UCLA Investigators working with biohazardous materials are required to comply with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acids (NIH Guidelines). To ensure compliance, the UCLA Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), in collaboration with the Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), has developed an online (~20 minute) training module which is required of all individuals who work … Read More
September is National Biosafety Stewardship Month
The NIH Director has announced the launch of National Biosafety Stewardship Month. During the month of September, NIH grantee institutions have been encouraged to reexamine current biosafety policies and procedures, conduct inventories of infectious agents and toxins in all laboratories, and evaluate biosafety training of investigators, laboratory staff, and IBC members. UCLA researchers are strongly encouraged to participate in National … Read More
Use of CO2 for Rodent Euthanasia
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition includes new recommendations concerning use of CO2 exposure as a method of euthanasia for laboratory rodents. These guidelines indicate that a gradual fill method must be used, with the recommended fill rate (displacement) between 10% and 30% of the chamber volume per minute. CO2 gas distribution systems … Read More
Important News from the NIH Program on Biosecurity and Biosafety Policy
NIH Announces the launch of “National Biosafety Stewardship Month” – Recent reports of lapses in biosafety practices involving Federal laboratories have served to remind us of the importance of constant vigilance over implementation of biosafety standards. These events potentially put individuals at risk, undermine public confidence in the research enterprise, and must be addressed to prevent their reoccurrence. Efforts to … Read More
What Are Lab Animal Allergies and Occupational Asthma?
Laboratory Animal Allergies (LAA) and Occupational Asthma (OA) develop from exposure to animal allergens, and are among the most common, serious occupational diseases of workers exposed to animals in laboratories. Please review the Lab Animal Allergies & Occupational Asthma fact sheet to learn how to prevent LAA and OA. The ARC encourages all labs to print and post this flyer … Read More
ARC POLICY UPDATE: Survival Surgery in Mice, Rats, and Birds
The ARC Policy on Survival Surgery in Mice, Rats, and Birds has recently been revised; the updated Policy is available at the Survival Surgery in Mice, Rats, and Birds web page. Two changes have been made to the Policy regarding post-operative treatment cards: The Policy clarifies that post-op cards are to be used until treatment is discontinued or sutures/wound clips … Read More
NEW ARC POLICY: Rodent CO2 Euthanasia
The ARC has recently approved a new Policy on Rodent CO2 Euthanasia; the updated Policy is available at the Rodent CO2 Euthanasia web page. This Policy describes important procedural requirements labs must follow in order to meet recommendations made in the 2013 AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals concerning the use of CO2. Please contact the Office of Animal Research … Read More
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT YOUR ARC PROTOCOL(S)
Two years ago, the ARC implemented a change in approval periods, such that research with non-USDA regulated species is approved on a 3-year cycle, while protocols using regulated species are reviewed annually. During the year and a half since this change, protocols have been granted 1-, 2-, or 3- year approvals depending on when the 3-year cycle from initial approval … Read More
3Rs Pilot Studies Call for Proposals – Deadline for Submission April 25, 2014
The Office of Animal Research Oversight is pleased to announce the Spring 2014 3Rs funding opportunity, provided by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Aim of Award: The aim of the program is to promote and support pilot studies designed to replace the use of animals in research, reduce the numbers of animals necessary, or refine methods to … Read More
IBC website has moved
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) website has moved and is now available at http://ora.research.ucla.edu/SafetyCommittee/IBC/Pages/index.aspx. Please bookmark this page for easy access. In the coming months, we plan to enhance the information located on our site. Meanwhile, please provide any comments or feedback to oibc@research.ucla.edu.