The privilege of using laboratory animals as models in biomedical research is regulated by federal legislation and is monitored by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Written approval must be obtained from the IACUC prior to the initiation of any research or teaching project that employs the use of animals. All submissions to granting agencies must be accompanied by a protocol approval from the committee. The Handbook for the Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Teaching at the University of Pittsburgh describes policies and procedures. For further information, visit the IACUC website.