TSU Animal Research Program (TARP)

Animal Research at TSU

The TSU Animal Research Program (TARP) is dedicated to providing high-quality support and assistance to faculty and students engaged in animal research, particularly in biomedical applications. We are committed to scientific excellence and integrity, ensuring the humane and ethical treatment of animals in impactful research endeavors.

At TSU,  we uphold the highest standards of animal care and welfare, adhering to federal, state, and institutional regulations, including those set forth by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). Through collaboration, education, and continuous refinement of research practices, we aim to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries that benefit both human and animal health.

The mission of TARP is to:

  • Ensure exceptional care and promote the well-being of all animals used in research.
  • Provide training. resources, and assistance to faculty, staff, and students involved in the care and use of animals in research. 
  • Ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines related to animal use in research
 New Animal Protocol Initiation Checklist
Animal Use Proposal Submission Form
CITI Training
Animal Laboratory Facility Access Request

New Animal Research Procedure

All research involving vertebrate animals at Tennessee State University must receive approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) before initiation of the research. A TSU faculty member acting as the principal investigator (PI) must prepare and submit the Animal Use Proposal Submission Form to IACUC for approval. All individuals listed in the submitted proposal must complete all required CITI training before requesting access to the Animal Research Facility. 

Guidelines for Animal Reserach Submission Process.

  1. Submit completed Animal Use Proposal Submission Form to IACUC
  2. Complete ALL required CITI training 
    • All individuals listed on the submitted proposal must complete all required training. The certificate of completion for all completed modules will be required for facility access. 
    • Instructions for CITI can be found here.
  3. All new Animal Care Facility users are required to attend the Animal Laboratory Orientation
    • Dates and times of the orientations will be announced at the begining of every semester.
  4. Request access to the Animal Laboratory Facility