The Beacon Volume 7, Issue 1

2022-2023 IACUC Deadlines and Meeting Dates

Date of Expiring Protocols Submission Deadline IACUC Meeting Date
31-Mar-22 28-Jan-22 9-Feb-22
30-Apr-22 25-Feb-22 9-Mar-22
31-May-22 25-Mar-22 13-Apr-22
30-Jun-22 29-Apr-22 11-May-22
31-Jul-22 27-May-22 8-Jun-22
31-Aug-22 24-Jun-22 13-Jul-22
30-Sep-22 29-Jul-22 10-Aug-22
31-Oct-22 26-Aug-22 14-Sep-22
30-Nov-22 30-Sep-22 12-Oct-22
31-Dec-22 28-Oct-22 9-Nov-22
31-Jan-23 25-Nov-22 14-Dec-22
28-Feb-23 16-Dec-22 11-Jan-23

Investigators are encouraged to submit protocols that are due for 3-year renewal early to allow time for pre-review of the protocol by the research liaisons and veterinarians. This will help expedite the review and approval of the protocol. Should you have any questions, please contact OARS at iacuc@yale.edu.

OARS Staffing Changes

  • Research Liaison, Emily Alberto, joined OARS in November 2021. Emily brings a great deal of rodent research experience to the position, having come from one of the largest animal research departments here at Yale. She will be covering the departments listed below (FAS and several of the smaller YSM departments).
  • Layne Ochman, previous OARS Training Manager, retired in December 2021. We wish her peace and relaxation while she enjoys her retirement plans.
  • Brandon Dorry will be OARS’s new Training Manager.
  • Research Liaison, Kelly Elwell, joined OARS in January. Kelly brings a wealth of experience from YARC and VCS. She will be covering the departments listed below (CMED, Cardiology, and a few other YSM departments).
  • Research Liaison, Meredith Cavanaugh, will join OARS in February. She brings a great deal of research experience with aquatic species. She will be handling the departments listed below (all aquatics labs and several YSM departments.

Please help us welcome them to their new roles serving the greater research community. Also, please be patient with us as we are navigating the transition period and the many changes in the office.

Research Liaison Department Assignments

Research Liaison Department Assignments
EMILY ALBERTO
emily.alberto@yale.edu
  • ENVOTH Other
  • FASANT Anthropology
  • FASCHM Administration
  • FASEAS BME Faculty
  • FASEEB Department Administration
  • FASEEB EEB
  • FASEPS Research Unit
  • MEDANE Anesthesiology-All
  • MEDCCC Medical Oncology
  • MEDCCC Research Affairs
  • MEDINT Digestive Diseases Other
  • MEDINT Nephrology Other
  • MEDMPA Microbial Pathogenesis-All
  • MEDPED Cardiology
  • MEDPED Critical Care
  • MEDPED Gastroenterology
  • MEDPED Hematology/Oncology
  • MEDPED Infectious Disease
  • MEDPED Neonatology
  • MEDPED Nephrology
  • MEDPED Respiratory
KELLY ELWELL
kelly.elwell@yale.edu
  • MEDCOM Comparative Medicine-All
  • MEDINT Cardiology
  • MEDINT Infectious Diseases
  • MEDORT Orthopedics-All
  • MEDINT Pulmonary Other
  • MEDINT Occupational Medicine
MEREDITH CAVANAUGH (starting 2-13-21)
meredith.cavanaugh@yale.edu
  • All Labs using AQUATIC species, all depts
  • MEDCEL Cell Biology-All
  • MEDCMP C And M Physiology-All
  • MEDGEN Genetics-All
  • MEDMBB MB and B-All
  • MEDLAB Laboratory Medicine
  • MEDCSC Neurodevelopment
MATTHEW MERCIER
matthew.mercier@yale.edu
  • MEDINT Rheumatology
  • MEDOBG Perinatology
  • MEDOBG Endocrinology
  • MEDOBG Oncology
  • MEDOBG Reproductive Sciences MOBGYN-All
  • MEDPAT MPATH-All
  • MEDPAT Clinical Labs and Contracts
  • MEDPAT Admin
  • MEDPHA Pharmacology-All
  • MEDSPH Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases
  • MEDSPH Chronic Disease Epidemiology
  • MEDSPH School of Public Health
  • MEDSPH Environmental Health Sciences
  • MEDSUR Surgery-Other
  • MEDSUR Cardiac-Adult Cardiac
  • MEDSUR Colon and Rectal
  • MEDSUR Gross Anatomy
  • MEDSUR Neuropathology
  • MEDSUR General Otolaryngology
  • MEDSUR Pediatrics
  • MEDSUR Plastics
  • MEDSUR Transplant
  • MEDSUR Vascular
  • MEDURO MURO-All
TRACY KLOCZYNSKI
tracy.kloczynski@yale.edu
  • All NONHUMAN PRIMATE Labs, all depts.
  • FASMCD MCDB
  • MEDDRA Radiology
  • MEDIMU Immunobiology-All
  • MEDNSC MNBIO Neuroscience Department
  • MEDTRA Therapeutic Radiology
  • FASPSY Department Administration
ROSEMARY COOLON
rosemary.coolon@yale.edu
  • FASPSY Psychology
  • MEDCCC Hematology-Section
  • MEDDER General Dermatology
  • MEDDER DermPath
  • MEDINT Endocrinology Other
  • MEDNSG Neurosurgery - All
  • MEDOPT Ophthalmology-All
  • MEDPSY Psych Divisions-Ribicoff Labs
  • MEDPSY Psych Divisions-CPPU
  • MEDNEU Epilepsy
  • MEDNEU Memory Disorders
  • MEDNEU Multiple Sclerosis
  • MEDNEU Neurology Neuroscience Stroke
  • MEDNSC MNBIO Neuroscience Department

