Purdue University has suspended several research projects following serious allegations of misconduct, including improper laboratory practices and falsification of documents. These claims came to light as a result of internal complaints filed with the university in late 2025. The issues raised involve various animal research projects, citing concerns such as failure to maintain an aseptic environment, lack of personal protective equipment, and the use of unapproved drugs on laboratory animals.
The allegations were bolstered by documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the animal rights organization Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN). According to SAEN’s executive director, Michael Budkie, the incidents reflect a significant breach of protocol. “They were not following protocol… and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee requires that the protocol is followed to the letter,” he stated. “None of this research can be published… Whatever chance these projects may have had to provide some kind of useful scientific information is gone.”
In October 2025, an experiment titled “Examination of behavioral and neural outcomes associated with drugs of abuse and neurodegenerative diseases” was temporarily suspended due to these violations. A letter from Purdue’s Office of Research to the National Institute of Health (NIH) cited issues such as improper use of personal protective equipment and failure to maintain proper suturing techniques.
Despite these concerns, Trevor Peters, a spokesperson for Purdue, confirmed the suspension but emphasized that all procedures were conducted within approved guidelines. “The matter was resolved promptly, and the protocol was reinstated without further concerns,” he said in an email.
However, the situation escalated in December 2025, when another experiment, “High-throughput deep tissue in vivo imaging,” was permanently suspended following a unanimous vote by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Documentation revealed that one lab member was permanently suspended due to severe violations, including improperly housing laboratory mice and failing to euthanize a mouse with a chronic wound despite veterinary instructions. The individual reportedly attempted to treat the mouse’s injury themselves, applying surgical glue, which likely caused significant pain, without consulting a veterinarian.
The letter to NIH also highlighted the potential falsification of logs documenting the health of animals involved in the research. Discrepancies in recorded dates and access times raised questions about the accuracy of the treatment logs. Budkie pointed out that SAEN receives approximately 1,000 lab complaints annually, with 50 to 100 deemed serious enough to warrant suspension. He noted that fewer than 10 cases typically involve falsified documents.
If the university had not addressed the falsification, it could have jeopardized its Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) accreditation status. The university is now under investigation for research misconduct in accordance with Purdue’s Ethics Policy III.A.2. Individuals implicated in the document falsification could face severe repercussions from the Federal Office of Research Integrity at NIH, including potential bans from federally funded research.
“Many higher education institutions rely on federal funding for over half of their research on average,” Budkie noted, emphasizing the broader implications of such misconduct. Even if an individual loses their position due to these allegations, finding future employment in university research may prove challenging.
The remaining staff members involved in the research will be required to undergo retraining on IACUC policies to continue their work. The IACUC chair referenced in the documents did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incidents.
Budkie remarked on the unusual nature of the suspensions, especially for a relatively smaller institution like Purdue. Peters reiterated the university’s commitment to responsible research, stating, “Purdue remains fully committed to maintaining complete compliance with all animal care and use regulations and to sustaining transparent, proactive communication with institutional oversight committees.”
As the investigations continue, the fallout from these incidents could have lasting effects on the individuals involved, the institution’s reputation, and its future research endeavors.
