Getting Started at the ARCM

This area provides information and links for faculty and staff on the humane care and use of laboratory animals in approved animal experimentation protocols at the Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health.

The following information is available in the Getting Started area:

• Submit or Amend Animal Protocol — You must have a Harvard Medical School approved Animal Experimentation Protocol (AEP) before you may use animals. You must list new lab members on an approved AEP before they can access facilities or use animals. You must obtain approval in advance to change any aspect of an approved AEP. This link goes to the Office for Research Subject Protection, which administers the AEP submission and approval process.
• Financial Arrangements — How to set up an account with the ARCM Business Office, which is necessary to order and house animals in our facilities. You will need a valid 33-digit Harvard account number or a valid purchase order from the principal investigator's affiliated institution to open an account.
  
• Animal Housing Space — Information about animal housing options. (For contact phone numbers and e-mail addresses, see Contacts in the About ARCM area).
  
• Animal Ordering — Ordering information, forms, contact numbers, and e-mail addresses.
  
• Hazardous or Infectious Agents (COMS) — Links to Environmental Health and Safety and the Committee on Microbiological Safety; forms to apply for biosafety clearance for use of microbiological agents in research.
  
• Facility Access — Procedures for gaining access to animal facilities. Standard operating procedures for each facility. Notice about onsite training.
• Cell Lines — Biological contaminant testing services. Before their use, all cell lines used in research animals must be tested to exclude infectious agents.
  
• Controlled Substances — Links to federal and state DEA. Your department must have federal and state DEA licenses before purchasing controlled substances. The ARCM will not dispense these materials to laboratories.