Transporting Cages

Over the past several months, we have documented several non-compliances related to transporting animals from their housing facilities to laboratories. When transporting animals outside of YARC facilities, please ensure that the IACUC Transportation Policy is followed:

  • Water bottles should be removed or inverted to avoid dripping into cage
    • Ensure bottles are returned immediately upon arrival at destination
  • Cage lids should be secured with a rubber band (provided by YARC) or cargo strap
  • Cages should be completely concealed with a disposable paper drape (provided by YARC) or equivalent cover
    • Covers should be removed immediately upon arrival at destination
  • Multiple cages can be transported in a paper bag (provided by YARC) or another opaque bag/carrier
  • For carts used for transport:
    • Cages should be arranged in a single layer on each shelf
    • Cages should be secured by a >1” lip to avoid shifting OR secured to the cart with a cargo strap
    • Cages must be completely concealed with a cover, as above
  • Transport should not result in travel through patient or public areas

Please refer to the specific guidelines in the policy or contact OARS (IACUC@yale.edu) for additional information and requirements for outdoor transportation.

Change in Regulatory Requirement for USDA Annuals

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a final rule amending the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations to reduce duplicative requirements and the administrative burden for research facilities while continuing to ensure humane animal care. As of December 27th, 2021, annual reviews of protocols utilizing USDA-covered species are no longer required. A complete review of IACUC-approved protocol will be conducted now at 3-year intervals, harmonizing the USDA’s new expectations with that of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

NOTE: Annual reviews will still be required for field studies (focused on the number of animals collected or otherwise manipulated) and those protocols supported by the Department of Defense. Unlike the USDA, the DoD did not eliminate their requirement for an annual review.

Timely Euthanasia

Over the past year, we have documented several non-compliances related to laboratories not meeting veterinary deadlines for euthanizing humane concerns or other veterinary orders. Because of the NIH’s requirements, a few of these non-compliances were reported to the NIH, which brings unnecessary attention the University—not only for the federal government, but also animal rights extremist groups.

We would like to remind everyone of the IACUC’s expectation regarding how sick animals are managed by the researchers, YARC, and veterinary staff.

