To attend ‘Species specific Laboratory Animal Science course on poultry and other birds’ offered by Utrecht University
Animal experiments may only be performed if there are no suitable alternatives. If animals are used, all possible effort should be taken to reduce the number of animals and refine experimental procedures to minimize the discomfort experienced by the animals (following ‘3Rs’ principle). While 3R requirements regarding mammalian species are meanwhile accepted, the welfare of avian species, the study system for my research on prenatal physiological programming, still needs to be promoted. For this, specific knowledge on their behaviour, physiology, husbandry and appropriate experimental procedures is necessary. I will acquire state-of-the-art knowledge by doing a ‘species specific laboratory animal science course on poultry and other birds’ offered by Utrecht University, enabling me to adhere to the highest standards regarding the welfare of birds used in experiments. Being an expat researcher in the Netherlands, this education will enable me to advocate the welfare of avian species in an international context too.
ACURET CAGE CONSORTIUM PROJECT
The housing environment of laboratory animals has been demonstrated to have a significant influence on the behaviour, physiology, pathology and brain development of the animals housed within thereby potentially impacting upon the comparability and reproducibility of the data generated. Regrettably, there is poor investment in lab animal research infrastructure in many developing countries. The result is unwholesome housing environment which lab animals are subjected to, and the poor quality of science generated from animal-based experimentations from many Africa countries.
ACURET advanced the Cage Consortium project, to seek the support and assistance of Institutions and lab animal Industry abroad to donate used but functional ‘fit for purpose’ cages and other equipment to address the issue of the poor state of lab animal husbandry and improve the lives of laboratory animals held within animal facilities in many African Institutions, to promote humane animal care and use for scientific purposes in developing countries.
TRANSLATION TO SPANISH OF FOUR ARTICLES FROM ’Most read / most cited’ PUBLISHED IN LAL
A proper education and training is the best way to improve our work and animal welfare. LAS in Spain is a very dynamic field and there are many education and training activities, however, our country has a traditional lack of English language skills. These articles in Spanish will help people without a proper level of English to improve their knowledge. LAS professionals living in several Latin-American countries will benefit also with this action.
Support for conducting the 16th FRAME Training School in Experimental Design & Statistical Analysis of Bioscience & Biomedical Experiments.
The 16th FRAME Training School in Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis of Bioscience & Biomedical Experiments to be held in partnership with the University of Nottingham, Norecopa and University of Bergen, in Norway 27-29 March 2023. It provides researchers with an understanding of basic experimental design concepts that they do not seem to be gaining from other sources. To give them the ability to use more efficient designs for their experiments, and to stimulate engagement with the Three Rs and useful discussion between animal users in industry and academia on both refinement and reduction. The format includes lectures, group discussions, and individual exercises. The programme leads participants from simple experimental design and statistical ideas, through more complex methods and analysis to effective presentation of findings. Participants are also able to discuss their own research problems/experiences with expert tutors. The School also fosters networking and dissemination between participants.
Application for bursary to study for Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology Level 5
I am the Experimental Unit Manager, at the Research Animal Facility.
• Provide Refinement of Care Standards for Experimental Unit animals, to ensure compliance with ethical, welfare, legal, health and safety and operational requirements for conducting world-class research in South Africa’s largest academic research animal facility.• To provide the UCT Research Animal Facility with dedicated clinical and para-clinical Para-Veterinary support.
• To perform Facility Management of the Experimental Unit laboratories BSL1, BSL 2 and BSL3.
Laboratory Animal Technology formal training was discontinued in South Africa in 1996. And students like me have made use of the (IAT) training through Venture Forward and CLAST to improve ourselves in this field of Laboratory Animal Sciences. CLAST is the only institute that offers the Level 4,5 and 6 Diplomas
To learn new technology and Skill in the Laboratory Animal Science field so I will be able to train the upcoming students in the field. I am a chairperson of the Laboratory Animal Technologist Working Group, and we organize training for the student who are currently registered with Venture Forward doing Level 2 and Leve3 Diplomas. I need to acquire formal qualification a BSC honors degree in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology at the completion of Level 5 and Level 6.
And eventually enroll for a master’s in laboratory animal science degree.
Laboratory Animal Technology was previously offered through Technikon South Africa (TSA) but was discontinued in 1996. Currently there is only 14 LATs registered with SAVC and there are over 42 research institutions needing the services of this profession making it a profession in high demand, and of these 14 registered LAT’s most of them are reaching retirement age within the next +-3 -10 years. Which will result in this scarce skill being lost.