Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The LSU Institutional Animal Care and use Committee (IACUC) has developed a series of policies and procedures as guidelines for review of projects that involve the use of animals in research and teaching at LSU. These policies form the basis for the IACUC review and approval of animal use protocols. 

LSU’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) reviews all research and teaching activities that involve vertebrate animals. IACUC approval is required in advance for all activities conducted by faculty, staff, or students, regardless of location and funding source.

LSU is committed to ensuring that vertebrate animals involved in research and teaching receive humane care and treatment. Animal facilities are registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as required by the Federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). This Act provides guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals, their proper disposition, and recordkeeping.

IACUC Resources

Contacts and Overview

Contacts

Dr. Colin Mitchell, Interim IACUC Chair

Ms. Krista Adams, IACUC Manager

Dr. Rhett Stout, Attending Veterinarian

EMAIL IACUC

Overview

Effective immediately, the LSU IACUC has instituted the following important changes in the animal protocol approval process:

Animal Use Protocols will only be required at the time of submission of a grant application if the funding agency requires it. If the funding agency (e.g., NIH and NSF) does not require protocol approval until a grant application is approved for an award, you do not need to submit a protocol before that time. The investigator will determine whether an approved protocol is required at the time of grant submission or only at the time of grant award.

It is recommended that when you know that a grant application is going to be funded, you then submit an animal use protocol. The Office of Sponsored Programs cannot accept or release funds until the protocol has been approved. 

Even if a protocol is not required at the time of grant application, Ms. Krista Adams in DLAM is required to sign your electronic routing sheet. she will indicate "Just-In-Time" for "Vertebrate Animals" use. The OSP cannot process your grant application unless they know that a protocol is not needed until the award is made.

These changes do not affect projects for which funds are already in hand (e.g. departmental funds), or as indicated above, for grant applications for which animal use protocols are required by the funding agency at the time of grant submission (e.g. USDA and others).

Remember that you must have an approved animal use protocol before animals can be obtained or used for teaching or research purposes, regardless of funding source.

If you anticipate that a grant application will be funded and there may be a short "turn-around" time between notification and establishment of an account (e.g. internal awards), you can request that the IACUC review your protocol before the award is made.

At the time you submit an animal use protocol, you will also be asked to submit one copy of any grant(s) funding the work described in the protocol. The University must assure the federal government that all of the animal work described in your grant(s) is covered under an approved Animal Use Protocol. We will do a sided-by-side comparison of your grant(s) and animal use protocol(s) to verify congruency and meet this requirement. The animal use protocol will not be approved by the IACUC until congruency has been verified.

Clearly, these changes are intended to: 1) eliminate the need for investigators to write animal use protocols for projects that are never funded; 2) reduce the time spent by the IACUC members reviewing and discussing protocols; and 3) establish a mechanism to assure that animal use described in grants is covered by an approved animal use protocol, in accordance with federal law. 

Education and Training

All investigators and research personnel listed on an Animal Use Protocol submitted to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) are required to complete all applicable training courses prior to protocol approval.

Who Must Receive Training

The Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWAR), the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals all stipulate that all personnel involved in animal research should be adequately trained.

In accordance with IACUC policy, all personnel conducting animal-based research must complete an investigator training course and verify their training, experience and skills in the care and use of the animals and techniques they are responsible for. Failure to assure the education component of our assurance is considered noncompliance, and has the potential to negatively affect funding opportunities for Louisiana State University faculty, staff, and students. It is the PI’s responsibility to ensure all individuals engaged in research have been added to an approved IACUC protocol and are appropriately trained to participate in protocol procedures.

Types of Training

AALAS Learning Library

The LSU IACUC has determined that appropriate training includes training not only in the procedures to be used, but also in the principles of animal use. The IACUC has determined that triennial testing via the AALAS Learning Library class “Working with the IACUC at LSU” provides the teaching and research staff with adequate training in the principles of humane animal use. A new protocol will not be approved until all personnel listed on the protocol have successfully completed the online training requirements.

