACUC & DLAM sponsor training and instruction in the humane care and use of animals and on the rules as well as the rules and regulations for working in the animal facility. Training seminars are held to acquaint investigators with regulations, humane treatment practices, and health hazards involved with the use of animals. Additionally, the DLAM staff is available for instruction on handling, restraint and procedural techniques. Principal Investigators, as well as those supervising instructional uses of vertebrate animals (including teaching assistants), are strongly encouraged to participate in training seminars at intervals of not less than three years. All other individuals using animals are encouraged to receive orientation by the staff of DLAM or the Consulting Veterinarian. By request, training sessions can be conducted in individual laboratories.

Facility Orientation: The DLAM Staff is available (by appointment) to orient all investigators and their staff on the rules and regulations for working in the animal facility, and on the location of equipment available for their use in each facility.

Medical Surveillance Program

This program has been developed as a collaborative effort between the Lane Health Center (LHC), the NU-IACUC, and DLAM. All personnel and students working with animals in research and teaching environments are required to participate in this program prior to working with animals.

Participants in the program will be required to fill out the Animal Contact Questionnaire form:

Participants also must attend a training seminar on safety practices and risks of working with research animals.

Please contact the DLAM Administrative Office at x3958 for more information and to enroll.

Animal Procurement

All live animals used for research or instructional activities must be included in a protocol fully approved by the NU-IACUC. Please follow the guidelines listed below:

  • All animals must be purchased through the DLAM Administrative office. All animals will be purchased by DLAM from an Approved Animal Vendor (see list below). Animals requested from other institutions or "atypical vendors" must go through the Import/Export process. Please refer the to the NU-IACUC policy on Importation and Exportation of Animals. Investigators found circumventing the Import/Export process and causing an outbreak in the NU colonies may have their research rights revoked by the NU-IACUC.

  • Prior arrangements must be made with DLAM for all animals that will need special housing, i.e. immune-compromised animals.

  • All animal orders must be submitted on a Laboratory Animal Requisition form.

  • All animal requisitions must be thoroughly and completely filled out to ensure that the order is properly placed. Attention should be given to the protocol and account numbers, the quantities, species, strain, age, sex, and weight of the animal(s), the vendor, and the requested date of delivery. Special care requirements should also be noted in the space provided. Be sure to include the Principal Investigator's name and telephone number. The requisition must bear the appropriate authorized signature to verify the account number. Completed requisitions should be submitted in the office at 21 Mugar.

  • All animal orders must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the requested arrival date. Time must be given to ensure availability, to set up for the incoming animals and to give sufficient time to process the order. Often certain strains/age/size animals are not always available. Orders placed less than 48 hours in advance will be considered an "emergency order" and will be charged a $10.00 processing fee. Laboratory personnel placing the order will be informed of this when the order is placed.

  • For each animal order, the number of animals purchased will be subtracted from the total number of animals approved for that protocol. Once that number has reached zero, investigators must submit an amendment to the NU-IACUC requesting an increase in the number of originally requested animals. Only after that approval can additional animals be ordered.

Approved Animal Vendor List:

  • Charles River Laboratories
    Rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils
    Delivery Days: Tuesdays, Thursdays

  • Taconic Farms
    Rats and mice
    Delivery Days: Tuesdays, Thursdays

  • Jackson Laboratories
    • Mice
    Delivery Days: Tuesdays

  • Milbrook Farm
    Rabbits
    Delivery Days: Tuesdays, Thursdays

  • Covance
    Delivery Days: Wednesdays

  • Kons Scientific
    Frogs
    Delivery Days: On request - no Monday delivery

  • Connecticut Valley
    Delivery Days: On request - no Monday delivery

  • Sullivan
    Delivery Days: On request - no Monday delivery

  • Lemberger Company
    Delivery Days: On request - no Monday delivery

  • Spafas (Charles River)
    Chicks
    Delivery Day: Wednesday

  • Elm Hill Breeding Labs
    Guinea Pigs
    Delivery Days: Tuesday, Thursday