  • Instructions from the veterinary staff (veterinarians and veterinary technicians) are final. This includes both treatment plans for sick animals and deadlines for euthanasia.
  • Labs may propose an alternative plan but if that plan would further jeopardize the animal’s health and well-being, the original instructions must be followed or the animal euthanized.
  • Researchers are responsible for promptly addressing any veterinary instructions. If you are unable to follow the instructions within the given timeline, you may request that VCS provide the treatment or euthanize the animal on a fee-for-service basis.
  • Researchers are responsible for assuring that VCS has up-to-date contact information for all animals. The VCS contact list should have a primary researcher and a secondary back-up contact in case the primary researcher is not available. Email Lauren Manfred (lauren.manfred@yale.edu) or Lyn Patrylak (lyn.moreau@yale.edu) if contacts need to be updated.
  • It is a reportable non-compliance if veterinary instructions are not followed promptly and prior to the proposed deadline. If the animal’s care is supported by federal funds, Yale may be obligated to report the incident to the granting agency and payback associated grant funds.

Providing appropriate veterinary care is one of the fundamental principles of animal research. Abiding by the above guidance helps us assure that Yale continues to meet its regulatory and ethical obligation to properly care for our animal research subjects.

Support Emails

In effort to help facilitate appropriate distribution of email requests for support, please follow the guidance below:

Please contact MAPS Support at IACUC.Support@yale.edu

  • MAPS access issues
  • MAPS security issues (e.g., inability to see a specific protocol)
  • Inability to create or submit a protocol or modification

Please contact your Research Liaison or IACUC@yale.edu for the following:

  • How to use MAPS (e.g., initial submissions or modifications)
  • Protocol content (e.g., editing or concerns)
  • Need assistance in answering reviewer questions
  • AALAS or TMS access

Special Instructions and Variation of Standardized Care Forms

When your protocol or modification is approved with a Special Instruction (SI), it is the PI’s/lab’s responsibility to fill out the associated Variation of Standardized Care (VSC) form in the animal room. If the activity described in the SI is not documented on the VSC form, it will be recorded by OARS as an incident. Please remember that if the incident is federally funded, then it may be reportable to the NIH. Please contact the animal facility manager or animal care technician if you have any questions regarding a VSC.

Upcoming Facility Inspections

February 2022: TAC/CCC/309 Edwards/LSOG SB
March 2022: SHM IG/BG/BCMM/CMHC

Facilities are typically inspected during the last two weeks of the month, approximately 9:00-11:30 A.M.

Please check your spaces periodically to ensure fulfillment of IACUC expectations. The Inspection Checklist the IACUC utilizes to document findings is available on the OARS website.

IMPORTANT: If you have locked cabinets, drawers, or boxes that contain drugs or materials with expiration dates, please make sure that they are unlocked and ready for the IACUC to inspect the contents. If you don’t want to leave the container unlocked and unsupervised, then the IACUC’s expectation is that you be readily available to open them. Contact iacuc-inspects@yale.edu with your contact information and the areas of interest.

Policy Updates/October-December

Mice and Rat Body Condition Scoring Guidelines UPDATED

  • More realistic scoring system photos were taken from  Burkholder, et. al. (2012).
  • The language from the previous scoring photo remains the same.
  • This scoring system is recommended when mouse or rat health status needs to be evaluated over time.

Rodent Identification and Genotyping UPDATED

  • Based on new literature reviews, the following has been updated regarding the tail biopsy procedure:
    • The IACUC strongly recommends that tail biopsies be collected at or before 17 days of age and be limited to no more than 2 mm.
    • If up to a 5mm biopsy is required, then it MUST be collected at or before 17 days of age unless anesthesia and analgesia is provided.
    • Collecting >2mm after 17 days REQUIRES anesthesia and analgesia, as it is considered a minor surgery.
    • 5mm biopsy remains the absolute maximum total amount of tail tissue that is permitted to be collected per mouse.
    • Any tail biopsies collected after 21 days, regardless of the amount of tissue (even if only 2mm), requires anesthesia and analgesia, as it is considered a minor surgery.

As always, please contact OARS (iacuc@yale.edu) with any questions, suggestions, or concerns.

Stay safe, everyone!
~OARS Team