Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
News Archive: 2012

News Archive Table Of Contents
Date News Flash Description
December 20, 2012 "The 2012 Annual Report to OLAW" Webinar Available for Viewing
December 18, 2012 OLAW Welcomes Ms. Doreen Bartlett
December 10, 2012 NIH Recovery Actions and Resources for Institutions Affected by Hurricane Sandy
December 4, 2012 Proceedings of the Symposium on Animal Welfare and Scientific Research: 1985 to 2010
November 30, 2012 The 2012 Annual Report to OLAW: December 13, OLAW Webinar
November 20, 2012 NJABR 3Rs Sharing Conference II: February 27, Somerset, NJ
November 16, 2012 Essentials of IACUC Administration: November 29-30, San Diego, CA
November 14, 2012 2012 International Conference on Sustainable Laboratories: Choosing the Right Equipment
November 8, 2012 Annual Reports to OLAW due January 31, 2013
November 7, 2012 Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: November Issue
November 1, 2012 Corrections to OLAW Guidance Resources on Departures from the Guide
October 22, 2012 IACUC Administrators’ Best Practices Meeting: November 8-9, Boston, MA
October 19, 2012 63rd AALAS National Meeting: November 4-8, Minneapolis, MN
October 5, 2012 Updated Guidance on Reporting Departures from the Guide
October 3, 2012 ASLAP Continuing Education Seminar: November 3, Minneapolis, MN
September 25, 2012 NJABR IACUC 19 Conference: October 19, Somerset, NJ
September 21, 2012 SCAW IACUC Training Workshop: October 4, San Diego, CA
September 20, 2012 USDA AWIC Workshop: October 3-4, Beltsville, MD
September 19, 2012 Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: September Issue
September 19, 2012 OLAW is on Twitter
September 10, 2012 Guidance on Departures from the Provisions of the Guide
September 7, 2012 Departures from the Guide: OLAW Webinar, September 13
August 30, 2012 MSMR Workshop: October 1-2, Wellesley, MA
August 10, 2012 IACUC 101/201 PLUS Workshops: September 19-20, Little Rock, AR
August 3, 2012 Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: August Issue
July 25, 2012 "Housing Laboratory Rodents According to the 8th Edition of the Guide" Webinar Available for Viewing
July 13, 2012 Housing Laboratory Rodents According to the 8th Edition of the Guide: OLAW Webinar, July 19
July 12, 2012 Transcript of "Grants Policy and Congruence" Webinar now Available
June 26, 2012 Federal Register Notice of Clarification of Position Statements on Implementation of the Guide
June 12, 2012 "Grants Policy and Congruence" Webinar Available for Viewing
June 1, 2012 Notice of Clarification of Position Statements on Implementation of the Guide
May 30, 2012 Clarification of Position Statements on Implementation of the Guide
May 23, 2012 Grants Policy and Congruence: OLAW Webinar, June 7
May 10, 2012 Updated Transcript of "Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals" Webinar
May 3, 2012 IACUC 101/201 PLUS Workshops: June 13-14, Virginia Beach, VA
April 25, 2012 New OLAW Webinars Available for Viewing
April 20, 2012 Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Human and Animal Diagnostic Laboratories
April 17, 2012 Unraveling Cyno DNA: May 10, Pennington, NJ
April 13, 2012 USDA AWIC Workshop: May 9-10, Beltsville, MD
April 10, 2012 Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: April Issue
April 5, 2012 Updated OLAW Useful Links
April 3, 2012 Performance Standards: OLAW Webinar, April 19
March 30, 2012 IACUC Administrators' Best Practices Meeting: May 30-31, Denver, CO
March 26, 2012 NCABR IACUC 2012 Conference: May 2-3, Research Triangle Park, NC
March 15, 2012 SCAW IACUC Training Workshop: April 30, Baltimore, MD
March 13, 2012 Breeding Software Program: Conditional Allele Mouse Planner (CAMP)
March 8, 2012 Change in Criteria for Renewal of Foreign Assurances
March 6, 2012 “Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals” Seminar Available for Viewing
March 2, 2012 IACUC 101 Workshop: April 11, Irvine, CA
February 27, 2012 Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: March Issue
February 21, 2012 March 1 OLAW Webinar: Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals
February 13, 2012 USDA AWIC Workshop: March 14-15, Beltsville, MD
February 2, 2012 New VAS Factsheet to Assist Applicants
January 31, 2012 Advancing Technology & The 3Rs: March 2, Somerset, NJ
January 30, 2012 Comment Period on OLAW Position Statements Extended to February 3, 2012
January 27, 2012 IACUC 101 Workshop and PRIM&R 2012 IACUC Conference: March 19-21, Boston, MA
January 24, 2012 SCAW IACUC Training Workshop: March 9, Orlando, FL
January 20, 2012 Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: February Issue
January 18, 2012 New OLAW Webpage on Obtaining an Assurance
January 12, 2012 2012 IACUC Regional Education Conference: February 24, Seattle, WA
January 10, 2012 ILAR Journal Volume 52(3): Animal Models of Drug Addictions: High Hopes for Therapeutic Treatments


