Announcements

Drugs Facilities Guidelines Husbandry IACUC Policies Safety

Lessons Learned from Winter 2025 Semi-Annual Facility Inspections

The Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) completed its latest round of semi-annual facility inspections in mid-March. These routine inspections are one of the most important tools we have for 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 2025 semi-annual facility inspections

Drugs Federal Regulations & Standards Guidelines Policies ULAM

Additional Guidance & Resources for Managing Products with Beyond Use Dates

Navigating the many nuanced requirements for the proper management, storage, and maintenance of drugs, agents, and other substances used in animal-based research can be challenging and confusing, especially when these supplies are dated. Many pharmaceutical products have both a standard “Expiration Date” and a “Use-By-Date” (i.e., “Beyond Use Date”), which are often described in the ...
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ULAM

Connect with Your ULAM Faculty Veterinarian this May

As part of the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine’s (ULAM) efforts to provide a collaborative, partnership-based approach to animal care at the U-M, ULAM Faculty Veterinarians will be hosting several check-in meetings at locations across campus this May. In addition to discussing facility-specific needs, a variety of other topics will be covered, including: Time will ...
icon of two people talking

eRAM Safety

Make Safety a Habit by Regularly Reviewing, Sharing EHS Safety Findings

Everyone who contributes to research at the University of Michigan should rightfully expect a safe, healthy, and secure working environment. To ensure that personnel are protected to the greatest extent possible, Principal Investigators (PIs) are required to identify all hazardous materials and operations that MAY be used on their animal use protocol. The U-M Department ...
women in PPE researching at a desk

Facilities Husbandry Safety SOP

Recent Updates, Changes to Hazardous Substance Administration SOP

To ensure continued compliance with best practice standards in animal care and use and laboratory safety, the Animals Administered a Hazardous Substance Requiring Containment Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was recently updated. Updates and process changes are applicable to ANY individual who may perform procedures that involve the handling of animals and/or animal equipment contaminated with ...
Button listing expected May 2025 adherence date for new Hazardous Substance Administration SOP

Federal Regulations & Standards Policies Safety

Plan Ahead: New Federal Policy on Research with Pathogens and Biological Toxins

May 2025 Update On May 5, 2025, a new Executive Order (EO) was issued calling for modifications to the 2024 United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (often referred to as the “USG DURC-PEPP Policy”). As the institution awaits additional guidance on how the provisions ...
document icon reading "new policy DRUC-PEPP"

eRAM

eRAM System Upgrade, Outage Scheduled for Early May

In May 2025, the eResearch Animal Management (eRAM) system used for managing all animal use protocols and processing animal orders and transfers will upgrade its underlying application technology, including several enhancements to improve user experience. During the upgrade period, tentatively scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2025, and running through approximately ...
computer mockup icon reading eRAM System Upgrade May 2- May 4, 2025

Safety

Nominations Sought for Excellence in Research Safety Awards

Safety in all academic and research endeavors is a core institutional value at the University of Michigan. To recognize the tremendous efforts taken by staff and leaders throughout campus to support this important mission, the Research and Academic Safety Committee (RASC) has launched the Excellence in Research Safety Awards. The awards will be given in ...
Banner of different employees next to "Excellence in research safety culture awards"

Facilities Safety

Laboratory Hoods – What’s the Difference?

Many research and animal laboratories use containment devices to keep the user separated from the hazards they are working with. These devices are often referred to by many different names including cell culture hood, tissue culture hood, laminar flow hood, PCR hood, clean bench, or biosafety cabinet. An important thing to note, however, is that ...
Images of four different laboratory hoods

eRAM

Share Your Feedback: eResearch Platform Transition

As previously announced in the fall, the University of Michigan (U-M) is planning to replace eResearch, its platform for research administration, by 2031 due to the vendor discontinuing support for its software products. A dedicated team is already working to ensure a smooth transition by identifying needs, exploring options, and considering improvements. We understand that ...
Desktop computer with eResearch login page on screen and button with link to take the eResearch survey

Facilities Policies Training ULAM

Training Requirements and Animal Housing Access: What You Should Know

To safeguard animal welfare, all personnel working with animals must complete mandatory training BEFORE they can begin their work. Expectations for Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) required training are outlined in the Policy on the Classification and Expectations of Personnel Involved with Animal Activities and are based upon: After an individual has been ...
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