Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
WCM-Q is committed to promoting the humane care and use of animals in research and teaching, and to ensuring compliance with the applicable policies, regulations, and guidelines. The WCM-Q Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) ensures the humane care and use of animals in research and teaching by overseeing the Animal Care and Use Program. All animal research conducted by or under the direction of WCM-Q faculty and staff requires review by the IACUC. The IACUC reviews research protocols, conducts evaluations of the institution's animal care and use, and periodically performs inspections of animal housing and procedure facilities.
Accreditation
WCM-Q is accredited by The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International. The AAALAC is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.
Assurance
WCM-Q holds the following Registration and Assurance with the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar.
Registration No: IACUC-WCM-2019-001
Assurance No: IACUC-A-WCM-2019-0001
Collaborative Research
WCM-Q encourages and facilitates collaborative research with local and foreign institutions. All animal research conducted by or under the direction of WCM-Q faculty and staff requires review by the IACUC. Investigators collaborating with other institutions also need to follow the compliance requirements of the Collaborating Institution (CI). The WCM-Q PI is responsible for coordinating directly with the CI to confirm current requirements for approval and oversight at institutions other than WCM-Q. Other documentation of site-specific training, risk assessment or exemption may also be needed to demonstrate compliance.
Collaborative institutions are required to file an Animal Welfare Assurance with the Ministry of Public Health (when applicable) prior to conducting collaborative animal research. The application process is facilitated by the office of Research Compliance for foreign institutions.
Additional information is available on the WCM-Q intranet.
For assistance please email researchcompliance@qatar-med.cornell.edu
Vivarium Core Facility
The vivarium is a laboratory animal facility where live animals are housed for the purposes of research.
As an AAALAC International accredited facility, the Vivarium uses state-of-the-art technologies in housing and caring for animals. Care for research animals is provided by the vivarium staff who are highly trained and dedicated individuals.
Additional information is available on the WCM-Q intranet.
Resources