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Research and Innovation

Research Compliance

IACUC Frequently Asked Questions

Regulations

  • What constitutes the "use of animals"

    • “Use of animals” is defined as any activity involving vertebrate animals in which the natural life style or movements of the animals is materially altered.
    • Use of animal carcasses, tissues, and fluids obtained specifically for research, testing, or teaching purposes are subject to review according to applicable regulations and may be determined to be “use of animals.”
    • If you are unsure if your project involves use of animals, contact the IACUC office at 361-593-2677 and or email at TAMUK.IACUC@tamuk.edu 

Animal Use Protocols (AUP) 

  • What types of species require an approved IACUC animal use protocol (AUP)?

    • Use of any living vertebrate animals must be submitted for evaluation by the IACUC. Use of carcasses, tissues, fluids, etc., of dead vertebrate animals, if the animal was sacrificed, or the animal tissue or fluid was procured solely and specifically for a research, teaching, or testing purpose, also may be covered.

  • How do I start an IACUC Animal Use Protocol submission?

    • Click on the IACUC Forms Link Here to be taken to our Forms webpage. At this time we are still requiring that the pdf forms be used for submission. We will be transitioning to Cayuse Animal Oversight in January 2025. 

  • Who can be listed as a Principal Investigator (PI)?

    • Principal investigators must have the technical expertise and administrative capacity to assume responsibility for successfully accomplishing all aspects of the project. They are accountable to the university for proper conduct of the project or activity and must have the authority to ensure appropriate animal care and use. Faculty or staff members who fall into one of these categories may be eligible to be considered as a PI.

      • faculty and other senior academic staff who would have fiscal responsibility and whose appointments include the design and direction of research and or teaching and or demonstration;

      • and senior administrative staff with the responsibility of design and management of projects.

    •  NOTE that graduate students are NOT authorized to be principal investigators.

  • Do I need to submit an amendment for changes to my AUP?

    • Yes, ALL changes will require and amendment submitted to the IACUC. An IACUC AUP Amendment form can be completed on our forms webpage here. All IACUC AUP Amendment applications are required to be approved prior to their implementation.
      • Examples of items requiring an amendment include, but are not limited to, adding and or deleting key personnel, increasing the number of animals used, adding species, adding or deleting experimental procedures, modifying the  anesthetics or analgesics regimen, changing housing locations, use locations, or any changes that affect the science of the study or the impact on the physiology of the animal.

  •  If I am concluded with the animal use on my AUP should I close the protocol?

    • If you are confident that animal use is completed and will have no further need for animal use on a protocol, then you may close the protocol. However, even if you are finished using animals it is not necessary to close the protocol, as future circumstances may cause you to wish to continue animal use (e.g., grant funding). Once an AUP is closed (deactivated) no animal work can be performed and no animals maintained under that AUP.

  • What happens if my current AUP expires before it is renewed and approved by the IACUC?

    • If your current AUP will expire prior to the approval of your renewal submission, you should contact Research Compliance at 361-593-2677 immediately. At the time the original AUP expires, all work involving the use of live animals must cease and any animals being kept on the protocol must be transferred to another appropriate and approved IACUC animal use protocol or disposed of.

    • Work utilizing animals may not resume until the renewal protocol is approved by the IACUC and the animals involved are transferred to an approved IACUC protocol which covers the entirety of the work to be performed.

Inspections and Post Approval Monitoring

  • When does the IACUC Inspect Facilities?

    • The IACUC conducts semi-annual facility inspections at least every 180 days.

  • What is Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM)?

    • Post-Approval Monitoring, or PAM, is to aid principal investigators (PIs) and facility managers stay compliant with their IACUC-approved animal use protocols and facilities, which helps TAMUK meet animal welfare regulations. A PAM visit is intended to be a collegial and supportive review of approved activities and an opportunity to educate and share information with investigators and research staff. Ultimately, the PAM program will confirm that the manner in which the IACUC understood and approved an animal protocol is consistent with the way procedures are being performed.

Personnel/Personnel Requirements

  • Who should be listed on my AUP?

    • The IACUC requires that an AUP lists the principal investigator (PI) responsible for the AUP and all individuals that are involved with the care and use of animals or use of animal tissues under the AUP. All personnel under the AUP must have completed the IACUC personnel requirements prior to their involvement with the care and use of animals and their approval to work on an AUP.

  • What are the training requirements for the personnel listed on my AUP?

    • All personnel listed on an AUP must complete the CITI online training program module Working with the IACUC and if applicable the species specific training. Information on the required training may be found online.