Humane Care and Use of Animals

UNMC’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) assure the protection of all live vertebrate animals used in research, research training, teaching and biological testing conducted by anyone on the premises of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and UNO and conducted elsewhere by faculty, students, staff, or other representatives of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in connection with their institutional responsibilities.

In accordance with Public Health Service (PHS) policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, an institutional committee competent to oversee the institution's animal program, facilities, and projects involving the use of animals is devoted to the principle of carrying out meaningful scientific research through the use of laboratory animals in accordance with humane standards.  The primary function of the IACUC is to assist our faculty, students and staff in upholding UNMC and UNO's determination to assure the finest care and most humane utilization of our laboratory animals. To this end, every research, testing, and teaching project involving the use of a live vertebrate animal must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC prior to initiation.

During proposal review, a sponsor will ask for documentation of IACUC approval.  Also, before award set-up and during the project period, SPAdmin links projects to IACUC protocol and monitors the status.  A PI cannot conduct animal subjects research without an active IACUC protocol.