General information about the IACUC

What is the IACUC?

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a federally-mandated committee charged with ensuring the humane care and use of live, vertebrate animals at UNCW.  Faculty members from a variety of scientific and non-scientific disciplines and at least one community representative serve on this university committee to review and approve research projects involving live, vertebrate animals. The Office of Research Services and Sponsored Programs (ORSSP) is the administrative office that coordinates the activities of the IACUC.

All research projects conducted by UNCW researchers (including student research) involving live, vertebrate animals must be approved by the IACUC.  ORSSP will not accept funding for this type of research from an external agency without documentation of IACUC approval.

Why does this concern me?

UNCW has assured the U.S. Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare that it will follow all regulations pertaining to the humane use of live vertebrate animals.  UNCW also has high standards for conducting research and protecting the animals we use in our research.  Even if you do not conduct research that involves live vertebrate animals, it is important for UNCW faculty members and staff to be aware of the institution’s program for the humane care and use of animals.

Who do I call with questions?

Any questions or concerns pertaining to the humane care and use of animals in research should be directed to Leanne Prete (regulatory compliance officer) at 962-7774 or Dr. Tom Lankford (IACUC Chair) at 962-2381.

What research animals require IACUC approval?

The IACUC approves any use of live, vertebrate animals for research, teaching, training or experiments.  The IACUC must also approve incidental use of animals, such as fish bycatch when studying invertebrates.  The IACUC helps researchers plan their research so that they are using the minimum number of animals required to get valid scientific results, and helps researchers find the most humane way to care and use the animals. The IACUC also ensures that everyone on the research team has the appropriate training to conduct the research on animals.

What kind of animals are normally used in UNCW research?

Although current UNCW research is conducted on species that are exempt from the requirements, such as ordinary breeds of rats and mice, as well as birds, fishes and other species not covered by the Animal Welfare Act Regulations, UNCW follows AWAR and PHS Policy standards for all live vertebrate animals.

What kind of care is provided to animals by researchers?

UNCW maintains high standards for the care of animals in animal research. Animals are maintained in clean, comfortable housing and great care is given to ensure they are treated in the most humane way possible. Many animal research projects at UNCW are extremely beneficial to animals and animals are released unharmed, such as fish and bird population studies, a porpoise release program where data is collected while helping porpoises escape fish nets, and evaluations of turtle nesting, foraging and breeding habits.

If I am working with animal tissues only, do I still need IACUC approval? What if I am purchasing animals that are already dead?

The IACUC only reviews research that involves the use of live, vertebrate animals. Researchers who are obtaining tissues from a tissue bank are not required to obtain IACUC approval. This is also true for researchers who are purchasing animals that are already dead, such as buying fish from the market to obtain tissues. In contrast, if a researcher catches live fish and euthanizes them to obtain tissue samples, the researcher must seek IACUC approval.

What types of animals fall under IACUC regulations?

ALL live, vertebrate animals fall under IACUC regulations.  This is stated in UNCW's Assurance of Compliance, the PHS Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and in UNCW's IACUC policy.

Is IACUC approval required for vertebrate animals used in teaching, or just research?

UNCW IACUC policy requires IACUC approval for vertebrate animals used in research, research training, experimentation, teaching, biological testing or other purposes.

I am planning a research project that will involve live, vertebrate animals.  What am I required to do?

First, any member of the research team who will handle live, vertebrate animals is required to complete an online training course offered by the University of Miami’s Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).  The link to CITI and instructions on how to properly register for the correct course can be found on the training page of this website: http://www.uncw.edu/orssp/conduct-animal-training.html.

The principal investigator (PI) must indicate the date each research team member completed training on the Application to Use Live Vertebrate Animals Form ("protocol" form).  After completing the protocol form, the PI submits an electronic copy to the regulatory compliance officer in ORSSP. The IACUC's attending veterinarian will conduct a pre-review of the application and the PI may revise the protocol according to the AV's recommendations if desired. If the PI makes any revisions, the PI must submit the revised copy to the regulatory compliance officer by the final submission deadline. The PI must ensure that ORSSP receives a signed hard copy of the final version prior to the IACUC meeting date. The PI may be asked to attend the meeting to answer committee questions.

