FAQs (Frequently
Asked Questions) about the MMC IACUC
What is the IACUC?
What does the IACUC do and what
are its responsibilities?
What kinds of projects must be submitted for
IACUC review?
Who must submit projects to the IACUC?
What must be submitted to the IACUC?
Where can I get IACUC forms?
When must projects be submitted to the IACUC
for review?
How long does the review process take?
Where should IACUC protocols be submitted?
How often does the MMC Animal Care and Use Committee
meet?
When can I find out whether my
application has received committee approval?
How long is a project approval good
for?
If I received word that my project
was approved, when can I start my project?
Will I be notified when it is
time for me to renew my protocol?
What if I don't plan to renew my protocol?
When should I report changes or modifications
to my protocol?
What is the IACUC?
"IACUC" stands for "Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee." The
existence of an IACUC is mandated by federal regulations - both the Animal Welfare
Act and Public Health Service (PHS) Policy. Institutions that receive federal
funding and/or are involved in any animal-related activities are required to
establish an IACUC for review of all programs and projects involving animals.
Maine Medical Center and the MMC Research Institute have incorporated the federal
regulations into their own policy and are committed to the humane treatment of
animals in its programs.
What does the IACUC do and what are its
responsibilities?
The MMC IACUC promotes the humane care of animals used in biomedical research,
teaching, and testing; provides information that will enhance animal well-being,
the quality of biomedical research, and the advancement of biologic knowledge
that is relevant to humans or animals; and advises the Associate Vice President
for Medical Affairs (the Institutional Official responsible for the animal
care and use program) regarding MMC’s institutional compliance with federal
regulations and guidelines.
The MMC IACUC is responsible for: reviewing ALL proposed uses of live
vertebrate animals in teaching, research, exhibition, and testing, including
regular review of all ongoing projects; inspecting the MMCRI animal facilities
at least once every six months;
reviewing the MMCRI animal care and use program every six months; submitting
semiannual reports based on the semiannual inspections and program reviews
to the Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs; submitting an annual
report to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Laboratory Animal
Welfares (OLAW), detailing changes in the animal care and use program,
changes in IACUC membership, and the results of the semiannual inspections
and program reviews; educating and training personnel involved in animal
projects; investigating all concerns involving the care and use of animals
at MMCRI; suspending previously approved animal-related activity if the
committee determines that the activity is not being conducted in compliance
with the Animal Welfare Act, PHS policy, or MMC/MMCRI policy; and making
recommendations to the Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs regarding
the animal care and use program, MMCRI animal facilities, and the care
and use training programs available to MMC/MMCRI personnel.
What kinds of projects must be
submitted for IACUC review?
The IACUC must review ALL projects involving the use of ANY vertebrate
animals for ANY purpose (including, but not limited to, agricultural,
biomedical, and behavioral research, teaching, testing, and exhibition
projects) to ensure compliance with MMC/MMCRI policy and federal regulations.
Who must submit projects to the IACUC?
Any faculty or staff member who is the Principal Investigator or Director for
any animal activity must submit an IACUC protocol. Students who will be conducting
an animal project (e.g. for a thesis project) should submit the project in
collaboration with their faculty adviser. Such student protocols should be
submitted with the adviser listed as the Principal Investigator and the student
listed as the Co-Principal Investigator.
What must be submitted to the IACUC?
Either a new
protocol form or an amendment form may be submitted for review. Amendment
forms are only submitted to seek approval for changes to a previously approved
IACUC protocol. Each person involved with the project must also make available
documentation that they have completed required training courses for working
with animals.
Where can I get IACUC forms?
Forms are available in the Research Compliance Office (81 Research Drive, Scarborough,
ME) in paper form and are also available on the IACUC website.
When must projects be submitted to
the IACUC for review?
All paperwork
must be submitted and approvals granted BEFORE any work with animals
is initiated. Completed applications must be submitted
to the Research Compliance Office no later than 10 days prior to the
meeting. There is a designated review process for amendments and
continuing reviews between meetings, please contact the Research Compliance
Office for more information.
How long does the review process take?
The length of the review period may vary from one week to several weeks,
depending on nature of the project. The Research Compliance Office can
answer questions about the review process and the amount of time it may
require.
Where should IACUC protocols be submitted?
All IACUC forms and paperwork should be submitted to the Research Compliance
Office.
How often does the MMC Animal Care and
Use Committee meet?
The committee meets at least six times per year, and will convene for
special meetings as the need arises.
When can I
find out whether my application has received committee approval?
Verbal
or E-mail notification can be provided by the Research Office within
24 hours after the Animal Care and Use Committee's meeting. Applicants
are usually notified in writing within 4-5 working days.
How long is a
project approval good for?
Project approval is good for 1 year from the date of the approval. All
projects are required to be renewed annually.
If I received word that my project was
approved, when can I start my project?
You may start using animals immediately if you have been granted full
approval.
Will I be notified when it is time for me to renew my protocol?
Yes. The
Research Compliance Office will notify you by an e-mail at least 4-5
weeks in advance when your application is expired. The notification
will inform the applicant of what forms are required to be submitted.
What if I don't plan to renew my protocol?
The PI should check the appropriate box on the annual renewal report
and return it to the Research Compliance Office.
When should I report
changes or modifications to my protocol?
You may use
the Amendment Form at any time during the approval period of the current
protocol. By federal law and MMC/MMCRI Policy, PIs
are required to notify the committee of any changes made to any currently
active protocol. Typical changes may include, project personnel,
numbers and species of animals, modifications to the experimental methods
or procedures, special requirements for animal husbandry and housing, etc.
