Announcements

ACU-FAC QA

2022 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 2022 Cohort. The 2022 LARCC Program will run from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM every Tuesday beginning September 13 through ...
LARC certification emblem over image of staff members having discussion. 2022 LARCC Program Cohort Applications Due Friday, September 9

Drugs Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Winter 2022 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 2022 semi-annual facility inspections

William King Appointed New Associate VP for Research – Animal Care & Use Program

William W. King, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, has been appointed the new Associate Vice President for Research – Animal Care & Use Program in the Office of the Vice President for Research. His five-year appointment, which includes newly expanded roles and responsibilities, was approved by the U-M Board of Regents on July 21. As associate vice ...
William King, DVM, PhD, DACLAM headshot

Facilities IACUC

IACUC Semi-Annual Inspections Begin Tuesday, August 2

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) will begin its next round of semi-annual facility inspections on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Inspections will run through mid-September and include any animal rooms, surgical suite support spaces, and areas where procedures are conducted with animals. Fall 2022 Facility Inspection Schedule View the complete Fall 2022 Institutional ...
Facility inspection checklist reminder icon

Facilities Safety

EHS to Resume Unscheduled Inspection Program

The unscheduled inspection program, led by the U-M Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), was put on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With laboratory research activity returning to pre-pandemic levels, EHS has now resumed this program. What You Should Know Following each visit, Principal Investigators will receive a report that is ...
Inspection checklist on clipboard with PPE, food and drink, and chemical storage icons

Policies

Reminders & Responsibilities for Personnel Working on Rodent Tumor Studies

The Tumor Burden Policy for Rodents , which defines standard humane endpoints for mice and rats that develop externally visible tumors as part of an approved protocol, has recently undergone a triennial review by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC). Although no changes have been made to the specific processes/procedures outlined by the policy, ...
Personnel icons with lines leading back to mouse icons overlaid on animal health shield icon

Facilities Safety

Get Ready for Summer with Proper Personal Attire in the Lab

Wearing proper personal attire in the lab and animal care facilities protects both you and the animals entrusted to our care. With the warmer summer months ahead, we ask that you review the basics of proper personal attire in the lab with your staff, including all students who may be involved with research. REGARDLESS of ...
Infographic showing proper personal attire for the laboratory

Facilities Safety

Animal-Derived Substances and IBC Approval: Answering Questions About Swine and Ruminant Materials

Research that involves certain types of animal-derived substances – including materials from swine and ruminants – requires advance approval from the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).  This requirement applies to research with tissues, fluids, and/or cells from: Expand each section below for answers to several frequently asked questions. The IBC requires Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2) precautions ...
Image of woman working with samples under a biosafety cabinet hood. FAQ icon over top of image

2022 LARCC Program Enrollment Begins Soon

The Laboratory Animal Research Coordinator Certification (LARCC) Program, which offers a unique opportunity to engage in the Animal Care & Use (ACU) Program through education and networking, will begin enrolling its third cohort soon. Established in 2019, this 10-week program consists of weekly 4-hour class sessions led by leadership and experts from the ACU Program ...
2022 LARCC Graduation Ceremony

Tools & Resources to Protect Your Valuable Mouse Strains

Sperm cryopreservation is exceptionally valuable and should be a standard practice to regularly and routinely protect your research, specifically valuable mouse strains that may be extremely rare or unique, including transgenic lines.  There are many programs and services available, both at the U-M and beyond, to help you preserve these critical research resources: Questions? If ...
Shield with computer generated image of DNA and silhouette of mouse and health cross

Facilities Safety

Units Partner to Streamline, Strengthen Research Safety Processes

To continue strengthening laboratory and research safety across the University of Michigan, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) is partnering with the U-M Research and Academic Safety Committee to develop and implement a new phase of its research safety initiative. The new phase of the initiative known as “Safety First, Safety Every Day” is launching in ...
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