Helpful pointers for new PI/researchers- Animal work 101
Care and Use of Animals in NUS
The care and use of animals for research and teaching in NUS is bound by the Singapore Animals and Birds Act, Animals and Birds (Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) Rules 2004, and is carried out in accordance with the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) Guidelines.
Use of Vertebrate Animals
Use of all vertebrate animals is regulated and requires IACUC approval. An application must be submitted for IACUC review.
Use of Invertebrate Animals
Use of Invertebrates (except Cephalopods) is not regulated but must comply with IACUC policy on Use of Invertebrate Animals.
Use of Animal Tissues
Use of animal tissues does not require IACUC approval if the tissues are obtained from commercial sources or from the NUS Animal Tissue Sharing Program . IACUC approval is required if animals are specifically euthanized for harvesting the tissues.
Use of Vertebrate Embryos
Use of the following embryos/larvae do not require IACUC approval. However, a Notice of Intent should be submitted to IACUC.
1. Zebrafish embryos/larvae up to 5 dpf;
2. Medaka embryos/larvae up to 3 days post-hatching; and
3. Chick embryos before ED16, to be adjusted for other avian species according to hatching time.
Prerequisites for Use of Animals
The prerequisites for any work involving animal care and use are:
1. Occupational Health (OH) Programme
All personnel with laboratory animal contact are required to participate in the OSHE Occupational Health (OH) Programme to determine the appropriate medical surveillance, vaccinations and personnel protective equipment (PPE).
** For more information such as how to enrol in the OH programme, please contact the Occupational Health Clinic (Tel: 65167333 or email: goh.shawee@visitor.nus.edu.sg)
2. Training
Personnel handling and/or conducting procedures on live vertebrate animals must be appropriately qualified and trained, prior to the start of any animal activity. The training course on "Responsible Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" offered by Comparative Medicine (CM) meets all the requirements for training as set forth in the Guidelines.
** To attend the CM training course, please contact CM Training Coordinator (Tel: 66013005 or email: rcula@nus.edu.sg)
3. Risk Assessment
All Principal Investigators (PI) of research projects are required by the Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE) to complete the risk assessment exercise based on the risk assessment framework set at the University level before any new project is implemented.
4. IACUC Approval
Personnel shall not use any animal for any scientific purposes before full approval is given by the IACUC. New IACUC applications must be submitted via the iRIMS-IACUC (Animal Oversight) module for review while amendment to existing approved iORC applications must be submitted via iORC https://wws.nus.edu.sg/iorc/login.aspx for review.
5. Other Requirements
Some projects may involve the use of substances or locations requiring permits or approvals from the relevant regulatory bodies, Some examples are listed below:
Use of human tissues requires the approval of Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Use of animals in the wild (for field studies) requires AVS or NParks permit.
Use of regulated biological agents requires the approval from MOH or AVS (contact OSHE for permits)
Animal work may commence in the AVS-licensed animal facilities or IACUC approved laboratories/classroom when all the requirements above are fulfilled. In conducting all procedures on animals, the approved IACUC protocols have to be strictly adhered to.