News Flash Items
"The 2012 Annual Report to OLAW" Webinar Available for Viewing

Posted: December 20, 2012

A recording of the OLAW Online Seminar, “The 2012 Annual Report to OLAW”, held December 13, 2012 has been posted on the OLAW website. View the webinar to learn what information about implementation of the Guide 8th Edition is to be reported and how to complete your 2012 annual report. The recording, slides, and transcript can be found on the Education Resources webpage.



OLAW Welcomes Ms. Doreen Bartlett

Posted: December 18, 2012

OLAW is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Doreen H. Bartlett to the position of Senior Assurance Officer, Division of Assurances. Ms. Bartlett comes to OLAW with 36 years of experience working with animals, 22 of those years involving animal models of human disease and management of animal research facilities. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Maryland and an Associate of Arts in Veterinary Technology from Essex Community College. She is certified as a Laboratory Animal Technologist and at the national level as a Registered Veterinary Technician. In 1990, Ms. Bartlett came to the NIH as a contractor with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). In 1996, Ms. Bartlett became the Government Manager of the NICHD Shared Facility managing the care of various laboratory animal species including sea urchins, Xenopus, and zebrafish. With the dramatic increase in the use of zebrafish as a research animal model, Ms. Bartlett became the first Laboratory Facilities and Fisheries Manager for NICHD in 2002, managing a diversity of zebrafish and Xenopus facilities at the NIH.



NIH Recovery Actions and Resources for Institutions Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Posted: December 10, 2012

In addition to the health and safety of people and animals in programs the NIH supports, there is also a deep concern about the health of the biomedical enterprise in the affected area when disaster hits. The NIH is committed to working with researchers and institutions to ensure that NIH-funded research continues.

The NIH has posted a list of available resources and actions being taken in response to Hurricane Sandy including guidance on animal welfare issues. Investigators whose research depends on animal resources should coordinate closely with respective Institutional Officials and IACUCs to ensure recovery efforts proceed in a humane and scientifically appropriate manner. This information is available in NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-13-013.



Proceedings of the Symposium on Animal Welfare and Scientific Research: 1985 to 2010

Posted: December 4, 2012

The ILAR Journal has published the Proceedings of the Symposium on Animal Welfare and Scientific Research: 1985 to 2010. This symposium was held in October 2010 to commemorate 25 years of biomedical research conducted under the U.S. Government Principles, the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations. The proceedings and a recap of the event can be found at AWSR Symposium.



The 2012 Annual Report to OLAW: December 13, OLAW Webinar

Posted: November 30, 2012

OLAW required Assured institutions to implement the Guide 8th Edition during calendar year 2012. Join OLAW on December 13, 2012 for a webinar “The 2012 Annual Report to OLAW” to learn what information about implementation is to be reported to OLAW and how to complete your 2012 Annual Report. 

The OLAW Online Seminars program is a free webinar series to help IACUCs and IOs explore their responsibilities in the oversight of PHS-funded research that involves the use of live vertebrate animals. A one-time enrollment is required to participate in the program. Find out more at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/e-seminars.htm.



NJABR 3Rs Sharing Conference II: February 27, Somerset, NJ

Posted: November 20, 2012

The New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research (NJABR) will present the “3Rs Sharing Conference II” on February 27, 2013 in Somerset, NJ. The Power & Potential of Refinement & Reduction will highlight reduction and refinement strategies, recognizing in addition to replacement, these 2Rs play a specific and important role in advancing science, and the overall 3Rs efforts while improving of animal welfare. For more information, go to http://njabr.com/events/current-events/3rs-sharing-conference-ii/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



Essentials of IACUC Administration: November 29-30, San Diego, CA

Posted: November 16, 2012

The Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) will present Essentials of IACUC Administration on November 29-30, 2012, in San Diego, CA. This one and half day program provides IACUC administrators and support staff, as well as training and compliance personnel, with an overview of how to effectively manage an animal care and use program. For more information, visit www.primr.org/Nov2012Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



2012 International Conference on Sustainable Laboratories: Choosing the Right Equipment

Posted: November 14, 2012

The 2012 International Conference on Sustainable Laboratories: Choosing the Right Equipment will be held December 13-14, 2012 at Natcher Auditorium, NIH, Bethesda, MD.

