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URMC / UCAR / Animal Use Protocols / New Investigator Information

Information for New Investigators Who Use Animals

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at the University of Rochester is called the University Committee on Animal Resources (UCAR).

New investigators must first arrange a meeting with our Attending Veterinarian and Executive Director of the Animal Resource, Dr. Pradeep Dumpala, and our UCAR Chairperson, Dr. Chris Stodgell. Contact the Animal Resource office at (585) 275-2651 to make an appointment with Dr. Dumpala. Contact the UCAR Office, at (585) 275-1693 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stodgell. UCAR will provide instruction regarding our protocol management platform, Topaz, and any necessary training.

Transferring a Grant From Another Institution

If transferring grants to the University of Rochester, please discuss your needs with the Attending Veterinarian and UCAR Chair as early as possible prior to your arrival and protocol submission.  Animal transfers from nonstandard sources (e.g., institutions, or other nonapproved vendors), must be arranged through the Animal Resource (please refer to the university’s Animal Resource website for Purchasing, Importing and Exporting Animals).

Animals may not be ordered until an Animal Use Protocol has been submitted for review via Topaz. Animal work may not begin until the protocol is approved by UCAR.  

Transferring Animals From Another Institution

If transferring animals, your protocols must be reviewed by a veterinarian prior to the anticipated arrival of the animals. Please notify the Animal Resource office and schedule a consult with one of our veterinarians. The protocol approval process through UCAR can continue while the animals are transferred and undergo quarantine.

Creating and Submitting an Animal Use Protocol

To create and submit an Animal Use Protocol, you must have access to the server that hosts Topaz. This requires a URMC domain account. If you work at the Medical Center, your department has probably requested this for you. Use these credentials to log in to Topaz and to access the server running Topaz via VPN when you are not at the University.

If you work on River Campus or certain sites off-campus, UCAR can request an account for you. This URMC domain account is used to access VPN and the server hosting Topaz, but will not be used for your email or other computer access. As a result, you will also need to provide us with the email address you will use for University communication.

Once you have a domain account, please email UCAR to obtain a Topaz account. Our office staff will set up the account, help you verify access, and arrange your Topaz training. Training is best done in person, but it can be completed via Zoom teleconference as well.

Please submit your Protocol at least 60 days before you require a verification letter.  For the PHS Just-in-time process, do not submit forms until the grant has been reviewed and has received a score that suggests funding is likely.  

If you do not have grant funding, UCAR requires that you submit a form to the Dean’s Research Advisory Committee (DRAC) for verification that the work has scientific merit. UCAR will provide information about this process at the time of Topaz training.

If you have any questions, please call the UCAR office at (585) 275-1693, or email the UCAR office or the UCAR Chair, Chris_Stodgell@URMC.Rochester.edu.

Required Training

All Principal Investigators and anyone that will work with animals are required to take the Animal Resource Orientation and animal use training before they begin working with animals. The UCAR office will inform you what training is required and how to enroll.

Grant Information

You may be asked for a statement about Veterinary Care by your granting agency.  Our current suggested statement is:

The facilities and programs of the Vivarium and Division of Comparative Medicine of the School of Medicine and Dentistry are fully accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC) and comply with state law, federal statute, and NIH policy.

The University of Rochester’s Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) faculty consists of three laboratory animal veterinarians (two ACLAM Board Certified). They are assisted by three licensed veterinary technicians as well as a full staff of animal care technicians. DCM is responsible for providing preventive, diagnostic, and clinical services for all laboratory animals, providing guidance to investigators regarding handling, immobilization, anesthesia, analgesia and euthanasia, as well as monitoring all surgery programs and the provision of appropriate post-surgical care. A veterinarian is always available during or after normal working hours, weekends and holidays. Animal care staff are trained to recognize signs of ill health, and a well-defined reporting mechanism is in place to ensure that such animals are examined by appropriate DCM personnel in a timely manner.

Contact Information

University Committee on Animal Resources (UCAR) Office
(585) 275-1693
UCAR@URMC.rochester.edu

Dr. Chris Stodgell, UCAR Chairperson
Chris_Stodgell@URMC.Rochester.edu

Dr. Pradeep Dumpala, Attending Veterinarian and Executive Director of the Animal Resource
(585) 275-2651
Pradeep_Dumpala@urmc.rochester.edu

Animal Resource Office
(585) 275-2651
Animal_Resource@URMC.Rochester.edu

You may also visit the Animal Resource homepage. Depending on what kind of work you are doing, you may need to contact with Environmental Health and Safety. New investigators should read their introduction (PI Welcome) from EHS.

Suggested References

The following are important documents, sources and websites for your reference: