Announcements Archives

Sep 14 2023

Plan Ahead & Act Early: Cornerstone Online Learning Freeze Oct. 4–6

Cornerstone Learning – the learning management system for all animal care and use training classes provided through the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) Training Core – will be performing a security upgrade to online quiz functionality beginning Wednesday, October 4 through Friday, October 6. Users will still be able to launch assigned ULAM online training in the ...

Computer screen with Cornerstone Learning Quiz Module and dates for temporary quiz unavailability

Sep 07 2023

Drugs ULAM

Ethiqa XR® Broached Vial Usage Extended to 90 Days

Fidelis Pharmaceuticals, the company that produces Ethiqa XR®, the first FDA-indexed extended-release buprenorphine formulation specifically for mice and rats, recently announced a change to the drug’s storage requirements. After extensive in-house studies and testing to collect sufficient efficacy data, the company has extended the drug’s storage and use to 90 days post vial broach. Previously, ...

Medicine vial labeled with 90 day expiration sticker

Aug 17 2023

Facilities Safety

Four Key Reminders to Help Protect Against Animal Bites and Scratches

All animals – no matter the size – are capable of inflicting bites and scratches. Although the bites and scratches delivered by small animals, such as laboratory rodents and rabbits, usually result in only minor wounds, bites inflicted by larger animals may result in more serious tissue damage and could even lead to infection. Personnel ...

Female animal technician in scrubs sitting at computer desk looking at computer screen with EHS Reporting a Lab Incident Form

Jul 28 2023

Facilities Husbandry

All the Bright Moves: Minimizing Light Cycle Disruptions in Animal Housing Rooms

Maintaining spaces where environmental variables are minimized to the greatest extent possible plays a critical role in safeguarding animal welfare and ensuring research integrity. Any changes to light intensity, quality, or duration – disruptions that may seem small and insignificant to us – can have a substantial impact on animal health. Although many species can ...

Lightbulb icon crossed out with red circle

Jul 24 2023

Facilities Federal Regulations & Standards Husbandry

Reminders for Laboratories Using USDA-Regulated Species

The Animal Care & Use (ACU) Program is committed to providing the U-M research community with the tools and resources necessary for safeguarding animal welfare and assuring programmatic compliance. To that end, we have several important reminders for laboratories using USDA-regulated species (e.g., all live or dead warm-blooded animals except rats of the genus Rattus ...

Jul 19 2023

Facilities IACUC

IACUC Semi-Annual Inspections Begin Tuesday, August 1

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) will begin its next round of semi-annual facility inspections on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Inspections will run through September and include any animal rooms, surgical suite support spaces, and areas where procedures are conducted with animals. Fall 2023 Facility Inspection Schedule View the complete Fall 2023 Institutional ...

Jul 17 2023

2023 Excellence in Research Award Winners Announced

The Animal Care & Use Program is pleased to announce the 2023 winners of the Excellence in Research Animal Care & Use Award. Established in 2019, this awards program celebrates staff excellence in the humane care and use of animals within the University of Michigan (U-M) research community. This year’s winners represent both the U-M ...

Renee Jehmlich, 2023 Animal Care & Use Program Excellence in Research Animal Care & Use Award Winner

Jul 11 2023

Controlled Substances Drugs

Update on Ongoing Nationwide Ketamine Shortage

**December 2023 Update** The Central B2 Pharmacy has ended its Ketamine order restriction for research studies – including all projects involving animals. Study Teams may also continue to purchase Ketamine through U-M approved external vendors. If you have any questions, please contact the U-M Controlled Substances Monitoring Program at [email protected] A nationwide shortage of the ...

Vial of Ketamine Hydrochloride with Update Banner

Jul 06 2023

IACUC Policies

Review Processes for Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns

Ensuring animal welfare and maintaining programmatic compliance is a shared responsibility, and the university depends on everyone to do their part. As the new academic year rapidly approaches and we welcome new faculty, students, and staff to campus, we ask that all individuals whose work involves animals review – and be familiar with – the ...

Jun 29 2023

Animal Care & Use Office Welcomes Three New Staff Members

In recent months, the Animal Care & Use Office (ACUO) Quality Assurance (QA) Team has welcomed three new staff members: Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to their new roles, including previous work with the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) and serving as a Laboratory Research Technician. To better support the U-M ...

Name tag icon that says "My Name is a New Member of Your Animal Care Team"

Jun 27 2023

Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Winter 2023 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-March. These inspections are one of the most important tools we have for routinely assessing programmatic strengths and identifying areas for individual and collective improvement(s) in service to the animals entrusted to our care. Through this lens of ...

Multi-colored graph showing common deficiency areas identified during Winter 2023 semi-annual IACUC facility inspections

Jun 26 2023

ACU-FAC QA

2023 LARCC Program Now Accepting Applications

The Laboratory Animal Research Coordinator Certification (LARCC) Program, a unique education and networking opportunity designed to boost compliance knowledge across all aspects of the U-M Animal Care & Use Program, is now accepting applications for the 2023 Cohort. The 2023 LARCC Program will run from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM every Tuesday beginning September 12 through November 14, ...