PIs should be mindful of IACUC submission deadlines so that they can secure IACUC approval prior to their desired start date. Submission deadlines and meeting dates are posted on the IACUC Homepage.

What are the different types of IACUC review?

There are two types of IACUC review:  designated review and full IACUC review at a convened meeting.  Protocols are placed on the agenda for the next meeting unless any delay in doing so would create a problem for the researcher.  If the researcher is unable to wait for the next scheduled meeting, a meeting may be called.  If the activities qualify for designated review, the committee may authorize this in lieu of a review at a convened meeting. All members of the IACUC have an opportunity to review protocols received and may request review at a convened meeting for any reason.  When the IACUC authorizes designated review, the IACUC Chair may designate a reviewer or team of reviewers, or conduct the review him/herself.  Designated review is a thorough review process. The designated review may not disapprove research. If the designated reviewer must refer the protocol to the full committee if he/she is unable to approve it.

Researchers may NOT make their own determination as to the appropriate type of review. Only the IACUC members can authorize designated review.

Who needs to complete the required online IACUC training?

Any person on the research team who will handle live, vertebrate animals must, at a minimum, complete the "Working with the IACUC" training program offered by the University of Miami's Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).  PIs may require members of the research team to complete additional courses. The IACUC will not review a protocol until training documentation is on file at ORSSP.  This requirement includes any faculty, staff, students, or collaborators from other institutions. The training page of this website provides instructions on how to properly register for the CITI course.

How often do I need to renew my training?

At this time there is no expiration to your completion certificate.  However, since the new training course has refresher courses available, this may change in the future. Some institutions require refresher training after 3 years, so if you conduct research at another institution they may consider your training expired if completed more than three years ago.

Who do I send my completion certificate to?

If you are a research assistant on a project, the principal investigator may ask you to provide him or her with a hard copy of the completion certificate. You are strongly encouraged to keep a hard copy for your own records as well.

You are no longer required to submit a hard copy of your completion certificate to ORSSP if you complete the CITI training and identify the University of North Carolina Wilmington as the participating institution. When you complete the course for which you registered, the regulatory compliance officer will receive an email notification directly from CITI. This notification is considered "official" documentation of your training.

However, if you completed the CITI training through a participating institution other than the University of North Carolina Wilmington, ORSSP will not be able to access those records. There are several options available for this situation and you should contact the regulatory compliance officer, Leanne Prete, to see what is best for you (962-7774 or pretel@uncw.edu).

Are IACUC members required to complete additional training?

Yes. The IACUC Member learner group has more modules than any other group. IACUC members must complete all of the required modules. If a new IACUC member previously completed the "Working with the IACUC" course, the IACUC member only needs to complete the additional modules required for IACUC members.

What do I do if something unexpected happens with an animal during my project?

If an animal becomes ill or unextectedly dies, the PI is required to notify the attending veterinarian as soon as possible. If the problem is very serious, the PI or another responsible person must also contact the regulatory compliance officer.

I need to make a minor change to procedures that were already approved by the IACUC.  Do I need to notify the IACUC?

Yes. PIs should email the regulatory compliance officer and describe any proposed changes prior to making the change, unless making the change is immediately necessary to avoid distress or pain to the animals. Most changes can be approved by the IACUC chair. Significant changes to a protocol may require submission of an updated protocol form and review by the IACUC.

Why does my protocol expire after three years even though my grant is continuing?

PHS Policy and UNCW IACUC policy require a complete review of ongoing activities at least once every three years. Like many other universities, UNCW requires this complete review to be conducted through the submission of a new protocol form. Therefore, all protocol forms expire after three years regardless of the grant cycle, so that a complete review of animal activities may be conducted.

What is an Assurance?

An Assurance is an agreement with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare to operate an animal care program in accordance with certain policies and principles.

What does UNCW's Assurance to OLAW agree to?

UNCW's Assurance of Compliance with Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals states that UNCW will follow the USDA Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations, the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the National Research Council's Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals for ALL live, vertebrate animals.

The Assurance also sets out the organization of the UNCW IACUC and lists certain procedurs and policies of the IACUC.

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