Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is established and authorized by the Laboratory Director.  Its jurisdiction includes all research involving live, vertebrate animals performed at or in conjunction with Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and its employees, regardless of the Principal Investigator's (PI) appointment or relationship with  BNL.  Its purpose is to review and approve the Laboratory's animal program and facilities, and review and approve each research protocol that involves animals to assure that it will be conducted in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (.pdf) and that the protocol is consistent with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals ("Guide").   In addition, all research involving animals  must comply with the Public Heath Service (PHS) "Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals". 

The IACUC is guided by the principles set forth in the Laboratory's Assurance between Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC (BSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).  This Assurance defines the responsibilities of the Office of Research Administration (ORA).  The IACUC follows policies and procedures as outlined in the IACUC Policies and Procedures Manual and research is conducted according to the Animal Care and Use Program.

The Standards Based Management System (SBMS) for Animal Research is a step by step guide for Principal Investigators conducting research with laboratory animals.   Instructions for submitting protocols to the IACUC are detailed on the SBMS and the applications forms are found below.  The forms should be submitted electronically to the IACUC, but a hard copy containing required signatures must also be sent.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), in conjunction with OLAW, has provided a step by step Guide (.doc) to the preparation of an NIH application that covers such topics as considering alternatives, obtaining assurances and IACUC approval, just in time processes, NIH review of animal subjects applications, grant awards, IACUC monitoring of awards, and reporting requirements.  Although designed specifically for NIAID applicants, the information is relevant to any investigator submitting an application to the NIH for an activity involving animals.  You may insert the NIH paragraph (.doc) in Section F Vertebrate Animals for information specific to BNL.

Protocols are reviewed under the following review processes:

Initial Review: A new protocol is forwarded to the IACUC for an initial review.

Addendum Review: This review is required whenever a Principal Investigator changes an approved protocol for any reason.

Continuing Review: Each protocol must be reviewed by the IACUC at a minimum of once a year.  At the time of an Initial or Addendum Review, the IACUC will determine an appropriate certification period (no greater than one year) based on the parameters of the protocol.

Triennial Review:  Each protocol must be submitted on a new application from once every three years.  This application is processed as an initial review.
 
The Brookhaven Laboratory Animal Facility (BLAF) is located in Building 490 and is operated by the Medical Department.  Please reference the BLAF Policies and Procedures Manual for specifics on beginning an animal research protocol.

 For all studies involving the use of the microMRI, please review the microMRI Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).   Any planned deviation from this SOP must be addressed and justified in the protocol.  For basic microMRI imaging of rodents with no interventions, please use the MicroMRI application below.

Below  are the only official versions  of the submission forms.  Always use the  most current version of the form for submission.

• IACUC Application (Form 001)
• Summary Form  (Form 003)
• Addendum Form (Form 004)
• Personnel Addition (Form 006)
• Annual Status (Form 005)
• MicroMRI Application (Form 001A)

Use the "Instructions for Completing a Protocol" for guidance.

The IACUC generally meets once a month. Please use the following list to determine dates for submission to the IACUC.

Other Sites Regarding Animal Research

• United States Department of Agriculture Animal Health
• National Institutes of Health/Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
• Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research
• PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Frequently Asked Questions

For information, please contact IACUC@bnl.gov

Last Modified: March 18, 2008

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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