Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
News Archive: 2005

News Archive Table Of Contents
Date News Flash Description
December 7, 2005 January CDC 9th International Symposium on Biosafety
November 9, 2005 NIH Requests Information on New Standards for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
October 28, 2005 December SCAW Workshop on Challenges in a Changing World
September 30, 2005 ILAR Announces: Serendipity, Science, and Animals
August 22, 2005 October SCAW Advanced IACUC Workshop in Chicago, Illinois
August 19, 2005 IACUC 101 Workshop in Rochester, New York, in October
August 18, 2005 Conference, 'Minimizing the Challenges Associated with an Academic IACUC Program' in Pennsylvania in October-November
July 29, 2005 November 6 IACUC 101 Training to be held in St. Louis, Missouri
July 5, 2005 ILAR Announces: Immunization Procedures and Adjuvant Products
July 1, 2005 September SCAW Advanced IACUC Workshop in North Carolina
July 1, 2005 September IACUC 101 & 201 Workshops in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
June 24, 2005 OLAW Welcomes Eileen Morgan
May 6, 2005 NIH Announces OLAW Director Vacancy
March 25, 2005 May 11 and 12 IACUC 101 & 201 Workshops in Delray Beach, Florida
March 9, 2005 June Northwest Association for Biomedical Research Regional IACUC Conference
March 9, 2005 ILAR Announces: Enrichment Strategies for Laboratory Animals
February 24, 2005 Guidance on Prompt Reporting to OLAW
February 24, 2005 IACUC 101 Webpage
February 23, 2005 Dr. Wolff Appointed as Director, Division of Compliance Oversight, OLAW
January 10, 2005 ILAR Announces: Infectious Disease Research in the Age of Biodefense
January 7, 2005 "Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research" (PDF - 5.6 MB) Copyright 2003 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.


News Flash Items
January CDC 9th International Symposium on Biosafety

The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, NIH, will join the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Eagleson Institute and other organizations in co-sponsoring the CDC 9th International Symposium on Biosafety, �Current Challenges in Animal Biosafety and Biosecurity.� The meeting will be held January 21-25, 2006 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The meeting will cover topics such as occupational health, transport of infectious substances and transport of animals, animal facility operations and design and safety oversight. Details, agenda and registration are available at http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs and in the attached brochure.


NIH Requests Information on New Standards for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

The NIH is soliciting new scientifically valid information, methods or practices, published data or other advances in the humane care and use of laboratory animals in order to explore the need to update the laboratory animal welfare standards of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The Request for Information, NOT-OD-06-011, contains additional details and is available at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-06-011.html.


December SCAW Workshop on Challenges in a Changing World

The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, NIH, the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW), and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio will present the SCAW Winter Conference, �Institutional Challenges in a Changing World: How Will IACUC�s and Scientists Meet the Challenge.� The meeting will be held December 5-6, 2005, at The Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The SCAW workshop will include topics such as how are animal care programs and U.S. science changing in a global environment, professional judgment and pain/distress management, and the IACUC�s role�gatekeeper or facilitator. The conference agenda and a registration form are available at the SCAW website, http://www.scaw.com/conference.htm.


ILAR Announces: Serendipity, Science, and Animals

ILAR Journal Volume 46(4)

September 2005
ILAR Journal Volume 46(4), �Serendipity, Science, and Animals,� presents the rational exploitation of a chance observation. Although much has been written about serendipity in science, its significance in laboratory animal research has not received a great deal of attention. This issue of ILAR Journal, through the reflections of a variety of scientists, examines whether the experience of serendipity in animal research can shed light on the research process and point to possible improvement. Articles in this issue include:

