Lab Animal Resource Center

• Policies and Procedures (UTD Policy Navigator)
• IACUC Quarantine Policy (UTD Policy Navigator)
• IACUC Breeding Policy
• Care and Use of Animals in Research
• Obtaining IACUC Approval (Process)
• Lab Animal Resource Center
• Per Diem Rates

Standard Operation Procedures

• Hypothermia Cryoanesthesia
• Animal Transportation
• Vehicle Sanitation
• ABSL2
• ABSL2 Transportation
• Use of Non-Pharmaceutical Grade Compounds
• Blood Collection Guidelines
• Tail Biopsy
• EAE Models

Care and Use of Animals in Research

Researchers including faculty, staff, or students, who use live vertebrate animals in research, research training, experimentation, teaching, biological testing, or for other related purposes must have approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). No projects involving live vertebrate animals, either funded or non-funded, may take place without the approval of the IACUC. IACUC review has moved to an electronic platform, you may SSO login here.

The University of Texas at Dallas complies with the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and employs trained staff to work in the University’s Lab Animal Resource Center. Safeguarding the welfare of animals in research and related activities is of prime concern to The University of Texas at Dallas and shall be a responsibility of persons at all levels, including faculty, staff, and students. All such personnel will be held accountable for actions or lack thereof related to the care and use of laboratory animals in research activities. It is the policy of this University to maintain
appropriate review of procedures for the humane care of laboratory animals.

No animal may be purchased, housed, or used for research or related activities without the approval of the IACUC. The IACUC is charged with reviewing and approving or disapproving all research activities at UTD involving the use of animal subjects. No such projects may begin without the approval of the IACUC.

Obtaining IACUC Approval

Faculty and students wishing to use animal subjects must first obtain approval from the IACUC. A researcher must submit an animal subject protocol form to the IACUC through the Office of Research Integrity and Outreach.

Once the Office of Research Integrity and Outreach receives the protocol, it will be evaluated by the IACUC which may approve, disapprove, or request modifications to a protocol and related animal use activities. When reviewing an animal protocol, the IACUC considers the rationale and purpose of the proposed use of animals; justification of the species and number of animals requested; availability of less-invasive procedures and other species; safety of the working environment for personnel involved in the activity; adequacy of training and experience of personnel in the procedures to be used with the animals; appropriate sedation, analgesia, anesthesia, euthanasia, and surgical procedures; and, the unnecessary duplication of experiments.

Approval by the IACUC is given for a three-year period of time. Training is required annually of all animal users. Certification of tetanus vaccination is also required annually.

IACUC Animal Resource Center

How to obtain access for the
Lab Animal Resource Center:

A justifiable reason is required for obtaining access into the Lab Animal Resource Center. At least one of the following descriptions must be met in order to gain access into the facility:

A principal investigator, coinvestigator, research assistant or student listed on an IACUC approved protocol:

• A member of the IACUC staff
• Designated emergency personnel
• Institutional Official for Animal Care
• Federal, state, or local inspecting agencies

When at least one of the above descriptions has been met, follow these steps to obtain total access into the Lab Animal Resource Center:

• Enroll in the Occupational Health and Safety program, complete the online Occupational Health Program Enrollment – Intake Form.
• Receive required training by contacting the Office of Research Integrity and Outreach. The required training includes viewing training videos and orientation of the Lab Animal Resource Center. Please email Bob Willoughby at robert.willoughby@utdallas.edu.
• A facility access card will then be provided by the Office of Research Integrity and Outreach.

In order to bring a visitor in the Lab Animal Resource Center, the following must be met:

• The Office of Research Integrity and Outreach must be notified in advance to assure availability for the sign in procedures.
  • A student’s faculty sponsor must approve of the visit.
  • The visit must be for a justifiable reason.
• The visit must be for a brief time period and the visitor must not appear as if she / he are collaborating on any animal research protocols.
  • The visitor must wear the visitor’s tag at all times.

IACUC Per Diem Rates

Contact the Office of Research Integrity and Outreach by phone at (972) 883-4597 or by email at Cynthia Tralmer to quote per diem rates for animals.