In an effort to foster communication between the Office of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and animal users, periodic notifications of updates which may impact your laboratory practices will be provided. Our goal is to facilitate research while supporting animal welfare and regular improvements are important to these efforts.  Please contact the IACUC Office (iacuc@uiowa.edu(link sends e-mail) or 335-7985) with any questions or concerns.

 

  1. Proper Aseptic Technique and Sterilization

Proper aseptic technique and sterilization of all surgical materials are essential for generating high‑quality data and safeguarding animal welfare. All laboratories are strongly encouraged to review their current procedures to confirm that appropriate measures are in place to minimize both overt and subclinical infections, thereby promoting animal welfare and enhancing study reproducibility. Researchers are also encouraged to consult their facility veterinarian with any questions regarding expectations or best practices for aseptic technique. Please see additional resources below.

 

  1. AAALAC International Site Visit – Fall 2026

Every three years our accrediting body, AAALACi, performs an onsite evaluation of our animal care and use program. AAALACi will be visiting the University of Iowa in the fall of 2026 (formal dates to be determined in late summer – watch for a follow up announcement). 

This visit includes review of all components of the program, not limited to review of: housing facilities, required documentation (IACUC minutes, animal protocols, semi-annual reports of facility inspections), and other animal use areas (e.g. laboratory surgical sites, satellite housing, etc).

See more at AAALACi’s “Preparing for a Site Visit.”

A word about AAALACi: AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving animal welfare in science and education through accreditation and education programs. AAALAC offers the only international accreditation for animal care and use in science and education. For more than 60 years, AAALAC has worked to bridge advances in both science and research and animal welfare by offering a comprehensive, peer-reviewed accreditation program.

Learn more about their accreditation standards.

 

  1. Policy updates:
  • Rodent Tail Snip for Genotyping:  The policy now clarifies that any procedure(s), other than a one-time collection in animals between 10-24 days of age, must be described and justified in the Animal Protocol. An example of a deviation is tail snip in mice greater than 24 days of age which requires use of a systemic analgesic given prior to tail snipping.  See updated policy here: https://animal.research.uiowa.edu/iacuc-policy-rodent-tail-snipping-genotyping
  • Blood Collection: The policy was updated to clarify the difference in superficial tail nick versus removal of a small portion of the end of the tail.  The latter method (referred to as tail snip, or tail transection) is not considered a routine method of blood collection and should be described as a non-surgical procedure with associated monitoring and pain management where appropriate. See updated policy here: https://animal.research.uiowa.edu/iacuc-guidelines-blood-collection
  • Housing of Social Species and Investigator Guidance for Monitoring and Managing New Weanling mice: These documents were updated to clarify that male mice from different litters can only be combined if done at the time of weaning (i.e., separating pups from their different breeding cage at the same time). This is to prevent fighting due to established social hierarchies once the cage is setup.  See IACUC Policy on Housing of Social Species and Investigator Guidance for Monitoring and Managing New Weanling mice.

 

  1. Personnel amendments:
  • New personnel: At the start of the summer and each new semester, personnel additions to animal laboratories are common.  Just a reminder that personnel must be approved on the protocol and have facility training before working with animals or entering animal facilities.  See our webpage about adding personnel: https://animal.research.uiowa.edu/personnel-amendments
  • Core personnel: Core personnel change often and labs need to be sure all core staff are on the protocol before use of their services. Examples include Metabolic Phenotyping Core Facility, Weiss – Echocardiography, Iowa Neurosceince Institute (INI) behavioral core, Free Radical and Radiation Research core, Small Animal Imaging Core, etc. Please consult with pertinent core leadership to ensure all necessary staff are listed. 

 

  1. Annual Refresher Training:

Just a reminder that if you are personnel listed on a protocol (as of the start of 2026), please be sure to complete the IACUC annual refresher training. Please contact the post-approval monitor (353-5881 or iacuc-pam@uiowa.edu) if you have any questions.