Animal Care & Use at UMass Boston
All proposed research and teaching activities involving the use of vertebrate animals requires review and approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). This includes the use of animals housed and maintained in approved university animal facilities as well as studies conducted on vertebrate animals in their natural settings. In its review of proposed research activities involving animals, the IACUC observes the principles articulated in the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resource Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Once approved by the IACUC, any proposed modifications to an approved protocol require further review and approval by the IACUC prior to implementation.
All researchers are asked to work in conjunction with the IACUC by following the policies and procedures and using the forms provided on this site.
Apply to the IACUC
There is an application and approval process for all animal research conducted at UMass Boston. Federal regulation requires that all animal research undergo a 3-year rewrite. The 3-year rewrite application includes the same documentation as the initial application.
The UMass Boston IACUC has two forms of review for new applications and 3 YR re-writes: full committee review and designated member review.
1. Full Committee Review (FCR): Studies undergoing full review are typically those that pose greater than minimal risk to animals or some or all of the research procedures fall under USDA categories D& E.
2. Designated Member Review (DMR): Per OLAW guidelines, studies undergoing designated member review may occur only after all IACUC members have been provided with a list of the protocols to be reviewed and have an opportunity to call for FCR. If FCR is not requested, the veterinarian and at least one other member of the IACUC designated by the Chair conduct the review. DMR may result in approval, require modifications in (to secure approval), or request FCR.
The UMass Boston Animal Program utilizes the Kuali online submission program for IACUC protocols.
Managing Your IACUC Protocol
Now that you have received your IACUC approval, here are the steps to take to manage your protocol.
Minor Modifications
Minor modifications can be submitted to the IACUC administrator for review and approval. Some examples of minor modifications are a change (≤ 10%) in animal numbers, addition/deletion of procedure that is less invasive than already approved, transfer of animals to another PI (if same strains are approved for both PIs), and addition/removal in project personnel.
Note - for a timely approval for project personnel to be added to a protocol, please ensure CITI trainings have been completed and Occupational Health and Safety form has been submitted.
Significant Modifications
Per federal regulations, once an IACUC protocol has received approval, any subsequent changes to the study must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC prior to implementation. An updated protocol should be submitted with changes requested highlighted.
3 Year Re-write
IACUC protocols are approved for a total of 3 years. If the study is ongoing, a new application needs to be submitted to the IACUC for review. IACUC protocols will expire on its expiration date if a three-year renewal application has not been reviewed and approved. During a lapse in approval, animals are placed on a holding protocol and are off limits to investigators and research personnel. No experimental use or observation of animals may take place during a protocol lapse period.
Post approval Monitoring
Monitoring of animal care and use is required by the PHS Policy. The Guide (p. 33) describes methods for post approval monitoring to include "continuing protocol review; laboratory inspections (conducted either during regular facilities inspections or separately); veterinary or IACUC observation of selected procedures; observation of animals by animal care, veterinary, and IACUC staff and members; and external regulatory inspections and assessments."
Research Personnel Requirements
Below are the 4 steps that should be taken to have research personnel added to an IACUC protocol and gain access to the animal facility. In order to be in compliance with IACUC policy, all personnel must obtain IACUC approval before working with animals or entering the animal facility.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Enrollment Form
Each individual submits this form to Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) via email for review and clearance. Allow 5-7 business days for processing from submit date. If CHA needs additional information, they will reach out to the individual directly otherwise a clearance will be sent to the IACUC administrator.
CITI Training
All UMass Boston researchers, staff, and students who are engaged in research involving animal use are required to complete these CITI training modules every three (3) years; Working with the IACUC, Responsible Conduct of Research and a species-specific module -- select the species module(s) appropriate for your research. Modules completed at a different institution can be transferred for credit by the user affiliating themselves with ‘University of Massachusetts Boston’ within CITI.
Submit IACUC Protocol Modification
Modification After OHS enrollment form and trainings have been completed, PI can submit an IACUC protocol modification. Once approval has been obtained, the PI will be notified via email that new personnel are approved to work on the IACUC protocol and that they can request access to the animal facilities, if needed.
Animal Facility Tour and Access
Request After IACUC approval has been attained, each individual will need to participate in an animal facility tour prior to working with animals. The PI (or delegate, with CC to PI) can schedule a tour and request access to the animal facility by emailing Elizabeth Boates.
View Research Personnel Requirements
Occupational Health & Safety
The Occupational Health and Safety Program focuses on the health and safety of the university’s animal research community. There are known risks associated with exposure to research and teaching animals: allergic reactions, scratches, bites, zoonoses, etc. The goal of the program is to identify risks, implement safety controls, and provide training to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all personnel. This is accomplished by, one, offering comprehensive training and education opportunities and, two, contracting with board certified Occupational Medicine physicians to perform ongoing medical surveillance and risk assessments.
All UMass Boston researchers, staff, and students who are engaged in research involving animal use are required to complete the Occupational Health and Safety Enrollment Form prior to conducting any research.
Procedure and Forms
Fact Sheets for Animal Handlers
Semiannual Inspections
In order to maintain compliance with federal and state laws and university policy, the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) must perform scheduled inspections of all animal housing rooms, surgical suites, and support spaces.
Our inspections occur on a semiannual basis, in March and September, and are conducted by members of the IACUC. The IACUC follows the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the inspection checklist developed by OLAW to help manage the inspection process.
Several aspects, including but not limited to the following, are reviewed during laboratory inspections:
- Training of individuals in the laboratory
- The storage and expiration dates of pharmaceuticals
- Appropriate euthanasia methods
- Personnel and animal safety issues
- Appropriate record-keeping
- General laboratory maintenance
Any deficiencies identified during an inspection are classified as minor or significant and a reasonable and specific corrective action plan and schedule are provided to the PI. The IACUC will work with the PI through the corrective action plan to ensure compliance is accomplished. In addition to this process being a regulatory requirement, our IACUC aims to keep the semiannual evaluation relevant, engaged, and constructive to ultimately improve our animal care and use program.
Are you inspection ready?
Download the guides below to assist in preparation.
Animal Resources Core Facility (ARCF)
Animal Facility Issue Reporting Form
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the highest standards of care and maintenance within our Animal Research Care Facility (ARCF), we are always looking for ways to improve our reporting and resolution processes for any issues that may arise. With this in mind, we are excited to announce the integration of a new Facility Issue Report Form within the Kuali system. This form is designed to provide a streamlined and organized method for all faculty members to report any concerns related to the ARCF. Whether it's a facility issue, lighting malfunction, husbandry concern, or any other relevant matter, this form will ensure your concerns are documented and addressed promptly.
View Facility Issue Report FormContact IACUC
Questions regarding the IACUC or the conduct of research using vertebrate animals may be directed to iacuc@umb.edu.