  • Observation and Cogitation: How Serendipity Provides the Building Blocks of Scientific Discovery
  • Discovery Genetics: Serendipity in Basic Research
  • Serendipitous Insights Involving Nonhuman Primates
  • Serendipity and New Drugs for Infectious Disease
  • Serendipity and the Siamese Cat: The Discovery That Genes for Coat and Eye Pigment Affect the Brain
  • From Dogs to Frogs: How Pets, Laboratory Animals, and Wildlife Aided in Elucidating Harmful Effects Arising from a Hazardous Dumpsite
  • Report on the ILAR International Workshop on the Development of Science-based Guidelines for Laboratory Animal Care

To order this issue or articles in PDF, go to: http://nationalacademies.org/ilarjo, or call 202-334-2590, or e-mail ILAR@nas.edu. Publication of this issue of the ILAR Journal is partially supported by a grant from the NIH (5 P-40-RR-11611).


October SCAW Advanced IACUC Workshop in Chicago, Illinois

The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare will join the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare, the USDA Office of Animal Care, APHIS, and GlaxoSmithKline in presenting an advanced training course for members of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees on October 14, 2005. It will be held at the Chicago City Centre Holiday Inn, 300 East Ohio Street, Chicago, Illinois. IACUC-Advanced is a new program to train members of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs). This workshop is for experienced IACUC members and others who work with laboratory animals. The program will include small discussion groups and sharing of information among the participants on issues and controversies involving compliance with Federal laws and regulations in research activities involving animals.

The latest program and registration information is posted at http://scaw.com/iacuc-advanced.htm.


IACUC 101 Workshop in Rochester, New York, in October
On Thursday, October 6, the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Marshall BioResources, Dick Burnham Technical Sales, Charles River Laboratories, Purina Mills Lab Diet, Allentown Caging Equipment, and Scotts Distribution, Inc. will co-sponsor an IACUC 101 conference. The course will be held at the RIT Inn & Conference Center, 5257 West Henrietta Road, West Henrietta, New York, which is located within miles of the Rochester International Airport. The IACUC 101 is a full day didactic and interactive training course that provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of laboratory animals with examples and possible approaches for successful and effective administration. The program, registration, and hotel information are posted at http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/ucar/iacuc101.htm


Conference, 'Minimizing the Challenges Associated with an Academic IACUC Program' in Pennsylvania in October-November
The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare/NIH (OLAW) will join Pennsylvania State University (PSU)and the Ohio State University (OSU) in co-sponsoring a conference entitled, �Minimizing the Challenges Associated with an Academic IACUC Program.� This educational course will be held October 31 and November 1 at the Nittany Lion Inn at PSU in State College, Pennsylvania. The conference will focus on issues and seek to develop sound resolutions to those items revealed in a survey of over one hundred and twenty-five representatives from academic institutions who were asked to identify IACUC programmatic issues. The program has been designed to provide attendees with opportunities to learn from IACUC experts and colleagues. This interactive conference is targeted for front-line IACUC administrators but will also benefit compliance officers, IACUC Chairs, educators, veterinarians and others interested in IACUC operations. The conference agenda and registration information are available at: penn_state_reg_081805.doc (MSWord - 55 KB).


November 6 IACUC 101 Training to be held in St. Louis, Missouri
The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), National Institutes of Health, will co-sponsor an IACUC 101 Workshop right before the National AALAS Conference on November 6. IACUC 101 is a full-day didactic and interactive training course. Participants will receive an extensive Resources Manual plus other valuable reference materials and information. The session will be held at the Holiday Inn Select St. Louis-Downtown at the Convention Center, (314) 421-4000. For more information about the IACUC 101 Workshop, contact Mary Lou James at (314) 997-6896 or e-mail mljames@mo.net.

The program and registration information are posted at StLouis_110605.doc (MS Word - 55 KB).


