The Review Process

As mandated by federal law, The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee will have no less than five members, including the following: A veterinarian with program responsibilities, a scientist experienced in laboratory animal research, a non-scientist, and an individual that has no other affiliation with the University.

In compliance with federal regulation and OHSU institutional policy, all investigators, research staff, and other relevant personnel (those reasonably involved in the design and/or conduct of the research) must complete OHSU's Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Education. No activity resulting in data collection can be initiated until all key personnel have attended the full RCR session.

Any scientist who wishes to participate in animal research must have a fully-compliant, approved protocol. Protocol applications are received, previewed, and logged by the IACUC Coordinator. Packets are distributed to two committee members seven days prior to the full board review.

Each reviewer is asked to evaluate the protocol by the guidelines of the IACUC Opening Statement. Questions may be presented by the entire committee to the Clinical Veterinarian or to the Principal Investigator. If questions cannot be resolved at that particular meeting, the PI may be requested to clarify or submit modifications (in writing) accordingly. Once there has been clarification of changes the protocol will receive full approval by the chair and his/her subcommittee. Only after full approval is the PI allowed to acquire animal models.