New Diet for Research Animals

Research Animal Resources has recently issued correspondence on a number of topics that may be of interest to investigators. These include our continuing efforts to improve rodent colony health, cost recovery for the rodent import and export processes, changes in the standard feeds for laboratory animals and standards of maintenance for research animal surgical facilities. This information is posted on the following website: https://quickplace.jhmi.edu/animalresources.

The decision to move to a new source diet impacts most laboratory animal species used in our program and may be of particular interest to investigators. Research Animal Resources has recently reviewed the characteristics and costs of the feed currently given to research animals and compared them with those of other commercial options. Based on both quality and cost measures, RAR has decided to switch from Purina feed to Harlan Teklad. RAR expects a smooth transition in implementing this institution-wide feed change by October 1, 2004. Researchers currently conducting experiments that might be affected by a switch in diet should contact RAR to have their current feed continued. For more information, contact Lindsay Barnes, Director of Laboratory Animal Management, Research Animal Resources, at lbarne15@jhmi.edu or 410-955-3273.

Important Reminders

The IACUC would like to remind everyone that in order to work with animals, individuals must be part of an IACUC-approved protocol. To add an individual to a protocol, please complete and submit the Personnel Amendment Form to the IACUC office. The form can be obtained from http://www.jhu.edu/animalcare/forms1.html

To obtain card-key access to animal facilities, you must be listed in an IACUC-approved animal use protocol. To add an individual to a previously approved protocol, please follow the procedure described above.

Research Animal Resources has developed a new Standard Operating Procedure for euthanasia of animals. This new procedure is posted in all central animal facilities.

The IACUC Office is located in Reed Hall B122. For additional information, call 443-287-3738; our fax number is 443-287-3747; our email address is: acuc@jhmi.edu.

We are in the process of customizing the new online protocol management process known as eSirius. Stay tuned for additional information. Online protocol submission will begin in 2005.

Seminar Series

"Semiannual Inspections: What Does it Mean for You?" will be presented on Thursday October 28, 2004 at 12:00PM in Ross 403. The next round of IACUC semi-annual inspections will be in the first two weeks of November.

A Rodent Surgery Class will be held on Thursday October 14, 2004 in Ross 403 at 9:00AM. The class size is limited to 10 people and registration is required. To register, send an email to acuc@jhmi.edu or call 443-287-3744 or 443-287-3738.

The IACUC, in conjunction with the Office of the Provost and the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, will hold a Town Hall Meeting for Animal Research on Thursday November 4, 2004 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Tilghman Room, Turner Building at the School of Medicine, East Baltimore.

For a complete listing of IACUC seminars please visit http://www.jhu.edu/animalcare/
training4.html.

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