Office of Research and Sponsored Projects

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

Application Process

IACUC supervises animal research in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Welfare Act and its amendments, which are administered by the USDA through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and regulations in the Health Research Extension Act and its amendments, which are administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW.). Prior to the initiation of any live vertebrate animal research at TAMIU, the IACUC has the responsibility to review and approve, require modifications to, or withhold approval to animal care and use protocols and to inspect all of the animal facilities at least once every six months.

The use of live vertebrate animals is essential to the teaching, extension, and research missions of Texas A&M International University. Significant benefits to the health and welfare of both animals and humans have resulted from animal use in research, and continued use is crucial to future advancements. Each faculty member, staff member, or student involved in the use of live vertebrate animals is directly responsible for promoting and protecting their welfare within the instructional, extension, and research programs of the University. Those who use animals should assume this responsibility through precept and example. The following policy provides guidance for the proper care and humane use of live vertebrate animals within University programs.

Texas A&M International University policy requires the submission and approval of an Animal Protocol Application for all activities involving the use of live vertebrate animals at TAMIU or by TAMIU faculty, staff, and students. "Use" includes both unfunded and funded (either externally or internally) activities such as research, teaching, or public service. "Use" also includes animals being bred, conditioned, or held for future use.

The TAMIU IACUC meets twice yearly in June and December. Therefore, it is prudent to submit the forms to the IACUC as soon as the need is anticipated. All protocols must be submitted to the IACUC no later than 10 days before the meeting (contact iacuc@tamiu.edu to find out the next meeting date). The IACUC cannot expedite the review of an application because the investigator failed to submit it in time. It is the responsibility of the principal investigator (PI) to submit a protocol with sufficient lead time to meet all University and agency deadlines.

Most use of live vertebrate animals at TAMIU requires prior IACUC approval.

Procedure 

1. Submit an Animal Protocol Application in CAYUSE system
   
2. Complete the TAMIU Medical Health Questionnaire and have a current tetanus vaccine
3. Submit page 2 of the TAMIU Medical Health Questionnaire to the principal investigator (PI) on the Animal Protocol Application and page 3 of the Questionnaire to the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (KL 426).
4. All personnel on Animal Protocol Applications who will enter an animal facility or directly handle animals must:
   • complete the applicable CITI IACUC Training
   • submit the TAMIU Medical Health Questionnaire pages to PI (page 2) and submit page 3 to the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (KL426)
   • have a current tetanus vaccine prior to the initiation of any animal research
5. Any new personnel joining the lab must be added to the protocol using CAYUSE amendment form, complete CITI IACUC Training, submit the TAMIU Medical Health Questionnaire as described above, and have a current tetanus vaccine prior to the initiation of any animal research.

Initial review process

1. All new protocols are reviewed by the entire committee. In addition, the IACUC may send the protocol to an outside reviewer who is an expert in that area of animal research techniques.
2. After review, one of three outcomes is possible: approval with no modifications, modifications required, or disapproval.
   1. Approval with no modifications - The protocol meets all standards and is approved without modifications by the full committee.
   2. Modifications required to secure approval - Modifications are required to secure approval, with the revised documents to be reviewed by the IACUC Chair (or designated member) or by Full Committee. PI is notified in writing of the required changes that must be made to the protocol.
   3. Disapproval – The reasons for disapproval are given to the PI.
3. Upon approval, the PI will receive written notification and is responsible for submitting an Continuing Review form on the 1st and 2nd anniversary date of the approval, and submission of a De Novo (renewal) application prior to the third anniversary if principal investigator wants to keep that line of research active. Failure to submit the renewal in time for review prior to the third anniversary will result in protocol closure.

Amendment to protocols

Any changes in the protocol procedures, number of animals, or personnel require the submission of the CAYUSE Amendment Form. In addition to the amendment form, for additions of new personnel, the TAMIU Medical Health Questionnaire must also be submitted to the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (KL426), completion of the CITI IACUC Training, and a current tetanus vaccine are all required prior to the initiation of any animal research by the new personnel.

For minor amendments (personnel changes), the IACUC Chair will review and approve.  For more significant amendments, IACUC staff will:

1. Notify all members of the IACUC in writing that an amendment has been submitted. This written notification shall contain, at a minimum, the title of the study and the number of the amendment.
2. The IACUC staff will forward a copy of the amendment and parent protocol to any member of the IACUC who requests such information.

Members of the IACUC may request:

1. Addition of the amendment to the agenda for discussion at the next full committee meeting.
2. If a full committee review is not requested by any member of the IACUC within 10 business days, the review may be carried out using a designated-member review method.

Designated-Member Review Method: The Chair, or one or more experienced reviewers designated by the Chair from among the members of the IACUC, shall carry out the review. Any IACUC member who has a conflicting interest shall not participate in the review of that amendment except to provide information requested by the IACUC. The IACUC Designated Reviewer(s) shall have the same responsibilities and authority as the full IACUC, except for disapproval.