Does the University of Waterloo require special training to conduct animal research?
How do I enroll in an animal research training course?
What resources and facilities does the University of Waterloo have for animal research?
What are the ethical responsibilities of the Principal Investigator?
Does the University of Waterloo have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for animal research?
How do I order animals for research and arrange housing?
How do I import donated animals coming from another institution?
What are the considerations when dealing with genetically modified rodents?
Can I use animals for teaching in a classroom?
What do I need to do to conduct wildlife research?
Who do I contact if I need special equipment or procedures for my animal research?
How do I apply for a drug licence for controlled substances?
What is the process to follow if I want to use animal tissue in my research?
Does the University of Waterloo require special training to conduct animal research?
Waterloo has several training courses which are offered free of charge to researchers. Some are available in classroom settings, and some are available online. Several courses are pre-requisites for others, for example, a theory course is usually a pre-requisite to the hands-on clinical skills course.
How do I enroll in an animal research training course?
The Office of Research Ethics uses a training and development registration system called GoSignMeUp (GSMU). Once you have created an account, you will be able to register to take animal training courses. When in the system, click on Office of Research to view the available animal research training sessions.
In the system, you will then be able to select from four course types: Animal Research Training, Orientations and Tours, Protocol Specific Training, and Theory Courses. The system will send you an enrolment confirmation after being enrolled. The Office of Research Ethics will also receive a notification indicating you have registered. If you registered for a theory course, within 48 hours you will be given access to complete the course in Desire to Learn. Once you have completed the theory course, the system will be updated to show completion.
In the training and development registration system, you will be able to print a training summary that shows all the courses you have completed to date. Please allow 48 hours for the system to be updated after you have contacted the Office of Research Ethics indicating you have completed a course. This training summary is to be provided to your Principal Investigator, or Faculty Supervisor, as proof you have completed the required training. The training summary must be included with the research ethics application before an application is submitted for Animal Care Committee review.
What resources and facilities does the University of Waterloo have for animal research?
Waterloo has a Central Animal Facility and Aquatics facility which provides housing, procedure and surgery rooms, and research space, including Biosafety Level 2 certification. The facilities are staffed by registered laboratory animal technicians (RLAT). Our veterinarians’ specialties are laboratory animal medicine, consultation on project design, surgery training techniques, as well as animal health issues.
A brochure that outlines the facilities, equipment, and per diem pricing is available. If you would like a copy of this brochure, contact the Office of Research Ethics and provide your name, title/student number, principal investigator/faculty member’s name, Waterloo e-mail address, and reasons.
Does the University of Waterloo have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for animal research?
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in an MS Teams site. Contact the Office of Research Ethics for access and provide your name, title/student number, e-mail address, and reasons.
How do I order animals for research and arrange housing?
Once your Animal Utilization Project Proposal (AUPP) has been reviewed and approved by the Animal Care Committee, you may contact the Central Animal Facility staff to arrange housing. The staff will work with you to discuss your needs and the expected timing for the animal’s arrival at which point an order can be placed with Procurement and Contract Services. Animals must be ordered 2 weeks ahead of their arrival date and must be housed for a minimum of seven days for acclimation post-arrival.
How do I import donated animals coming from another institution?
Researchers must read SOP IMPEXP 004 Importing Research Animals from non-commercial Suppliers and complete the IMPEX 008: Importing Animals Request Form which includes a requirement to provide an up-to-date health status report from the supplier of the donated animals. The SOP and request form is available on the animal users MS Teams site. Contact the Office of Research Ethics for permission to this site and provide your name, title/student number, e-mail address, and reasons.
The request form will be reviewed by the Central Animal Facility management team including the Veterinarian. If approved, arrangements can then be made to ship the animals for the Facility.
What are the considerations when dealng with genetically modified rodents?
It is important that the full strain name of the animal and all phenotype characteristics are provided on the Tracking Form for Importing from non-Commercial Suppliers. Please visit the animal users MS Teams site for the appropriate form. Any new strains that will be used for research and/or placed into a breeding colony should be added to your Animal Utilization Project Proposal (AUPP) before the animals can be imported. Contact the Office of Research Ethics for more information.
What do I need to do in order to conduct wildlife research?
Researchers need to have an approved Animal Utilization Project Protocol before starting a research project involving wildlife and take the Basic field and tissue theory course-AR0009. Some projects may require specialized equipment training as well as handling techniques (e.g., backpack electrofishing).
Researchers are asked to refer to the SOPs posted on the animal users MS Teams site for commonly used procedures and equipment. Special permits may need to be obtained from sources such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada or Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Contact the Office of Research Ethics for more information.
Can I use animals for teaching in the classroom?
Yes. A strong justification must be provided for the use of animals in the classroom which clearly indicates why other alternatives, such as computer simulations, are not sufficient. All teaching applications need to undergo a pedagogical merit review before an ethics review is conducted by the Animal Care Committee. Training is available for research assistants and lab demonstrators on animal handling techniques.
Who do I contact if I need special equipment or procedures for my animal research?
Contact Jean Flanagan, Coordinator, Technical Services and Education.
How do I apply for a drug license for controlled substances?
An approved Animal Utilization Project Protocol (AUPP) is required before you can obtain a license for a controlled drug. Health Canada’s regulations for controlled substances require the Principal Investigator to apply for and obtain a license that is specific to a particular study protocol (i.e., AUPP). Once the license is received the drug named can only be used for the protocol mentioned in the license and by those personnel who have been specifically named. Keep in mind, the process to obtain a license can take up to 6 months.
What is the process to follow if I want to use animal tissue in my research?
Appropriate training and documentation must be completed to conduct research using animal tissue. Refer to the list of required training courses. Researchers need to register through GoSignMeUp (GSMU) to complete AR0009-Basic Field and Tissue Theory which is on Desire to Learn (D2L). The tissue application to be completed and submitted for review using the research ethics system.