The conference will feature experts addressing sustainability and energy conservation for a variety of laboratory equipment used in biomedical research, animal facilities and health care facilities. The focus of the event will be choosing 'green' equipment that is compatible with the ongoing research and building operation. Conference participants will learn about energy efficient technologies and solutions that are available when they purchase new or replacement equipment for their facilities.

Registration is free, but seating is limited. For more information, visit 2012 International Conference.



Annual Reports to OLAW due January 31, 2013

Posted: November 8, 2012

Annual reports for the period January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 are due to OLAW by January 31, 2013 as required by the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

2012 Annual Report Requirement
Effective January 1, 2012, NIH required Assured institutions to base their animal care and use programs on the standards of the 8th Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide). Assured institutions must complete at least one (of the two required) semiannual program review and facility evaluation using the 8th Edition of the Guide as the basis for evaluation by December 31, 2012. It is not required that all necessary changes be completed by December 31, 2012, but rather that an evaluation must be conducted and a plan and schedule for implementation of the standards in the 8th Edition of the Guide must be developed by December 31, 2012. (See NOT-OD-12-020)

Verification of Implementation of the 8th Edition of the Guide
Institutions must verify to OLAW in their 2012 annual report that they have met the required schedule for implementation of the Guide as described above. The Annual Report to OLAW has been updated with a series of statements and check boxes to allow easy verification of implementation by Assured institutions. Please use this sample document for the 2012 reporting period.

What to Include
As with previous annual reports, the information to be reported consists of any change in the institution’s program of animal care and use, any change in the Institutional Official or IACUC membership, the dates that the IACUC conducted its semiannual evaluations of the program and facilities, and any minority view by an IACUC member. Additional information and instructions can be found in the Annual Report to OLAW sample document.

How to Submit
Email the signed annual report in PDF format to olawarp@mail.nih.gov by January 31, 2013 (but not before December 31, 2012). If you have questions or need assistance, contact OLAW at 301-496-7163.



Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: November Issue

Posted: November 7, 2012

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW and USDA” responds to the topic “Amendment submitted; protocol reviewed?” in the November 2012 issue. Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2012; 41(11). (PDF - 144 KB)

To further explore this and other topics, browse the OLAW Topic Index. For additional information, visit OLAW.



Corrections to OLAW Guidance Resources on Departures from the Guide

Posted: November 1, 2012

Corrections have been made on several resource materials providing guidance on reporting departures from the Guide. On the Table of Reporting Requirements (PDF - 75 KB), Section C.1. Should reporting requirement: Report to IO was changed from “Semiannual report” to “No”. On the Webinar Transcript (October 4, 2012) (PDF - 141 KB) and Webinar Slides (October 4, 2012) (PDF - 294 KB), the Guide page number referenced on slide 22 was changed from 3 to 35. All other guidance is unchanged. Be sure to reference the current versions of these materials. Learn more at Departures from the Guide.

For questions, comments or suggestions, email olaw@od.nih.gov.



IACUC Administrators’ Best Practices Meeting: November 8-9, Boston, MA

Posted: October 22, 2012

The IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) will be presenting a Best Practices Meeting on November 8-9, 2012 in Boston, MA. This 2-day meeting is for IACUC staff and animal program operations personnel to present and share best practices in the humane care and use of laboratory animals. For more information, visit IAA Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer, email wgg3@psu.edu, or download the agenda (PDF - 34KB).



63rd AALAS National Meeting: November 4-8, Minneapolis, MN

Posted: October 19, 2012

The 63rd AALAS National Meeting will be held on November 4-8, 2012 in Minneapolis, MN. The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) National Meeting is the largest gathering in the world for professionals concerned with the production, care and use of laboratory animals. For more information, go to http://www.aalas.org/nationalmeeting/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



Updated Guidance on Reporting Departures from the Guide

Posted: October 5, 2012

OLAW has updated guidance on reporting departures from the Guide. Attendees of the OLAW webinar “Departures from the Guide” raised questions about one of the scenarios used as an example of an IACUC-approved departure. After further review, we agree that this scenario was misclassified and is actually a specifically described Guide exception that is not a departure. We now have a new webpage where you can find the updated guidance on Departures from the Guide. Here you will find links to the revised FAQ C7, a downloadable table, and additional references. To ensure that OLAW guidance is accurate, the webinar has been revised and re-recorded. Webinar recordings, transcripts, and slides can be found under Education Resources. The guidance in NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-12-148 is unchanged.



