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Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Application Resources

IACUC and Regulatory Information

The UNC - Charlotte Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees and evaluates all aspects of the institution's animal care and use program. The IACUC includes scientists, veterinarians, and local community representation, who review protocol applications for research and teaching activities using animals covered by the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Public Health Service Policy.

 
 
 

Protocol Application Literature Search Basics

A literature search is performed by the investigator before  protocol application submission to prevent duplication of work already performed and to consider alternatives to proposed procedures, animal species, or project endpoints for animals classified in the USDA pain categories D and E.

An effective literature search strategy incorporates keywords and concepts that describe the project and/or area of study.The original project literature search can serve as the foundation for an animal alternatives search by adding keywords used in the scope of the 3R's (refinement, reduction, replacement).

The 3Rs

REDUCTION:
Minimize the number of animals used in groups while retaining statistical power.
 
REFINEMENT:
Use techniques and medications that minimize pain and distress.
 
REPLACEMENT:
Substitute animal species with organisms lower on the phylogenetic scale or non-animal models.
 

Adapted from: Russell, W. M. S., anad Burch, R. L. (1959). The principles of humane experimental technique. London: Methuen.

 

For further information on the 3R's, please consult: