Using the animal facilities

The use of animals for medical research is strictly controlled by the Irish Medicines Board.  The Research Institute at RCSI is registered and operates in accordance with the latest European Communities Council Directive (2010/63/EU). All research projects involving animals must seek ethical approval before the work is started, and in addition both the researcher and project must receive separate official authorisations from the Irish Medicines Board.

Prior to the commencement of any research project, researchers undergo extensive training and certification in animal handling and procedures. Experiments involving animals are done under the supervision of veterinary surgeons and other qualified and experienced staff in purpose-built facilities that are subject to regular inspection.  The RCSI Research Institute operates to the highest international standards and strict animal welfare guidelines are adhered to at all times.

Before starting work in the animal facilities the following steps must be taken:

1. If the protocol has not previously undergone peer review an application will need to be sent to the Animal Research Ethics Committee (AREC) at the RCSI for approval. Once approved a letter of approval will be sent giving a unique number which will identify the project. –Research Ethics Committee
2. Set up a meeting with the BRF/MRTF Manager and Training Officer to discuss your project and training needs. –Link (Registration form)
3. Book onto a LAST Ireland course as you will need to send the certificate when you have completed the course to the IMB with your authorisation application. – TCD Website – LAST course
4. Undergo a medical to test for any animal allergies you may have and to update any relevant vaccinations (e.g. hepatitis B, Tetanus).  Send the certificate of fitness to the BRF Manager.
5. After undergoing a successful medical. Arrange a date and time to be trained and assessed by the BRF staff in handling animals. Once signed off the training form needs to be sent to the centre where you sat your LAST course examination and a certificate will be awarded. ( a certificate will only be awarded once the handling assessment has been successfully achieved).
6. Arrange for an induction tour of the animal facilities with the BRF./MRTF Manager.
7. Apply for a Project/Personal authorisation – (link) together with the LAST certificate and letter of ethical approval, CV and training records.
8. Once the BRF/MRTF Manager is assured that you are fit to work in the facility and comply with the legal obligations they will authorise your swipe card to be programmed in for access into the area.
9. Anyone using any substances within the animal facilities must provide a risk assessment and MSD before it can be brought in.
10. Anyone using or planning to use any drugs in the facility must comply with the animal remedies regulations 2007.  All controlled drugs and POM should be purchased through the named veterinarian for RCSI.These will be kept in a CD locked cupboard in the BRF and MRTF and will be issued by one of the keyholders.  All CD’s must be signed for in the record sheets provided. – Link Drugs notification, usage of medicines
11. All equipment and items used in the BRF need to be sterilised before being brought into the facility. This is usually achieved by the use of vapourised hydrogen peroxide (VHP) in a sealed chamber through a generator. The process takes approx 3.5 hours and is suitable for most items including electrical, computers and microscopes.  However we advise users to check with the manufacturers first beforehand.  The BRF staff must be informed when equipment needs to be brought in and a form completed giving details of the items, date, risk assessment attached if applicable, name and department.  The equipment should be marked with the name of the department. – link (Equipment request form)
12. Users are responsible for ordering their own animals.  At least one weeks notice must be given to the BRF staff before the animals are due to be delivered. All animals must be purchased from a designated supplier and be accompanied by a clean certificate of health and be free from all the pathogens specified in the FELASA health screen guidelines.  If animals can only be purchased from a non approved supplier they must still be free from all the pathogens specified above however they will be kept in quarantine within the BRF for 8 weeks and re screened at the user expense.  Any animals which carry any pathogens may not be allowed into the RCSI until they have undergone rederivation.
13. An animal order form must be completed before the animals can be purchased and copies sent to the BRF Manager and BRF staff – link (animal order form)
14. Animal details – Any animals brought in which are known to show peculiarities, poor breeding performance etc. needs to have a mouse passport form sent from the supplier giving details of those adverse reactions.  The form should be sent to the supplier with the order form at the time of purchase and a request for this to be completed and returned with the animals n delivery. – Link – (Animal passport form)
15. Training – It is a legal requirement under Directive 2010/63/EU (SI No.543 of 2012) that all persons carrying out procedures on living animals need to be trained and signed off as competent by the trainer and training officer before they can work unsupervised.  – Link (training record form)

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