The Animal Study Lifecycle

Managing Your Animal Study

• Amendment

  Investigators may not initiate any minor or significant changes in the

  step-by-step details of how a study will be conducted including objectives, design, procedures, measurements, management and analysis, as well as a discussion of relevant research ethics issues.

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  or procedures without prior IACUC approval, except where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject.  

  Internal IACUC Amendments must be submitted using ERMS-IACUC

  External IACUC Amendments: Submit an

  a formal process for changing a previously approved IRB or IACUC application.  Amendments require approval by the IRB or IACUC.

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  to the

  denotes the IACUC responsible for approval of a specific animal use protocol at a given institution.

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   (e.g., TBRI or VA) using their policies and procedures. 

• Admin Change - Personnel Change

  All

  a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.

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  personnel engaged in animal use activity must be listed on an approved IACUC

  step-by-step details of how a study will be conducted including objectives, design, procedures, measurements, management and analysis, as well as a discussion of relevant research ethics issues.

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  .

  Animal use training is required prior to IACUC approval and work with animals.

  Personnel changes must be submitted using ERMS-IACUC

• Animal Transfer and Relocation

  The DLAR animal transfer and relocation request are made using ORCA.
  To submit a transfer request in ORCA, you must be the PI, Co-PI, or a Delegate.

  Options:

  • Protocol Transfer (Internal) - Transfer animals from one protocol to another protocol
  • External Receipt - Receive animals from an external Vendor/Institute/University or UTHSA euthanasia pool
  • External Transfer – Transfer animals to an external Institute/University
  • Relocate Animals (Internal) – Move animals from one UTHSA room to another while remaining on the same protocol number

  Learn more about ORCA Animal Transfers & Relocation

• Progress Report

  Progress reports are due prior to the anniversary date of the IACUC approval for each

  step-by-step details of how a study will be conducted including objectives, design, procedures, measurements, management and analysis, as well as a discussion of relevant research ethics issues.

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  .

  Progress reports must be submitted using ERMS-IACUC.

• Prompt Report

  A

  A PI report notifying the institution and the designated IRB or IACUC when specific urgent issues are identified.

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  Form must be submitted for any perceived adverse events, unanticipated problems, possible

  conducting research in a manner that disregards or violates applicable federal regulations, failure to follow the requirements and determinations of the IRB or IACUC (as applicable), or applicable institutional policies and procedures (in the case of VA research it includes noncompliance with the requirements of the VA Handbook as applicable).

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  or other issues/events as they relate to the care and use of laboratory animals.

  The

  A PI report notifying the institution and the designated IRB or IACUC when specific urgent issues are identified.

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  Form can be accessed from the

  abbreviation for the VPR's Online Research Compliance Assistant application.

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  user’s dashboard and must be submitted using the ORCA submission mechanism.

• Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

  The UTHSA is committed to the ethical and humane care and use of animals in

  a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.

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  and teaching. Anyone having concerns regarding animal care or animal welfare should report their concerns immediately to:

  • Your supervisor
  • Lab Animal Resources Director 210-567‐6166
  • IACUC Chair, 210-567‐0259
  • Institutional Official, 210-567‐3720

  • Or anonymously, using UTHSCSA Compliance Hotline: 1‐877‐507‐ 7317

    For further guidance regarding the reporting of actual or perceived abuse or misuse of animals see the IACUC’s Whistleblower Policy. 

• Animal-Work Related Occupational Health Program

  All personnel who work in animal facilities, have contact with animals or animal tissue should know about this program.

  Occupational Health Program includes:

  • medical examinations
  • medical screenings
  • vaccinations
  • medical evaluation and treatment

  Learn more about the Occupational Health Program

   

• Research Integrity

  UT Health San Antonio strives to create a

  a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.

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  climate that promotes adherence to high ethical standards without inhibiting the productivity and creativity of persons involved in research.  ​​​

  If you have concerns regarding

  a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.

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  Misconduct (i.e.,

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  ,

  Manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.

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  , or

  includes both the theft or misappropriation of intellectual property and the substantial unattributed textual copying of another's work. (see detailed definition for specifics)

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  ) you should contact the Research Integrity Officer (RIO), Babatunde "Kay" Oyajobi, at oyajobi@uthscsa.edu.

  Learn more about the Research Integrity Program

• Inspections and Post Approval Monitoring

  Animal housing and procedure space are inspected by the IACUC every six months.  You will be notified prior to inspection dates.

  For more information about Semi Annual Facilities Inspections

  The Office of the Institutional Animal Care Program conducts random and for-cause compliance reviews.  If your study is selected, you will be contacted to make arrangements for the review.

  For more information about Post Approval Monitoring