Protocol Review in 2024

IACUC professionals depend on conferences and webinars as a primary source of regulatory information; what happens if they walk away with different interpretations of the regulations? We invited experts from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Jillian Hash and Denise Ancharski-Stutler) and University of Pennsylvania (Joanna Fried and Ines Rodriguez), along with USDA representative Louis DiVincenti, to respond to a scenario about the regulatory requirements for seminannual inspections.

Animals used in biomedical research may experience pain or distress as part of the experimental protocol. By implementing humane endpoints, pain or distress can be prevented or alleviated whilst still meeting scientific aims and objectives. We invited experts from Arizona State University (Samantha Sullivan) and Loma Linda University (Obed Rutebuka), along with USDA and OLAW representatives (Louis DiVincenti and Axel Wolff), to respond to a scenario about the importance of defining humane endpoints in research protocols.

A clear organizational reporting structure within the Animal Care and Use Program and a collegial working relationship between the Institutional Official, Attending Veterinarian and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee are essential to maintain the highest standards of animal wellbeing and research quality. We invited experts from The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research (Michelle Aparicio) and Rice University (Sarah Viranda and Elysse Ann Orchard), along with USDA and OLAW representatives (Louis DiVincenti and Axel Wolff), to respond to a challenging situation at Great Eastern University.

IACUCs need to ensure the application of the 3Rs, while allowing researchers to conduct their work with reasonable flexibility. We invited experts from the University of Notre Dame (Eric Felde) and Northwestern University (Stefanie Bittner), along with USDA and OLAW representatives (Louis DiVincenti and Axel Wolff) to respond to a challenging situation at Great Eastern University.

While emotional support animals can provide comfort for those with mental or emotional disabilities, several factors must be considered when determining the necessary oversight of these animals in institutional academic or research buildings. We invited experts from Wayne State University (Erin Katz), University of California San Francisco (Carine Serageldine) and the University of Oregon (Stephanie Womack, Audrey Harris and Kathy Snell) along with Acting Director, OLAW (Axel Wolff) to respond to a perplexing situation at Great Eastern University.