Rodent Housing Policy
Boston University Animal Science Center (ASC) maintains centralized vivaria and resources for their optimal maintenance and use, to support animal research at BU. ASC not only provides daily care and veterinary oversight to our animals but also develops policies consistent with our animal welfare regulatory requirements at federal, state and local levels. As our vivaria […]
Housing Policy on Male Mice
Group-housed rodents typically develop dominance hierarchies. Male mice of certain strains (e.g. BALB/c, CD-1, and C57) are reported to have an increased incidence of fighting that can inflict severe wounds on their opponents. In severe cases, mortality may be directly or indirectly caused by fighting. It is highly recommended that newly received animals be housed […]
Memo: Animal Science Center Update on COVID-19, 3/23
Dear Researcher, As stated in the March 23 message from the Office of the Provost, the Animal Science Center is asking all BU Investigators and Research Labs to end all non-critical work involving animals. ASC will be operating only to provide basic animal husbandry and veterinary oversight (feed, water, cage change, enrichment provision, wean/separation, veterinary […]
BU ASC Vivarium Operational Changes effective Monday 3/23/2020
Dear Researcher, To proactively manage our animal colonies and resources under the current and predicted restrictions posed by COVID-19, ASC is implementing the following changes within our vivaria effective Monday 3/23/2020: Reduced PPE in rodent areas: Working with EHS, ASC has created a plan to reduce the use of face masks, hairnets, and jumpsuits inside our […]
COVID-19 Communication from ASC
Dear Principal Investigators and Research Teams, We are following up on the memo sent out by the Office of Research (COVID-19 Update on Research Activity) related to preparing your laboratory to adapt to the impact of disruptions related to COVID-19. According to the guidance from the Office of Research, research involving critical data collection activities […]
Reminder: New Animal Operations Software Coming in 2021
Dear BU ASC Researcher, I am writing to let you know about changes that will be coming to BU’s Animal Science Center (ASC). We are in the process of implementing a new system that will impact many business processes. Animal Operations (AOps) is a new software system that will increase transparency and efficiency in the […]
New Animal Operations Software Coming in 2021
Animal Operations (AOps) is a new software system that will increase transparency and efficiency in the BU Animal Science Center. Labs doing research in the ASC will use the new system to request animals, imports, exports, and veterinary services; reserve procedure space and equipment; and much more. The integrated, electronic system will allow us to […]
Christian Hallman
ASC: Pathogen screening of mice from non-approved vendors
What’s changing? The BU Animal Science Center (ASC) recently updated our biosecurity program to allow the importation of mice from institutions positive for previously excluded pathogens. As a result, the ASC is introducing testing for mouse norovirus (MNV) and Helicobacter upon receipt of new colonies from non-approved vendors, which includes all academic institutions. This testing […]
BMC Accounts: Submitting Animal Orders and Special Service Requests
If your lab uses a BMC account, you will need to submit animal orders and special service requests using these forms: BMC Animal Order Form Please submit all completed forms to BUASC@bu.edu.