To request enrollment instructions for the AALAS Learning Library, please complete the Learning Library Training Form located in the next tab. If a user experiences a barrier due to a disability, please contact the IACUC office at [email protected] or by calling 225-578-9643.

Animal Wet Lab Training

The Federal Animal Welfare Act, The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, as well as other regulations, require that persons working with laboratory animals must be trained and experienced. For example, the Guide 8th Ed. (p.15) states:

“All personnel involved with the care and use of animals must be adequately educated, trained, and/or qualified in basic principles of laboratory animal science to help ensure high-quality science and animal well-being.”

The wet lab will be conducted by a DLAM faculty or resident veterinarian or by an expert outside of DLAM with particular proficiency with the animal and procedure to be used.

To request animal wet lab training, please complete the Animal Wet Lab Training Form located in the next tab.

Request AALAS Enrollment in the Learning Library

To request enrollment instructions for the AALAS Learning Library, please complete the form below. Upon submission, you will receive an email with enrollment instructions. You must follow these instructions to create an account in the AALAS Learning Library. Once your account is created and approved, you will then have access to the AALAS Learning Library.

Request Animal Wet Lab Training

Policy for the Care and Use of Animals

The Use of Animals in Teaching, Research, or Service is a Privilege, Not a Right!

Louisiana State University endorses and complies with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) position statement regarding animal welfare, and complies with the guidelines as stated in the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 2011. This institution also endorses the position of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) regarding animal welfare, and complies with the provisions of the School of veterinary Medicine, Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine Investigator Handbook and Procedures Manual (Investigators Handbook tab).

In addition, this institution is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC), indicating verified compliance with the requirements for the proper care and treatment of all vertebrate laboratory animals, irrespective of species, location, investigator, use or funding source. 

Louisiana State University (LSU) has an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee which is responsible for the review and approval of all research projects conducted within the facilities of LSU.

The University endorses and complies with the provisions of the animal Welfare Act of 1966 as amended; the AVMA Position Statement, JAVMA, Vol. 183, 12:1384-85, 1983, approved by the AVMA Executive Board on October 29, 1983, and the AVMA Position Statement on Food Animal Agriculture, approved as the report of the AAVMC Committee of Animal Use, 1987; the AAALAC guidelines as stated in the NIH Publication No. 85-23, the Guide for the Care and use of Laboratory Animals, adopted as the standard for the accreditation program; and the School of Veterinary Medicine Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine Investigator Handbook and Procedures Manual. 

IACUC POLICIES

IACUC Forms

The IACUC uses the GeauxGrants IACUC module to develop and route animal care and use protocols, amendments, submit annual reviews, personnel request, etc. By using the GeauxGrants platform, investigators will be able to connect their Sponsored Programs proposals to their animal care and use protocols. 

All animal care and use protocols must be routed for review and approval using the GeauxGrants system.

GEAUXGRANTS

BIOHAZARD SAFETY POSTING FORM FOR ANIMAL ROOMS

FIELD RESEARCH SAFETY PLAN (MS WORD)

FAQs

How often does the IACUC meet?

The committee is scheduled to meet monthly on the second Tuesday of each month.  

What is the deadline for submitting an IACUC protocol for review by the committee?

A protocol application can be submitted anytime during the month but must be received by the first Monday of the month by 5:00 p.m. for consideration in the upcoming IACUC meeting.  Protocols reviewed after this deadline are likely not to be reviewed until the following meeting. 

How soon after the meeting can I expect to hear back from the IACUC?

The IACUC Manager will follow-up within 2-5 business days following the meeting.  No work may begin on a project until an approval has been issued and all personnel have completed the appropriate training.

What type of animal activities require an IACUC review and approval?

If vertebrate animals are being used in a University activity, an application must be submitted to the IACUC committee for review and approval. 

University activities involving the use of vertebrate animals at other institutions must receive IACUC approvals by both the cooperating institution and Louisiana State University.

Who can be a Principal Investigator on an IACUC Application?

