Laboratory Animal Research, Care, Compliance and Facilities
Animal models are a crucial component of scientific research and education. Most advances in modern biomedical science can be traced back to original studies in animals. UB continues to support this critical research while fully appreciating its additional responsibilities and complexities.
All animal research must be approved by the university's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which works close with the Laboratory Animal Facilities (LAF) to help researchers develop effective and compliant protocols.
UB's LAF is a centralized service organization, which supports animal care, research and education across campus and at the university's affiliated institutions.
Our Mission
Our primary mission is to ensure the highest standards of welfare are met for the animals under our care. We work closely with investigators to provide support for research utilizing animal models and provide many of the IACUC-required training classes that are essential for participation in animal research.
An integral part of an animal care program is attending to the needs of researchers from an administrative perspective. The LAF has a knowledgeable staff who can assist with a wide variety of needs.
This section provides an overview of LAF’s approved vendors, payment methods and delivery schedules for animal subjects.
Animal researchers need to close all aspects of their research when retiring from the university or departing for other institutions.
A directory of our veterinarians’ contact information in the case of an emergency.
There are modern and fully equipped animal facilities on all three campuses, with the LAF headquartered in the Biomedical Education Building on South Campus.
To maintain staffing, supplies and equipment the LAF has a per diem fee structure for the care of animals.
LAF has numerous forms to cover common circumstances in a lab animal environment, including everything from animal care and movement to administrative services.
The LAF husbandry staff has a combined average of 25 years' experience, serving as an invaluable resource for anyone doing animal research. Find information about identifications, mouse breeding, special cards and transfer animals.
The IACUC must review and approve all animal research to maintain the university's high research standards. It does so by following federal and state regulations, which reflect the general concerns of society, along with professional standards of ethical conduct that govern the use of animal subjects in scientific and educational activities.
Anyone who is in contact with research animals and/or their unfixed tissues comes under the rules of the Occupational Health Monitoring Program (OHMP). This includes investigators, research staff, maintenance staff, janitorial staff and visitors.
The Import/Export Manager will request health monitoring reports from the shipping institution and also coordinates the shipment of rodents from UB LAF facilities to other institutions.
Every person working with animals should be aware of the potential danger from animal bites and other mishaps. Report all incidences, no matter how minor.
We have incorporated best practices into our standard operating procedures so we can help streamline and uphold quality of your research. SOPs are available in the Click IACUC Library.
The university's LAF provides veterinarians who offer many services to researchers, including protocol review, consultation and surgery.