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Helpful Hints for using Animals in
Research and Education at the MBL
- Look over the instruction sheet for the form entitled
INITIAL APPLICATION FOR THE USE OF VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. Researchers are
required by law to consider alternatives to the use of vertebrate
animals in research. Specifically:
- look over the lecture and lab procedures to see
how you might REFINE the laboratory exercises in ways that less harmful
or painful procedures might substitute for a traditional lab exercise;
- look for ways to REDUCE the total number of
animals used by avoiding unnecessary duplication of work or by doubling
up students for individual experiments. Extra animals can be shared
with other researchers. Check with the animal care staff for placement;
- and look for ways to REPLACE warm-blooded
laboratory animals with cold-blooded vertebrates, invertebrates, tissue
culture systems, or computer simulations.
- Carefully consider the appropriateness of using
aquatic animals for your laboratory exercises. The MBL is specifically
geared to provide high-quality aquatic animals for research. Not only
are aquatic animals often less expensive (e.g. in-house animals do not
require additional shipping charges and per diem charges) but much
expert advice is also available on campus for many aspects of their
aquatic biology. You are encouraged to take advantage of the local
talents for consultation and collaboration (see research guide) when
choosing an experimental animal. Using aquatic animals also increases
the opportunity to place students for special projects within other
labs.
- Consider the above issues when choosing faculty for
course specialty areas. Researchers who use aquatic animal models can
reduce your overall course costs as pointed out in 2) above.
- When designing lecture and lab schedules, allow for
time and space considerations and feel free to check with the animal
care staff on issues of availability, housing, and costs. In many cases
it is impossible to supply the type of animal, in the required
quantities, and by the date requested simply because of short notice.
Unusual animals, animals with specific care requirements or those that
require unusual amounts of labor are expensive in terms of overall
course costs. If a procedure requires large numbers of animals, numbers
of different species for comparative work, or requires special housing
requirements for an exotic animal, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE ANIMAL CARE
STAFF FOR INFORMATION AND ARRANGEMENTS IN ADVANCE OF APPROVING THE
FINAL LABORATORY SCHEDULE FOR YOUR COURSE.
- A useful way to view the overall animal needs for
your course is to create a master "animal use plan" to which you can
refer during the course. Useful information should include: Date of
animal order, Date of expected animal arrival (availability), Date
supervising faculty member arrives, and the Date(s) of expected use.
Such a chart will point out logistical conflicts that are solved more
effectively in the planning stage. Be advised that before any
vertebrate animal, can be used in a procedure at the MBL, IT MUST HAVE
AN APPROVED ANIMAL USE PROTOCOL #. These numbers are assigned by the
MBL IACUC only after review of your application. Protocols should be
submitted 3 weeks before the expected usage date so that unexpected
needs or last minute changes to laboratory exercises can be
accommodated. The animal care staff is usually able to accommodate all
reasonable requests. In general, animal orders from outside suppliers
must be placed a minimum of 2 weeks before the expected date of arrival
so make sure your protocols are submitted in time for both the IACUC's
review and, subsequently, for orders to be placed.
- Familiarize yourself with current MBL purchasing
requirements. All bird, amphibian, and mammal orders must be placed
through Daniel Johnson, the animal care technician (x7288,
djohnson@mbl.edu). Reptiles must be ordered directly from the
Purchasing Department. Aquatic animals that are available through the
current Marine Resources Catalogue can be purchased directly from the
Aquatic Resources Division. Please be aware that purchase orders for
vertebrate animals must now include your APPROVED PROTOCOL # or your
order cannot be placed. See the application instructions sheet for
additional information.
- Here is a list of contacts who can help you with
animal care issues:
Protocols, health certificates,
legal requirements, experimental or surgical procedures, special
housing requirements for warm blooded animals, and general questions on
veterinary care:
Special housing requirements for warm blooded animals
and general questions:
DANIEL JOHNSON
Animal Care Facility
Animal Care Coordinator
TEL: 508-289-7288
acf@mbl.edu
Aquatic animal selection, availability, housing,
support, and special housing requirements for aquatic animals:
EDWARD ENOS
Superintendent, Aquatic Resources Division
TEL: 508-289-7455
FAX: 508-548-7371
eenos@mbl.edu
Custom tank set-ups, water quality analysis, systems and
engineering support:
WILLIAM B. MEBANE
Superintendent, Systems Engineering Division
TEL: 508-289-7683
FAX: 508-548-7371
bmebane@mbl.edu
Forms, meeting schedules, copies of previous actions:
IACUC Recording Secretary
TEL: 508-289-7700
FAX: 508 289-7900
iacuc@mbl.edu
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