ASLAP Continuing Education Seminar: November 3, Minneapolis, MN

Posted: October 3, 2012

The American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) will present the Continuing Education Seminar: Challenging Animal Models on November 3, 2012 in Minneapolis, MN. Topics will include infectious disease, surgery/transplantation and neurodegenerative disease models. For more information, go to http://www.aslap.org/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



NJABR IACUC 19 Conference: October 19, Somerset, NJ

Posted: September 25, 2012

The New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research (NJABR) will present “IACUC 19; The Charge & The Challenge Conference” on October 19, 2012 in Somerset, NJ. For more information, go to http://njabr.com/events/current-events/iacuc-19/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



SCAW IACUC Training Workshop: October 4, San Diego, CA

Posted: September 21, 2012

The Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) will present an IACUC Training Workshop on October 4, 2012 in San Diego, CA. SCAW developed this one-day educational workshop for experienced Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members and administrators, principal investigators, attending veterinarians, regulatory personnel and laboratory animal care staff. The program focuses on topics such as advanced protocol review and provides opportunities for small discussion groups and sharing of information among participants.

For program, registration and accommodation information, visit http://www.scaw.com/conferences--workshops/training-workshops/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



USDA AWIC Workshop: October 3-4, Beltsville, MD

Posted: September 20, 2012

Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act: A Workshop

The USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) teaches a one and a half day workshop at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland for individuals who are responsible for providing information to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The workshop is targeted for principal investigators, members of IACUCs, information providers, administrators of animal use programs, and veterinarians.

Course objectives are to provide:

  • Overview of the AWA and its information requirements
  • Review of the alternatives concept
  • Introduction to NAL, AWIC and other organizations
  • Instruction on the use of existing information databases/networks
  • On-line database searching experience
The next workshop is October 3-4, 2012 in Beltsville, MD. For more information, go to http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/awicworkshops/regform.htm.



Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: September Issue

Posted: September 19, 2012

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW and USDA” responds to the topic “Reactivation of a suspended protocol” in the September 2012 issue. Click to download the column Lab Animal. 2012; 41(9). (PDF - 160 KB)

To further explore this and other topics, browse the OLAW Topic Index. For additional information, visit OLAW.



OLAW is on Twitter

Posted: September 19, 2012

OLAW is now on Twitter. Follow @NIH_OLAW for OLAW news and highlights, plus announcements of upcoming educational workshops and other programs designed to foster compliance with the PHS Policy.



Guidance on Departures from the Provisions of the Guide

Posted: September 10, 2012

Guidance on Departures from the Provisions of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has been published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on September 10, 2012, NOT-OD-12-148. In this Notice, OLAW provides guidance on review and reporting requirements for departures from the Eighth Edition of the Guide. For additional information and examples of departures, see OLAW FAQ C7.



Departures from the Guide: OLAW Webinar, September 13

Posted: September 7, 2012

Join us for a webinar: “Departures from the Guide” on September 13, 2012 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET. The 8th Edition of the Guide emphasizes performance standards and provides increased flexibility in the management and oversight of animal care and use programs. Has this expanded focus on performance standards left you wondering about the PHS requirement to report departures from the Guide in the semiannual report to the IO? Participate in this Webinar for an in depth explanation of why, what, and when to report.

The OLAW Online Seminars program is a free webinar series to help IACUCs and IOs explore their responsibilities in the oversight of PHS-funded research that involves the use of live vertebrate animals. A one-time enrollment is required to participate in the program. Find out more at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/e-seminars.htm.



MSMR Workshop: October 1-2, Wellesley, MA

Posted: August 30, 2012

The Massachusetts Society for Medical Research (MSMR) will present “The Three I’s: IACUCs, IBCs & IRBs” on October 1-2, 2012 in Wellesley, MA. MSMR workshops are a combination of expert lecture and symposium and hand-on case-method and role-play learning. For more information, go to http://www.msmr.org/workshops.htmlLink to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



IACUC 101/201 PLUS Workshops: September 19-20, Little Rock, AR

Posted: August 10, 2012

IACUC 101/201 PLUS Workshops will be held September 19-20, 2012 in Little Rock, AR. Support for this program was provided in part by NIH OLAW.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals. Participants have the opportunity to practice what they have learned when they are challenged to consider, deliberate, and develop action plans for a variety of potential IACUC scenarios.

IACUC 201 PLUS is highly interactive advanced program that builds upon the fundamentals learned in IACUC 101, applying them to the process and mechanisms of ensuring compliance. The program includes six workshops delivered to three audience tracks based on IACUC role, responsibility, and interests. Workshops address protocol review, program review, facility inspection plus additional timely topics. The program also includes a complex faculty scenario that combines multiple IACUC challenges.

