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Welcome to the Center for Comparative Medicine
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The mission of the Center for Comparative Medicine is to support biomedical research and teaching that utilizes laboratory animals.
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Introduction
The University is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC). AAALAC is an independent accreditation body which uses the standards outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals [ILAR, NAS, 1996] and the Animal Welfare Act (CFR 9) as amended (P. L. 94-279) as minimum criteria in evaluating research programs which use laboratory animals. AAALAC accreditation is recognized by research funding agencies as identifying national research institutions which have an acceptable level of standards in the operating procedures and practices of their laboratory animal program. The use of laboratory animals constitutes a privilege which the American public has entrusted to the scientific community. Therefore, it is incumbent upon each investigator and every member of his or her staff to fulfill all moral, ethical, and legal responsibilities inherent in using laboratory animals in research and teaching. Top of PageAdministrationThe Vice President for Research, Dr. Thomas C. Skalak, is the Institutional Official responsible for the animal care and use program. His office files an assurance of compliance with the Office of Protection from Research Risk at the NIH, appoints the chairperson and members of the IACUC, and is responsible for all University wide issues pertaining to animal care and use. The Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM) is a component of the Office of the VPR that is directly responsible for the management and oversight of the vivaria at the University. The Director of CCM, Dr. Sanford H. Feldman reports directly to Dr. Skalak and to the IACUC regarding the University's animal husbandry and veterinary care components of the animal care and use program. The Life Sciences (Gilmer) vivarium is populated by research animals belonging to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences. Ms. Amy O'Coin functions as the vivarium facility manager. The CCM program is executed by a coordinated effort between Dr. Feldman, and the supervisors of the Medical Center vivaria, and the CCM administrative staff.
Questions and concerns regarding animal health should be referred to one of the veterinary technicians, Ms. Gina Wimer ,Ms. Linda McVay, Ms. Kim Hellems, Ms. Regina Campbell, Mr. Gatesman, Dr. Feldman. Special animal husbandry requirements regarding feed, bedding, cage changing schedules, light cycles, temperature or humidity should be referred to either the the specific vivarium supervisor. The University requires that an animal research protocol be submitted for review and approval by the IACUC before any investigator purchases/obtains and begins research involving vertebrate species of animal. The IACUC office is administered by Ms. Sarah Hudson and Ms. Silvia LaRue. The IACUC office serves to: assist investigators in completing the appropriate animal research proposal forms, sends out annual review of animal research protocol notices, assures participation in the occupational health and safety program for personnel interacting with laboratory animals, schedules the meetings and compiles the minutes of the IACUC meetings, and schedules the semi-annual inspection of animal facilities and the animal care and use program. Top of Page FacilitiesCCM has over 83,000 square feet of facilities designed for housing laboratory animals. Specialized rodent housing including sterile barrier caging is provided in Jordan Hall , MR-4, MR-5, MR-6, LiSA, Snyder, Old Medical School, Aurbach Bldg. Barrier rodent housing without sterilization of caging is provided in ETC-1 Modular and the Life Sciences vivaria. Animal biosafety level 2 facilities are available for research involving infectious agents, xenographs and viral gene therapy vectors as are rooms sanctioned by Radiation Safety for administration of radionuclide’s and approved methods of disposal. The animal feed and bedding is currently provided under a contract with Harlan Teklad. Specialty diets are available upon request should be directed to the administrative office. Top of Page Directory
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