ILAR Announces: Immunization Procedures and Adjuvant Products

ILAR Journal Volume 46(3)

June 2005

ILAR Journal Volume 46(3), �Immunization Procedures and Adjuvant Products,� presents an overview of new developments and insights in the study of immunization procedures and adjuvant products.   Substantial progress has been made in understanding the immune response, which has led to new technologies. The information in this issue is presented in an effort to help investigators and animal care and use committees maximize animal welfare without compromising the scientific research.  Article titles include the following:

  • Introduction: Laboratory Animals and Immunization Procedures: Challenges and Opportunities
  • Basic Concepts of Immune Response and Defense Development
  • Applications and Optimization of Immunization Procedures
  • Monoclonal Versus Polyclonal Antibodies: Distinguishing Characteristics, Applications, and Information Resources
  • Critical Steps in the Production of Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibodies: Evaluation and Recommendations
  • Adjuvants and Antibody Production: Dispelling the Myths Associated with Freund's Complete and Other Adjuvants
  • Refinement of Polyclonal Antibody Production by Combining Oral Immunization of Chickens with Harvest of Antibodies from the Egg Yolk
  • Using Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibodies in Regulatory Testing of Biological Products
  • Industrial Implementation of in Vitro Production of Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Advances in Monoclonal Antibody Technology: Genetic Engineering of Mice, Cells, and Immunoglobulins

To order this issue online, go to http://nationalacademies.org/ilarjo, or call 202-334-2590, or e-mail ILAR@nas.edu. Publication of this issue of the ILAR Journal is partially supported by a grant from the NIH (5 P-40-RR-11611).


September SCAW Advanced IACUC Workshop in North Carolina

The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare will join the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW), the USDA Office of Animal Care, APHIS, and GlaxoSmithKline in presenting an advanced training course for members of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees on September 19, 2005. It will be held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel & Convention Center, 4700 Emperor Boulevard, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. IACUC-Advanced is a new program to train members of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs). This workshop is for experienced IACUC members and others who work with laboratory animals. The program will include small discussion groups and sharing of information among the participants on issues and controversies involving compliance with Federal laws and regulations in research activities involving animals.

The latest program and registration information is posted at http://scaw.com/iacuc-advanced.htm.


September IACUC 101 & 201 Workshops in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

On Wednesday, September 21, and Thursday, September 22, 2005, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences of the University of South Dakota and the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare will co-sponsor two days of IACUC training at the Radisson Encore Hotel. The first day is a traditional IACUC 101 course, which is a full day didactic and interactive training course that provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of laboratory animals with examples and possible approaches for successful and effective administration. The second day is a special IACUC 201 course, which is a highly interactive program that takes the fundamentals of IACUC 101 and applies them to the process and mechanisms of ensuring compliance with a mock IACUC in the afternoon session to address complex scenarios.

The program and registration information are posted at http://www.usd.edu/brin/events/IACUC2005.htm.


OLAW Welcomes Eileen Morgan

OLAW is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Eileen Morgan to the position of Senior Assurance Officer, Division of Assurances. Eileen comes to OLAW with over 22 years experience in biomedical research involving animals and holds an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Animal Health Technology, and graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Management Studies, Technology Management.

Most recently Eileen served in the NIH Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR) where she was an Animal Resources Program Administrator and Chief of the Facility Management Branch. Prior to that Eileen was the Operations Manager for the Division of Comparative Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the Vivarium Manager for the American Red Cross, Holland Laboratory, Laboratory Animal Manager for Affinity Biotech, Inc., and Animal Facility Manager at the Cleveland Research Institute. Eileen is also a Registered Animal Health Technician and a Certified Laboratory Animal Technologist.


NIH Announces OLAW Director Vacancy

The National Institutes of Health seeks applications from exceptional candidates for the challenging position of Director, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), located in the Office of Extramural Research (OER). The OLAW Director provides executive leadership and direction to OLAW which is responsible for developing and coordinating appropriate Public Health Service (PHS) regulations, policies, and procedures on the humane care and use of laboratory animals involved in research conducted or supported by any component of the PHS, and reports directly to the NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research.

For full information concerning the duties and responsibilities of this position, salary and benefits available, required qualifications, and mandatory application procedures, interested candidates should visit the OER website at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer_vacancies.htm. Questions about the announcement should be directed to Debbie Martin at martinde@mail.nih.gov, and should reference the announcement number (OD-05-7883A). DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers.