Since the PI responsibilities involve direct interaction and supervision of the research team, the PI must be current faculty of the University. Per the LSU Board of Supervisor’s Rules and Regulations manual, faculty includes full-time members of the academic staff on the various campuses with the rank of Instructor or above and equivalent ranks. The following individuals can serve as PI:

  • Tenure-track or Clinical-track Professors (Full Professors, Associate Professors or Assistant Professors)
  • Research Professors, Associate Research Professors, or Assistant Research Professors
  • Senior Research Scientists or Research Scientist
  • Senior Research Engineers or Research Engineers
  • Emeritus Faculty (approval letter from Departmental Chair/Head, Dean, etc. required)
  • Instructors
  • Anyone holding the title of Curator, Associate Curator and Assistant Curator

Note: Adjunct Professors may not serve as PI for research projects and cannot submit a Protocol.

Where can I find the IACUC Protocol Application?

The IACUC Protocol application is located in the Laboratory Animals module of the online GeauxGrants system.  

How do I submit an IACUC Protocol Application?

IACUC Protocol submissions are received through the Laboratory Animals module of the online GeauxGrants system. 

Do I need an IACUC approval for field studies or behavioral studies?

Yes, any University activity involving the use of vertebrate animals require IACUC approval. 

Field research investigators must fill out and turn in a Field Research Safety Plan. This document must be submitted to the IACUC along with their animal care and use proposal. 

FIELD RESEARCH SAFETY PLAN (MS WORD)

What are the training requirements in order to conduct animal research?

The LSU IACUC has determined that appropriate training includes training not only in the procedures to be used, but also in the principles of animal use. The IACUC has determined that triennial testing via the AALAS Learning Library course "Working with the IACUC at LSU" provides the teaching and research staff with adequate training in the principles of humane animal use. A new protocol will not be approved until all personnel listed on the protocol have successfully completed the online training requirements. 

In addition, hands on training is required to demonstrate proficiency in general animal handling.  Prior to commencement of the project, personnel to perform procedures on live animals will schedule a wet lab with the DLAM Chief Clinical Veterinarian.  Principal Investigators may request exemption from wet lab training based on previous training and experience.  Investigators requesting an exemption should submit in writing a signed request for exemption describing in narrative format the training and experience of persons to be exempted.  Request should be emailed to [email protected]. All exemption request will be reviewed and a recommendation will be made to the IACUC by the Attending Veterinarian.

Visit the Education and Training tab for additional information and to request access to the AALAS Learning Library and to request animal wet lab training. The online course must be completed prior to requesting wet lab training.

Who is required to participate in the Occupational Health and Safety Program?

Participation in the Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP) is mandatory for all personnel working with LSU-owned and field-based animals utilized in teaching, research, and testing, as well as for personnel who may be exposed to chemical or infectious animal waste. Program participants include facility services personnel, animal caretakers, principal investigators, scientific technical staff, graduate students, student workers, and post-doctoral and visiting scientists. For complete program information, please visit the OHSP tab.

How often do I need to renew my animal protocol?

An annual review form must be filed annually for review by the IACUC.  Protocols must be updated and resubmitted for full IACUC review every three years with justification provided if the research activities remain the same.

Note: A protocol may be suspended if the Principal Investigator does not return the required Annual Review form.  The protocol will expire if the Principal Investigator does not submit a three-year renewal application prior to the protocol expiration date. 

What do I do if my protocol expires or is withdrawn from consideration?

If a protocol expires or is withdrawn from consideration, no animal activities may be conducted until a new IACUC Application is approved by the IACUC.  The Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring that his/her approval does not lapse.

How do I add/remove personnel from my IACUC protocol?

Any protocol changes, including adding and removing personnel, should be submitted using the GeauxGrants IACUC module.

Note: Additional personnel are required to complete the required training (see "What are required training requirements in order to conduct animal research?" above) and to enroll in the Occupational Health and Safety Program (see "Who is required to participate in Occupational Health and Safety Program?" above).