Research A to Z

Many materials commonly used during animal use procedures are combustible. Some examples include endotracheal tubes, eye lubricants, towels, drapes, dressings, gauze, sponges, whiskers, skin, and fur.

Second Phase of a cycle during which VHP is expelled in the room.  Length of this phase is based on room dimensions.

The process through which an animal's genetic make-up is determined using a sample taken from the animal.

A multi-purpose detergent and degreaser used to clean large animal pens and cage wash room floors.  Use with orange foamer tip or power washer.

Animal rooms clean from any contaminants such as MPV, Pinworm, Orf, Q-Fever etc.

Alternative breeding strategy in which three to four adult females are co-housed with one adult male resulting in multiple pregnancies. All but one female must be removed from the cage. Breeding records documenting problem breeding can be submitted as scientific justification to house two adult females, one adult male, and two litters in the cage as described by the definition of trio breeding. Singly housed pregnant females or stud males should be labeled with a blue tab as described in the Identifying Single Housed Animals SOP.

Hazardous Materials are those materials that constitute a hazard to humans or the environment. The Policy on the Use of Hazardous Materials in Animal Activities applies to the specific hazardous materials listed below when used in conjunction with vertebrate animals:

• Biological agents requiring handling conditions above Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1).
• Biological agents requiring animals to be housed in conditions above Animal Biosafety Level 1 (ABSL-1).
• Biological specimens (e.g., saliva, blood, and urine) collected from humans or non-human primates.
• Biological toxins (e.g., Botulinum toxin including cosmetic BOTOX).
• Activities involving non-exempt recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules technology (rDNA techniques).
• HHS and USDA Select Agents and Toxins, as defined in Federal Regulations 7 CFR 331, 9 CFR 121, and 42 CFR 73. The current list is available at https://www.selectagents.gov/SelectAgentsandToxinsList.html.
• Activities involving any radiation producing equipment or materials including ionizing, non-ionizing, x-rays, and lasers.
• Chemicals designated by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as hazardous drugs, carcinogens, reproductive hazards, nanoparticles, or toxic chemicals, as well as materials that may have serious impact on the environment during release or disposal that are used in conjunction with animals.

Stickers used on bins holding chemical waste, including sharps, that have been exposed to Animal Biosafety Level 2 chemicals.

A set of test results obtained from routine quarterly sentinel testing.

A young animal that is bright, alert, responsive, hydrated, and otherwise does not appear sick.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters remove 99.97% of all particles 0.3 μm in size.

The process of uniquely marking an animal so it can be differentiated from other animals within a group.

Intramuscular.

Agents that non-specifically increase immune responses to specific antigens that are weakly immunogenic.

Those involving animals that are no longer being treated and/or monitored. Cases become inactive when:

• A clinical condition is resolved by the veterinary staff.
• The animal is euthanized or un-enrolled from study.
• The animal is transferred to another laboratory or institution.

Describes primates housed without tactile contact to another primate. Still has visual and olfactory contact with other primates.

Form that describes the infectious or chemical hazard for each investigator, located in a binder within the containment housing or procedure room.

Inquiry is an official period used to collect information associated with an allegation or report. The purpose of the inquiry is to decide if an allegation or report warrants an IACUC investigation. If a determination is made to proceed to an investigation, the ACC must notify all involved parties, including, when possible, the individual(s) who reported the allegation.

Institutional Official (IO). The IO bears ultimate responsibility for the University of Michigan's Animal Care & Use Program. The IO works closely with the Assistant Vice President for Research – Animal Compliance Oversight and Director of the Animal Care & Use Office; the Assistant Vice President for Research – Animal Resources and U-M Attending Veterinarian; and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee Chair to oversee all aspects of animal research at the University of Michigan.