May 11 and 12 IACUC 101 & 201 Workshops in Delray Beach, Florida

On Wednesday, May 11, and Thursday, May 12, the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare and Florida Atlantic University will co-sponsor IACUC 101 and 201 training at the Delray Beach Marriott Hotel. The IACUC 101-201 is a two-day didactic and interactive training course for new as well as current researchers, IACUC committee members, administrators, trainers, veterinarians, animal care staff, research staff, and institutional regulatory personnel and other members of the biomedical research community responsible for maintaining the highest level of care of laboratory animals. Participants will receive an extensive Resources Manual plus other valuable reference materials and information.

The program, registration, hotel and travel information are posted at: http://www.fau.edu/research/nih/index.html.


June Northwest Association for Biomedical Research Regional IACUC Conference

The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) will join the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research (NWABR) in presenting the 2005 IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) Regional Education Conference. The one and a half day (Thursday afternoon and all day Friday) Seminar will be held on June 23-24 in downtown Seattle, Washington. The agenda features topics for new and experienced IACUC committee members, administrators, veterinarians and staff. Featured speakers will include representatives from OLAW, USDA and AAALAC International. You will have an opportunity to interact with peers, colleagues and vendor sponsors. Registration is limited to 130 participants and there will be no on-site registration. The program is made possible through the sponsorship of OLAW and the Charles Revier Labs, Click Commerce, Harlan, Lab Products, NTM Consulting Service, Suburban Surgical, Summit Medical, Ancare, QUIP Labs, and TecniplastUSA.

The conference schedule and online registration are available at www.nwabr.org.

For more information, contact Reitha Weeks at NWABR on (206) 956-3651 or rweeks@nwabr.org.


ILAR Announces: Enrichment Strategies for Laboratory Animals

ILAR Journal March 2005 Volume 46(2)

March 2005

ILAR Journal Volume 46(2), "Environmental Strategies for Laboratory Animals" offers valuable insights into implementing and achieving successful enrichment programs for laboratory animals. A wide range of perspectives are presented, providing a solid basis for decision-making regarding the implementation and management of enrichment programs. Current strategies for many species are discussed, including nonhuman primates, dogs, cats, rodents, rabbits, and farm animals. Collectively, this issue of ILAR Journal provides a benchmark for current thinking and future directions for the role of enrichment in achieving the highest standards of animal care in research settings.

Detailed information relates to the regulatory basis for providing enrichment to laboratory animals; the potential impact of enrichment strategies on research outcomes; the significance of "managing" behavior; defining "enrichment"; modifying the environment to achieve enrichment; understanding behavior and measuring the effects of enrichment; effects on behavior and physiology; the respective roles of IACUCs, scientists, veterinarians, animal caretakers, and institutional officials; and the importance of evaluating the success of strategies.

Articles included in this issue are:

  • USDA Perspective on Environmental Enrichment for Animals
  • Mandatory "Enriched" Housing of Laboratory Animals: The Need for Evidence-based Evaluation
  • Stereotypies and Other Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors: Potential Impact on Validity, Reliability, and Replicability of Scientific Outcomes
  • Balancing Animal Research with Well-being: Establishment of Goals and Harmonization of Approaches
  • Environmental Enrichment: Potential for Unintended Consequences and Research Results
  • Modifications to Husbandry and Housing Condition of Laboratory Rodents for Improved Well-being
  • Environmental Enrichment for Laboratory Rodents
  • Environmental Enrichment for Laboratory Rodents and Rabbits: Requirements of Rodents, Rabbits, and Research
  • Enrichment and Nonhuman Primates: "First, Do No Harm...."
  • Environmental Enrichment for Nonhuman Primates: Theory and Application
  • Behavioral Management of Chimpanzees in Biomedical Research Facilities: The State of the Science
  • Enrichment Strategies for Laboratory Animals from the Viewpoint of Clinical Veterinary Behavioral Medicine: Emphasis on Cats and Dogs

To order this issue online, go to http://www.nationalacademies.org/pr4601, or call 202-334-2590, or e-mail: ILAR@nas.edu.

