Research@UIC > OACIB > ACC > Important Updates and Reminders

Important Updates and Reminders

UPDATES

1. FORMS: New versions of ACC protocol forms and appendices are now available.Periodically the ACC must review and update ACC protocol forms and appendices to ensure that the UIC Animal Care and Use Program is in full compliance with all federal regulations. As of March 1, 2006, only the versions of the ACC protocol forms and appendices indicated in the table below will be accepted for submission of new protocols or modifications. Protocols or modifications submitted after this date will be returned to the investigator without review. If a protocol or modification has been previously submitted and is undergoing the review process, revisions may be submitted on the version of the form originally submitted.
   
   All new forms are available on the ACC web site. Acceptable version numbers are listed below:

2. FUNDING and PROTOCOLS: To ensure that the UIC is in compliance with the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and NIH Grants Policy, all funding sources listed on ACC protocols will be compared to the protocol for congruence. At the time of an award, all work involving animals must be covered by an approved ACC protocol. A protocol can have additional studies, but it may not have less. Investigators may be contacted by a member of the ACC office to request a copy of the funding application, to review an issue of non-congruence, or to request a modification to a protocol to ensure congruence. Investigators are encouraged to respond promptly to these requests to avoid delays in protocol approval. Protocol and modification approval letters will now indicate funding sources and the Office of Research Services will be copied on approvals to ensure that information provided to funding agencies related to approval for animal studies is correct. For additional information regarding this issue, please see the ACC Policy on Protocol Submission and Grant Review (http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ovcr/research/protocolreview/acc/index.shtml) or contact the ACC office at 312-996-1972.

REMINDERS

1. All investigators using animals are reminded that prior to the initiation of the use of animals in research, testing and teaching that the work being conducted must be covered by an approved protocol. Conducting research that is unapproved is considered a serious matter by the ACC and could result in the suspension of the investigator’s ACC protocol and notification of the funding agency. Investigators are reminded to take the following steps to ensure that work with animals conducted in by members of their laboratory is in compliance:
   
   
   1. A copy of the approved protocol must be accessible to all members of the laboratory using animals and these members should be familiar with the nature of the approved work.
   2. Keep protocols current with research. When changes in animal studies are required, submit modifications for review and approval prior to the initiation of the change. For guidance on modification of currently approved protocols, please see the ACC Guidelines on Modifications (http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ovcr/research/protocolreview/acc/policies/index.shtml) or contact the ACC office at 312-996-1972.
   3. Only initiate work when final approval has been obtained.
      
      
2. When adding personnel to approved protocols, investigators are reminded of the following:
   
   
   
   
   1. Personnel need to be added to the approved protocol prior to initiating the work. If personnel lack expertise and require training, the personnel responsible for providing that training need to be indicated.
   2. List the specific procedures that the new personnel will be responsible for conducting.
   3. If investigators have more than one protocol, personnel must be added to each protocol under which they will work with animals. A single modification can be submitted for this purpose provided that each ACC number and title is listed and the procedures to be performed under each protocol are clearly delineated.
   4. New personnel must have completed mandatory ACC training prior to approval of their addition to a protocol. This training is available online (http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ovcr/research/protocolreview/acc/education/index.shtml) and differs from orientation training provided by the veterinary staff.
   5. Investigators are encouraged to submit addition of personnel modifications separate from other modifications. Addition of personnel modifications are eligible for administrative approval, but other modifications, depending on the nature of the requested changes, may require committee approval. Submission of a separate modification will speed the approval time.
      
      
3. Investigators are reminded that the only approved source of CO2 for the purposes of euthanasia is from a compressed gas cylinder. CO2 proposed by dry ice or other sources is not acceptable.
   
   
4. Investigators planning new research studies involving special housing needs (e.g., biohazards, chemical hazards, etc.) are encouraged to discuss the research with the veterinary and/or ACC staff to ensure that your needs can be met and that they are aware of additional concerns that may need to be addressed.

Last updated: Tuesday, December 12, 2006.