Program information – For program, registration and accommodation information, visit IACUC 101.



Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: August Issue

Posted: August 3, 2012

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW and USDA” responds to the topic “Management of a holding protocol” in the August 2012 issue. Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2012; 41(08). (PDF - 96 KB)

To further explore this and other topics, browse the OLAW Topic Index. For additional information, visit OLAW.



"Housing Laboratory Rodents According to the 8th Edition of the Guide" Webinar Available for Viewing

Posted: July 25, 2012

A recording of the OLAW Online Seminar, “Housing Laboratory Rodents According to the 8th Edition of the Guide”, held July 19, 2012 has been posted on the OLAW website. View the webinar to learn about rodent housing and breeding practices. The recording and supporting materials can be found on the Education Resources page.



Housing Laboratory Rodents According to the 8th Edition of the Guide: OLAW Webinar, July 19

Posted: July 13, 2012

Join us for a special 2 hr webinar: “Housing Laboratory Rodents According to the 8th Edition of the Guide” on July 19, 2012 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM ET. This webinar will focus on rodent housing and breeding practices at PHS Assured institutions. Collaborators Dr. Guy Mulder of Charles River Laboratories and Dr. Joe Garner of Stanford University will present a framework for assessing rodent well-being from the perspective of a large commercial breeder and an academic researcher. Dr. Axel Wolff will present the OLAW position.

The OLAW Online Seminars program is a free webinar series to help IACUCs and Institutional Officials (IOs) explore their responsibilities in the oversight of PHS-funded research that involves the use of live vertebrate animals.



Transcript of "Grants Policy and Congruence" Webinar now Available

Posted: July 12, 2012

A transcript of the OLAW Webinar, “Grants Policy and Congruence”, held June 7, 2012 has been posted on the OLAW website. The transcript includes additional submitted questions and comments that were not addressed during the live broadcast with responses from OLAW. The transcript, recording and supporting materials can be found on the Education Resources page.



Federal Register Notice of Clarification of Position Statements on Implementation of the Guide

Posted: June 26, 2012

On June 26, 2012, the NIH published a Federal Register Notice of Clarification of Position Statements on Implementation of the Eighth Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide). The NIH is providing clarification after analyzing public comments received regarding the 10 Position Statements that were developed to aid Assured institutions in their implementation of the 8th Edition of the Guide. Download the Notice (PDF).

See also: NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-12-112 and OLAW webpage on Adoption of the Guide.



"Grants Policy and Congruence" Webinar Available for Viewing

Posted: June 12, 2012

A recording of the OLAW Online Seminar, “Grants Policy and Congruence”, held June 7, 2012 has been posted on the OLAW website. View the webinar to learn about the requirements for assuring congruence between grant applications and what the IACUC has approved in the animal study protocol. The recording and supporting materials can be found on the Education Resources page.



Notice of Clarification of Position Statements on Implementation of the Guide

Posted: June 1, 2012

Notice of Clarification of Position Statements on Implementation of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals has been published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on June 1, 2012, NOT-OD-12-112. This Notice announces that NIH has clarified the Position Statements that it released in December 2011. NIH is providing clarification after analyzing public comments received regarding the 10 Position Statements that were developed to aid Assured institutions in their implementation of the 8th Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide). In response to those comments, NIH has clarified Position Statements: 1) Cost, 2) Housing, 2a) Nonhuman Primate Housing, 2c) Rodent Housing and 3) Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Substances.

For a summary of changes, see the May 2012 Update Summary (PDF). For reference, an archive of the original version is available for download at December 2011 Position Statements (PDF). Clarification was also added to the related OLAW Frequently Asked Questions: G11, F16, F14, F10 and F4.

For questions or further information, e-mail olaw@od.nih.gov.



Clarification of Position Statements on Implementation of the Guide

Posted: May 30, 2012

OLAW is providing clarification after analyzing public comments received regarding the 10 Position Statements that were developed to aid Assured institutions in their implementation of the 8th Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. In response to those comments, OLAW has clarified Position Statements: 1) Cost, 2) Housing, 2a) Nonhuman Primate Housing, 2c) Rodent Housing, and 3) Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Substances. For more information, go to the OLAW Position Statements webpage.



Grants Policy and Congruence: OLAW Webinar, June 7

Posted: May 23, 2012

Join us for a webinar: “Grants Policy and Congruence” on June 7, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET. Dr. Patricia Brown, OLAW Director, will discuss the requirements for assuring congruence between grant applications and what the IACUC has approved in the animal study protocol. Included will be a discussion of various mechanisms for developing and implementing a program to manage these requirements.