Publication of this issue of the ILAR Journal is supported by a grant from the NIH (5 P-40-RR-11611).


Guidance on Prompt Reporting to OLAW

New guidance for institutions in meeting the prompt reporting requirements of the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals is published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, NOT-OD-05-043, 2/24/2005, https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-05-034.html. The guidance is intended to assist IACUCs and Institutional Officials in determining what, when, and how situations should be reported under IV.F.3 of the PHS Policy, and to promote greater uniformity in reporting.


IACUC 101 Webpage

A new IACUC 101 webpage is available at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/iacuc101s.htm.

The IACUC 101 series of training programs are designed to provide IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, animal care staff, researchers, regulatory personnel and compliance officers with information on the role and responsibilities of IACUCs. The page provides information on hosting a 101, the 2005 schedule of OLAW sponsored 101s, and descriptions of each program in the 101 series.

Questions should be addressed to Mary Lou James, Regulatory Consultant, 314-997-6896, email: mljames@mo.net


Dr. Wolff Appointed as Director, Division of Compliance Oversight, OLAW

Axel Wolff, M.S., D.V.M., has been appointed as Director, Division of Compliance Oversight, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), Office of Extramural Research, NIH. Dr. Wolff has been serving in an acting capacity since May of 2004, prior to which he was a Senior Assurance Officer in OLAW's Division of Assurances. Dr. Wolff graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia's College of Veterinary Medicine and holds a Master's Degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee for work conducted with tropical fruit bats.

Before joining OLAW in 1999, Dr. Wolff was the Director of the Veterinary Resources Program, intramural NIH's centralized laboratory animal and biomedical research support program. He also served as the Director of both NIH's animal quarantine center in Poolesville, MD and the farm animal unit. An NIH employee of over 20 years, Dr. Wolff has also served in the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke Ft. Detrick facility working with animals under biocontainment. His interest in unique research animals has involved him with armadillos in leprosy studies as well as chimpanzees used in the examination of Kuru, a fatal brain disorder discovered in cannibals. Dr. Wolff is a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and has attained the rank of Captain. He serves on the editorial board of the journal Lab Animal and has published on various topics including primate environmental enrichment and PHS Policy interpretation. He also serves as faculty for IACUC 101 and represents OLAW in multiple educational and conference settings.


ILAR Announces: Infectious Disease Research in the Age of Biodefense

ILAR Journal January 2005

ILAR Journal Volume 46(1), "Infectious Disease Research in the Age of Biodefense" offers insight into regulatory, budgetary, safety, public relations, and resource issues associated with infectious disease research since the advent of the war on terrorism and the refocusing of US research efforts on biodefense.

Topics in this issue include new regulations and restrictions regarding select agents; approaches to infectious disease containment for laboratory and agricultural animal research; one institution�s experience in communicating with the public regarding infectious disease research; facility design recommendations; and administrative concerns due to shifts in research priorities. Article titles include the following:

  • Hidden Costs of Biodefense Research
  • Select Agent Regulations
  • Administrative Issues Related to Infectious Disease Research in the Age of Bioterrorism
  • Demand for Nonhuman Primate Resources in the Age of Biodefense
  • Facility Design Considerations for Select Agency Animal Research
  • Issues Related to the Use of Animals in Biocontainment Research Facilities
  • Working with Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Agents
  • Veterinary Medicine in the 21st Century: The Challenge of Biosecurity
  • Public Response to Infectious Disease Research: The UC Davis Experience

To order this issue online, go to http://www.nationalacademies.org/pr4601, or call 202-334-2590, or e-mail: ILAR@nas.edu.

Publication of this issue of the ILAR Journal is supported by a grant from the NIH (5 P-40-RR-11611).


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