Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee

PowerPoint Slides from the August 16th, 2022 Faculty Orientation

Tulane’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) comprises faculty, staff, veterinarians, and individuals from the community not affiliated with the University. The formation of an IACUC is mandated by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure the humane care and use of animals used in research and to ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations. The Institutional Official, the Vice President for Research, appoints IACUC members.

Tulane University has two committees for the New Orleans Campuses and the Tulane National Primate Research Center. The committees are guided by the goal of assuring humane care and the use of animals used in research; the committees ensure that a minimum number of animals are used to obtain valid data and that appropriate procedures are used to reduce pain and distress in animals. The IACUC encourages using alternative methods such as computer models and in vitro procedures or other life forms to obtain the same quality of data as that obtainable with a living animal. Tulane University IACUCs assist investigators with planning and conducting animal studies by the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles. The committees are also required by law to inspect and evaluate Tulane University animal facilities and its animal care program. 

The IACUC office supports the IACUC committees and works closely with the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS), the Office of Biosafety, and the Office of Occupational Healthcare Surveillance. 

Tulane University is an Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International accredited institution. The AAALAC International accreditation program evaluates organizations that use animals in research, teaching, or testing. Those organizations/institutions that meet or exceed AAALAC standards are awarded accreditation.  Accreditation benefits an institution and the animals in its care in many ways and raises the global benchmark for animal well-being in science.

IACUC Contact Information:

Main Office

Email: iacuc@tulane.edu

New Orleans Campuses Office: 504-988-6868

TNPRC Office: 985-871-6636