The OLAW Online Seminars program is a free webinar series to help IACUCs and Institutional Officials (IOs) explore their responsibilities in the oversight of PHS-funded research that involves the use of live vertebrate animals.



Updated Transcript of "Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals" Webinar

Posted: May 10, 2012

An updated transcript of the OLAW Webinar, “Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals”, held March 1, 2012 has been posted on the OLAW website. The update includes additional submitted questions and comments that were not addressed during the live broadcast with responses from OLAW, USDA and AAALAC. The transcript, recording and supporting materials can be found on the Education Resources page.



IACUC 101/201 PLUS Workshops: June 13-14, Virginia Beach, VA

Posted: May 3, 2012

IACUC 101/201 PLUS Workshops will be held June 13-14, 2012 in Virginia Beach, VA. Support for this program was provided in part by the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals.

IACUC 201 PLUS is highly interactive advanced program that builds upon the fundamentals learned in IACUC 101, applying them to the process and mechanisms of ensuring compliance. The program includes six workshops delivered to three audience tracks based on IACUC role, responsibility, and interests. Workshops address protocol review, program review, facility inspection plus additional timely topics. The program also includes a complex faculty scenario that combines multiple IACUC challenges.

Program information – For program, registration and accommodation information, see https://www.123signup.com/event?id=cyqqhLink to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



New OLAW Webinars Available for Viewing

Posted: April 25, 2012

Recordings of OLAW webinars and supporting materials are posted on the Education Resources webpage. Here you will find 2 new webinars. On April 19, OLAW presented “Performance Standards” as part of the Online Seminars series for IACUCs and IOs. View this webinar to learn about developing and applying performance standards as recommended in the 8th Edition of the Guide, including considerations for social housing and enrichment, plus cage/pen space. On April 18, OLAW presented “Research Involving Animals” at the NIH Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration. This webinar provides guidance to grants administrators, researchers new to NIH funding, and graduate students on policies related to research activities involving animals.



Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Human and Animal Diagnostic Laboratories

Posted: April 20, 2012

Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Human and Animal Diagnostic Laboratories was published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Supplement, Vol. 61, 2012. These guidelines address the unique needs of human and animal diagnostic laboratories. To view or download the guide, go to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/ind2012_su.html.



Unraveling Cyno DNA: May 10, Pennington, NJ

Posted: April 17, 2012

On May 10, 2012 in Pennington, NJ, the New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research (NJABR) will present Unraveling Cyno DNA: Mapping a Path to Better Research Models, a conference for investigators working with nonhuman primate models. For program and registration information, visit http://njabr.com/events/current-events/unraveling-cyno-dna-mapping-a-path-to-better-research-models/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



USDA AWIC Workshop: May 9-10, Beltsville, MD

Posted: April 13, 2012

Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act: A Workshop

The USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) teaches a one and a half day workshop at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland for individuals who are responsible for providing information to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The workshop is targeted for principal investigators, members of IACUCs, information providers, administrators of animal use programs, and veterinarians.

Course objectives are to provide:

  • Overview of the AWA and its information requirements
  • Review of the alternatives concept
  • Introduction to NAL, AWIC and other organizations
  • Instruction on the use of existing information databases/networks
  • On-line database searching experience

The next workshop is May 9-10, 2012 in Beltsville, MD. For more information, go to http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/awicworkshops/regform.htm.



Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: April Issue

Posted: April 10, 2012

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW” responds to the topic “Amending a protocol to import and breed knockout mice” in the April 2012 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2012; 41(04). (PDF - 155 KB)

To further explore this and other topics, browse the OLAW Topic Index. For additional information, visit OLAW.



Updated OLAW Useful Links

Posted: April 5, 2012

OLAW has updated the Useful Links webpage. Here you will find a new section on ethics, a listing of publications and reports by topic, plus many more useful references. For additional information, visit OLAW.



Performance Standards: OLAW Webinar, April 19

Posted: April 3, 2012

Join us for a special webinar: “Performance Standards” on April 19, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET. Presenters are Janet C. Garber, DVM, PhD, Garber Consulting and Susan Silk, MS, Division of Policy and Education, OLAW, NIH. Dr. Garber was the chair of the expert committee that developed the 8th Edition of the Guide. The webinar will focus on development and application of performance standards as recommended in the Guide, including considerations for social housing and environmental enrichment, plus cage/pen space.

The OLAW Online Seminars program is a free webinar series to help Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) and Institutional Officials (IOs) explore their responsibilities in the oversight of PHS-funded research that involves the use of live vertebrate animals. For program information, go to OLAW Online Seminars.



