Navigator Newsletter-April 2022

IACUC Policy Updates

The UW IACUC has a number of Policies and Guidelines for researchers.

These policies are regularly reviewed and re-approved by the IACUC (at least every 3 years or as needed), and the most recent updates have been made to:

Number of Mice Maintained in a Breeding Cage

FAQ: Number of Mice Maintained in a Breeding Cage

Neuroscience Studies in Non-Human Primates

Pet and Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Rodents

Contact with pet rodents or other non-SPF rodents is discouraged prior to entering animal facilities or attending rodent handling class.

Non-SPF rodents may carry transmissible diseases which could compromise your research.

Masks Still Required in DCM and WaNPRC Animal Rooms

The University of Washington has dropped the mask mandate as of Monday, March 28th. You are no longer required to wear a mask in animal facility common spaces, meeting rooms, and hallways.

However, masks will continue to be required when working with animals in animal housing and procedure spaces to minimize the potential transmission of COVID to research animals.

In rodent rooms, put on a mask when you put on gloves/ sleeves, just prior to working with rodents in the hood. A mask is not required if you are entering a rodent room and not actively working with rodents. In large animal rooms, put on a mask when you enter the animal room.