Office of Research

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) forms the foundation for effective self-regulation of animal care and use and is responsible for reviewing all protocols involving live vertebrate animals, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, inspecting animal facilities and laboratories, and overseeing training and educational programs. The overall role of the IACUC is to ensure the humane care and use of animals.

The IACUC provides assistance to investigators in fulfilling their obligation to plan and conduct animal experiments in accordance with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles. The Committee has several important functions, including:
 

• Review of the institution's program for humane care and use of animals every six months
• Inspection of the animal facility and research laboratories using animals every six months
• Preparation of a report of the Program Review and Facility Inspection and its submission to the designated Institutional Official, identifying any significant deficiencies the committee judges to be a threat to the health and safety of the animals
• Investigation of concerns involving the care and use of animals at our institution resulting from concerns or complaints by Medical College employees or the public
• Advisement and recommendation of improvements in the animal care program, facilities, or personnel training to the Institutional Official
• Review and approval, withholding of approval or suspension of animal use activities (Animal Use Applications)

Since membership on the Committee is on a voluntary, part-time basis, the Medical College of Wisconsin has full-time IACUC staff to handle the day-to-day affairs of the Committee. The staff receives, reviews, and distributes all submissions to the IACUC, such as animal use applications, annual reviews, amendments, and animal ordering.

Link to IACUC website (MCW network access required)