IACUC Administrators' Best Practices Meeting: May 30-31, Denver, CO

Posted: March 30, 2012

The IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) will be presenting a Best Practices Meeting on May 30-31, 2012 in Denver, CO. This 2-day meeting is for IACUC staff and animal program operations personnel to present and share best practices in the humane care and use of laboratory animals. For more information, visit IAA Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer or email wgg3@psu.edu.



NCABR IACUC 2012 Conference: May 2-3, Research Triangle Park, NC

Posted: March 26, 2012

On May 2-3, 2012 in Research Triangle Park, NC, the North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR) will present IACUC 2012, a conference for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members and administrators, attending veterinarians, regulatory personnel, principal investigators, and laboratory animal care staff who are interpreting and implementing the Guide for the Care of Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition. For program and registration information, visit http://www.ncabr.org/iacucLink to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



SCAW IACUC Training Workshop: April 30, Baltimore, MD

Posted: March 15, 2012

The Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) will present an IACUC Training Workshop on April 30, 2012 in Baltimore, MD. SCAW developed this one-day educational workshop for experienced Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members and administrators, principal investigators, attending veterinarians, regulatory personnel, and laboratory animal care staff. The program focuses on topics such as advanced protocol review and provides opportunities for small discussion groups and sharing of information among participants.

For program, registration and accommodation information, visit http://www.scaw.com/conferences--workshops/training-workshops/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



Breeding Software Program: Conditional Allele Mouse Planner (CAMP)

Posted: March 13, 2012

Conditional Allele Mouse Planner (CAMP) is a software program to help scientists set up a breeding strategy and calculate the costs of generating mice with conditional alleles. The software was created at the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and published in Transgenic Res. 2011 Aug 26 [Epub ahead of print]. To access the free application, go to http://helixweb.nih.gov/CAMP/.



Change in Criteria for Renewal of Foreign Assurances

Posted: March 8, 2012

Notice of a change in the criteria for renewing the Animal Welfare Assurance for Foreign Institutions (Foreign Assurance) has been published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on March 8, 2012, NOT-OD-12-081. Previously, Foreign Assurances were renewed, regardless of funding, every five years, provided that the institution submitted a renewal Foreign Assurance document to OLAW prior to the expiration date. Under the new criteria, Foreign Assurances are renewed only if the institution has current PHS funding.

For questions or further information, e-mail olawdoa@od.nih.gov.



“Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals” Seminar Available for Viewing

Posted: March 6, 2012

A recording of the OLAW Online Seminar, “Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals”, held March 1, 2012 has been posted on the OLAW website. The seminar recording and supporting materials can be found on the Education Resources page.



IACUC 101 Workshop: April 11, Irvine, CA

Posted: March 2, 2012

An IACUC 101 Workshop will be held April 11, 2012 in Irvine, CA. Support for this program was provided in part by the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals.

Program information – For program, registration and accommodation information, see https://www.123signup.com/event?id=cdqhz.



Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: March Issue

Posted: February 27, 2012

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW and USDA” responds to the topic “Disagreement between IO and IACUC” in the March 2012 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2012; 41(03). (PDF - 181 KB)

To further explore this and other topics, browse the OLAW Topic Index. For additional information, visit OLAW.



March 1 OLAW Webinar: Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals

Posted: February 21, 2012

Join us for a webinar – Use of Non-Pharmaceutical-Grade Chemicals and Other Substances in Research with Animals – March 1, 2012 at 1:00 PM ET. Presenters are Patricia Brown, VMD, MS, DACLAM, OLAW, NIH, Carol Clarke, DVM, DACLAM, Animal Care, APHIS, USDA, and Christian Newcomer, VMD, DACLAM, AAALAC International.

The OLAW Online Seminars program is a free webinar series to help Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) and Institutional Officials (IOs) explore their responsibilities in the oversight of PHS-funded research that involves the use of live vertebrate animals. For program information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/e-seminars.htm.



USDA AWIC Workshop: March 14-15, Beltsville, MD

Posted: February 13, 2012

Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act: A Workshop

The USDA Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) teaches a one and a half day workshop at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland for individuals who are responsible for providing information to meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The workshop is targeted for principal investigators, members of IACUCs, information providers, administrators of animal use programs, and veterinarians.

Course objectives are to provide:

  • Overview of the AWA and its information requirements
  • Review of the alternatives concept
  • Introduction to NAL, AWIC and other organizations
  • Instruction on the use of existing information databases/networks
  • On-line database searching experience
The next workshop is March 14-15, 2012 in Beltsville, MD. For more information, go to http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/awicworkshops/regform.htm.



