Medical Research

All full-time foundational science faculty at IU School of Medicine–Northwest-Gary have active research laboratories exploring fundamental questions of cell function. Two areas of focus at this campus are eye research, especially related to corneal and retinal diseases, and pathogenesis of bacteria and innate immunity. Summer research opportunities are available for first-year medical students who would like to work with faculty and gain research experience.

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a committee responsible for overseeing the use of animals in research and ensuring that laboratory animals used in research and education are treated humanely and receive proper care and use.

As per federal law, institutions that use laboratory animals for research or educational purposes must establish an IACUC to oversee and evaluate all aspects of the animal care and use program. The IACUC is a self-regulating entity, deriving its authority from two sources: (1) the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and its amendments, which are administered through the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and (2) the Public Health Service, which is administered through the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).

The law mandates that the IACUC must have a minimum of five members, including a veterinarian with program responsibilities, a scientist experienced in animal research, a non-scientist member, and an individual who has no other affiliation with the institution besides their membership in the IACUC. The committee submits reports to the Institutional Official.

The IACUC is responsible for reviewing all proposed use of animals within the institution, as well as reviewing the research laboratory program and inspecting animal research facilities at least once every six months. IACUC approval is required for any research using animals. The committee has the authority to suspend any activity that involves animal non-compliance.