Vanderbilt University has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the ethical and humane treatment of animals in research by securing continued full accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC International). This prestigious recognition, often hailed as the “gold standard” in animal care program accreditation, underscores Vanderbilt’s dedication to exceeding regulatory requirements and pursuing excellence in its Animal Care And Use Program Vanderbilt.
AAALAC International is a globally recognized, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting humane animal treatment in science through voluntary accreditation programs. Achieving AAALAC accreditation is a rigorous process, involving a comprehensive site visit and evaluation to ensure institutions not only meet legal standards but also go above and beyond in their commitment to animal welfare. Vanderbilt University’s animal care and use program vanderbilt first earned this distinction in 1967, and has consistently maintained it, highlighting its long-term dedication.
Veterinarian examining a lab rat in a cage, representing Vanderbilt's animal care and use program
Vanderbilt joins an elite group of over 800 organizations across 34 countries that have achieved AAALAC accreditation, including leading institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Furthermore, Vanderbilt’s animal care and use program vanderbilt undergoes annual inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, demonstrating a multi-layered approach to oversight and accountability.
The commendation from AAALAC International specifically highlighted several strengths of Vanderbilt’s animal care and use program vanderbilt, noting the “clear administrative support,” robust budgets allocated for facility renovations, advanced equipment, and increased staffing levels. This commitment from university leadership is crucial for sustaining a high-quality program.
Dr. Jeanne Wallace, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Director of the Division of Animal Care at Vanderbilt, emphasized the institution’s proactive approach: “Since 2000, Vanderbilt has experienced rapid growth as an academic medical center. Our leadership recognized the increasing demands on our research infrastructure and proactively invested in animal resources to ensure our animal care and use program vanderbilt continues to meet and exceed evolving research needs. This has resulted in significant improvements to facilities, equipment, and personnel over the past five years.”
This substantial investment in Vanderbilt’s animal care and use program vanderbilt includes significant capital improvements initiated since 2008. A key aspect of this expansion has been the addition of three specialized facilities, totaling 15,200 square feet, each designed to enhance specific areas of animal research:
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The Rodent Barrier Facility: This state-of-the-art facility, incorporating the Transgenic Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Shared Resource, is meticulously designed to house rodents under strict biosecurity conditions. It minimizes the risk of pathogen introduction, ensuring the integrity of research data by protecting valuable laboratory colonies from diseases common in wild rodent populations. As Dr. Wallace explains, “Diseases can significantly alter research outcomes. This facility is crucial for minimizing risks to our research.”
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The Mouse and Rat Neurobehavioral Laboratory: Recognized as one of the premier facilities of its kind globally, this laboratory is purpose-built for conducting advanced behavioral research using rodent models. This unique resource strengthens Vanderbilt’s competitive edge in securing research grants, offering capabilities that are not readily available at many other institutions. “This specialized lab positions Vanderbilt to attract significant research funding opportunities,” notes Dr. Wallace.
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The Animal Imaging Facility: Complementing the Vanderbilt Institute for Imaging Sciences Center for Small Animal Imaging, this facility provides dedicated post-imaging housing for animals. It supports the advanced in vivo and ex vivo imaging capabilities available at Vanderbilt, which encompass a wide array of modalities, including MRI, X-ray, CT, PET, SPECT, ultrasound, bioluminescence, and fluorescence.
Beyond facilities, the AAALAC commendation also acknowledged the significant growth and expertise within the personnel of Vanderbilt’s animal care and use program vanderbilt. The program now boasts a staff of nearly 100 professionals, including nine veterinarians. Notably, four of these veterinarians are board-certified in laboratory animal medicine, demonstrating a high level of specialized knowledge. Furthermore, the number of laboratory technicians certified by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) has doubled, reflecting a commitment to staff development and expertise.
“The growth in certified staff directly reflects the quality of our team,” states Dr. Wallace. She emphasizes that both the Division of Animal Care and the Office of Animal Welfare Assurance (OAWA) at Vanderbilt are staffed by leading professionals in their respective fields.
Dr. John Manning Jr., Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer for VUMC, reinforces the university’s commitment: “Vanderbilt maintains a strong commitment to the integrity, safety, and quality of our Division of Animal Care. The University has made substantial investments in infrastructure and in recruiting and retaining top-tier faculty and staff to support this critical mission. Jeanne and her team excel at ensuring the well-being of our research animals while effectively serving the needs of our researchers.”
Adding further depth to its services, Vanderbilt has established a full-service Research Histology and Comparative Pathology Laboratory, led by Dr. Kelli Boyd, a board-certified veterinary pathologist. This laboratory provides crucial support to the Vanderbilt research community through histology, immunohistochemistry, baseline phenotyping of genetically engineered mice, and general pathology services, enhancing the overall animal care and use program vanderbilt. “Expert pathology support is vital for accurate interpretation of research findings, particularly in understanding animal models,” explains Dr. Wallace.
Vanderbilt’s commitment extends to training the next generation of experts in this field. A new residency program, recognized by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, has been established, with recruitment underway for its first resident.
“For a research institution of Vanderbilt’s scale, maintaining a robust animal care and use program vanderbilt is paramount,” concludes Dr. Wallace. “Compliance in a large academic research environment is complex, but we are proud to have developed one of the strongest programs, ensuring the highest standards of animal care and supporting Vanderbilt’s leading role in biomedical research.”