New VAS Factsheet to Assist Applicants

Posted: February 2, 2012

Preparing the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS) – is a new factsheet developed by OLAW to assist applicants in completing the VAS of grant applications, contract proposals and cooperative agreements for submission to the NIH. Here you will find an overview of the requirements for each of the 5 points of the VAS. The VAS factsheet can be found on the OLAW homepage under Fast Facts or downloaded at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/VASfactsheet_v12.pdf (PDF).

Additional information can be found in the VAS worksheets for Grant Applications (PDF) and Contract Proposals (PDF).



Advancing Technology & The 3Rs: March 2, Somerset, NJ

Posted: January 31, 2012

On March 2, 2012 in Somerset, NJ, the New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research (NJABR) will present Advancing Technology & The 3Rs, a conference for “sharing strategies that advance bioscience and animal welfare.”

For program and registration information, visit http://njabr.com/events/current-events/advancing-technology-the-3rs/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



Comment Period on OLAW Position Statements Extended to February 3, 2012

Posted: January 30, 2012

Due to recent website accessibility issues, the comment period on OLAW Position Statements has been extended to February 3, 2012. Comments may be submitted at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2011positionstatement_comments/add.htm.



IACUC 101 Workshop and PRIM&R 2012 IACUC Conference: March 19-21, Boston, MA

Posted: January 27, 2012

Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) will present an IACUC 101 workshop on March 19 and the 2012 IACUC Conference on March 20-21, 2012 in Boston, MA.

IACUC 101 is a one-day didactic and interactive exploration of IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals.

PRIM&R 2012 IACUC Conference – “Assuring Compliance While Facilitating Research: Keeping a Healthy Tension” – marks the 30th anniversary of PRIM&R’s hosting conferences in the field of animal research. This two-day conference will include a range of keynote addresses, panels, workshops, and didactic sessions, designed to help build and strengthen an effective animal care and use program.

Program information – For program, registration, and accommodation information, visit http://www.primr.org/conferences.aspx?id=12057Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer

Support provided in part by the NIH OLAW, USDA APHIS Animal Care, and AAALAC International.



SCAW IACUC Training Workshop: March 9, Orlando, FL

Posted: January 24, 2012

The Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) will present an IACUC Training Workshop on March 9, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. SCAW developed this one-day educational workshop for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members and administrators, principal investigators, attending veterinarians, regulatory personnel and laboratory animal care staff. The program focuses on specific topics that are relevant to IACUC functions and provides opportunities for small discussion groups and sharing of information among participants.

For program, registration and accommodation information, visit http://www.scaw.com/conferences--workshops/training-workshops/Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



Updated Guidance in Lab Animal Protocol Review Column: February Issue

Posted: January 20, 2012

Visit the Guidance section on the OLAW website for updated Commentary on Lab Animal Protocol Review columns. “A word from OLAW and USDA” responds to the topic “IACUC approval of SOPs” in the February 2012 issue.

Click to download the column: Lab Animal 2012; 41(02). (PDF - 98 KB)

To further explore this and other topics, browse the OLAW Topic Index. For additional information, visit OLAW.



New OLAW Webpage on Obtaining an Assurance

Posted: January 18, 2012

OLAW has developed a new online resource – Obtaining an Assurance – to assist PHS awardee institutions in obtaining an Animal Welfare Assurance (Assurance). Here you will find an overview of the criteria and the process for obtaining an Assurance, a description of each type of Assurance, plus where to go for more information. The new Obtaining an Assurance webpage can be found on the OLAW homepage under Fast Facts or go to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/obtain_assurance.htm.



2012 IACUC Regional Education Conference: February 24, Seattle, WA

Posted: January 12, 2012

The Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR) is presenting the “2012 IACUC Regional Education Conference” on February 24, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. The one-day conference will bring together IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, researchers and laboratory animal care staff. There will be interactive discussions for new and experienced IACUC members, opportunities to ask questions of regulatory officials, and networking time with colleagues. For conference highlights and registration information, visit http://www.nwabr.org/members/iacucLink to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer



ILAR Journal Volume 52(3): Animal Models of Drug Addictions: High Hopes for Therapeutic Treatments

Posted: January 10, 2012

Animal Models of Drug Addictions: High Hopes for Therapeutic Treatments Link to Non-U.S. Government Site - Click for Disclaimer

The articles in this issue highlight the remarkable advances in the field of addiction research, drawing from a broad array of studies that have used animal models to elucidate brain mechanisms, structural and functional alterations, and associated behavioral changes. The strength and significance of these studies lie in the accuracy with which they model the clinical condition and thus contribute to effective translation. The authors also note some of the challenges and opportunities in the science of drug abuse and treatment of addiction.



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