INITIATING ANIMAL STUDIES AT MMRI

Step 1. All persons who plan to work with animals at MMRI must read the MMRI Animal Care Facility - Occupational Health Surveillance, then sign and return the acknowledgement form found on the last page to Kayla Vuong, MMRI IACUC Coordinator.

Step 2. All persons who plan to work with animals at MMRI must read the  MMRI Guidelines for Pain Assessment, then sign and return the acknowledgement forms found on the last page to Kayla Vuong, MMRI IACUC Coordinator.

Step 3. All persons who plan to work with animals at MMRI must read the MMRI Policy and Procedure Manual, then sign and return the acknowledgement form found on the last page to Kayla Vuong, MMRI IACUC Coordinator. This manual contains instructions for initiating animal studies at MMRI.

Step 4. All persons who plan to work with animals at MMRI must read the SOPs, then sign and return the acknowledgement form to Kayla Vuong. Hardcopies of the SOPs can be checked out from the vivarium staff.

Step 5. All persons who plan to work with animals at MMRI must supply a current CV and completed MMRI AF Training Record to Kayla Vuong.

Step 6. All persons who plan to work with animals at MMRI must complete the MMRI Statement of Assurance and return the signed form to Kayla Vuong, MMRI IACUC Coordinator.

Step 7. All persons who plan to work with animals at MMRI MUST have a current tetanus vaccination.

Step 8. Anyone working with human cells MUST have a current hepatitis B vaccination. For additional information, see OSHA: Hepatitis B Vaccination Requirements and/or see your employer. If you choose to decline the vaccination, fill out a Hepatitis B Declination Form, keep the original in your company files and return a copy to Kayla Vuong.

Step 9. The P.I. will fill out the MMRI IACUC Protocol Questionnaire and return it to Kayla Vuong. This will help determine if MMRI already has an approved protocol for your studies or an amendment must be made to an existing protocol, or a new protocol must be written. Any amendment or new protocol will be initially written by MMRI, based upon the Questionnaire, then will be passed on to the PI for revisions/corrections.

Step 10. MMRI IACUC members will then conduct an informal review of your draft to ensure that the proposed protocol has the adequete information about your study and that it follows MMRI guidelines, PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the MMRI Animal Welfare Assurance Document. MMRI IACUC members will assist you with updating your draft and may request changes to your protocol. If so, Kayla will keep you updated by e-mail.

Step 11. MMRI IACUC members will pass your protocol for review by the entire IACUC, including Consulting Veterinarian and Non-Affiliated Member. The full committee may have questions or ask for changes or clarifications in your protocol. If so, Kayla will keep you updated by e-mail.

Step 12. When the protocol or amendment has been accepted by the full IACUC, a teleconference will be scheduled to approve the protocol. You will be invited to attend.

Step 13. After your protocol is approved, you may order your animals for your study. Obtain, fill out and sign the MMRI Animal Request Form, then return to Bhaumik Patel for your order. NO ANIMALS CAN BE ORDERED UNTIL YOU HAVE AN APPROVED IACUC PROTOCOL. ANIMALS CAN ONLY BE ORDERED BY MMRI STAFF.

Step 14. If you require services by MMRI staff, obtain and complete a Study Submission Sheet for Approval of MMRI Time and Materials. This form is used to describe what services/procedures that you will need and your comittment to either supply your own materials or have MMRI invoice you for them.

Training Documentation: Animal users MUST show proficiency in techiques required for their studies. All training is documented on the MMRI AF Training Signoff Sheet which is kept in MMRI files.