News and Events
New Protocol Form
Posted: Oct-19-2009
Beginning November 1, 2009, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will be requiring the use of an updated protocol form for all new protocol submissions and the renewal of protocols in their third year. This form will be on the IACUC website shortly.
You will notice several changes to the form itself. We have made the changes to bring the University's program current with changing standards of animal care and use. It is hoped that the new forms will greatly reduce the amount of time required for review, and will ask the questions that most frequently hold up protocol review. In short, it is our hope that the new form will more comprehensively cover all of the required information.
In addition to the new form, several reference resources and checklists for required content have been provided, and will continue to be provided. We are working diligently to ensure you have adequate resources for your use.
We are also modifying the process for protocol review. Please note the expected chain of events, below:
1. You will submit your protocol to the IACUC office, via hard copy or e-mail (preferred) to iacuc@uconn.edu.
2. Your protocol will receive a pre-review in the IACUC office for required content, general structure, and items that will require further input from our side (Veterinary consultation, EH&S review, state and/or federal permits, etc.) It will also be assigned a number.
3. Rachael Shenyo, Senior IACUC Coordinator, will contact you if there are any required modifications prior to the protocol being submitted for primary review. A primary reviewer (member of the IACUC with sufficient knowledge to review the protocol) will be assigned by the chair or vice chair.
4. In an effort to streamline the process, once the protocol is deemed ready for primary review, the primary reviewer and veterinarian will receive it at the same time, and will coordinate the comments and questions on the protocol. They may choose to contact the PI for clarification and discussion at this point, as happened previously.
5. The primary reviewer will discuss only outstanding questions and concerns at the meeting where the protocol is presented, and will provide an overview of the proposed research and its importance.
It is hoped that the new system will reduce the time necessary for protocol approval, and will also reduce handling time by including all necessary review pieces upfront.
In order to facilitate the new process, we have posted new deadlines for submission. Please do not hesitate to contact the IACUC office if you have any questions regarding either the new process or forms that are being used.
The IACUC staff are planning to hold formal training sessions for using the new form and leveraging the new process, and the Senior IACUC Coordinator will be available by appointment to assist with protocol preparation during the transition time while the new form is being used. You may contact the office directly at any time.
Contact Information:
Rachael Shenyo
Senior IACUC Coordinator
860-486-0322
Christine Malloy, J.D.
IACUC Chair
860-486-9428
Arlene Jacobsen
IACUC Coordinator
860-486-4110
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