Laboratory Animals最新文献

The strategy of centralizing equipment sanitation and processing was developed by a top-tier public university to address the growing physical infrastructure and human resource challenges of its expanding in-vivo research enterprise. Subsequently, a center for automated equipment processing physically separate from all animal research facilities was developed and has operated consistently since 2016. The facility incorporates systems such as process automation to sanitize and sterilize equipment as efficiently as possible. Analysis of the differences between the new centralized and old distributed research enterprise configurations shows a total estimated fiscal benefit of almost US$54 m to date projected out to US$124 m through 2028. Utility consumption of operations over nine years in the new configuration was estimated to be decreased by over 125 million gallons of water, 14 million gallons of chilled water, 121 million pounds of steam, and almost 3.6 million kilowatts of electricity, with consumption savings significantly increased projected out to 2028. Additional operational and organizational benefits as well as direct research benefits were identified. The new configuration has functioned for nine years without detectable cross contamination within the research enterprise thus providing evidence that the location of equipment processing can be less of a "microbial" risk factor than previously attributed.

The Institut Pasteur has set the ambition to encourage all staff to get involved in sustainable development across all departments on campus. The animal facility staff joined the efforts of the sustainable development department to analyse current and future processes and identify potential solutions and related brakes and leverages for the reduction of the animal facilities' environmental impact. The first step was to collect the managers' experience on the local initiatives. Then, the managers attended a workshop to share information on networks and initiatives relevant to the topic and community, and to discuss the use of consumables, including personal protective equipment, single use plastics, bedding, feed, water, chemicals, and waste management. On the topics of interest, local initiatives were specifically detailed to assess their eventual implementation in all the institute's animal facilities, and tasks were set to pursue the managers' efforts in the longer term. A scenario was used to teach how to compare the carbon footprints of washing and disinfection equipment and process and to decide on the design of an animal facility. Finally, a summary is drawn of the brakes and leverages for the reduction of the environmental impact of the institute's animal facilities.

Extending an existing animal facility is a challenging process that requires consideration of both engineering and biological aspects. In this sense, integration with ongoing activities must not alter the animals' microbiological condition or welfare, as they usually remain in the facility while these activities occur. The objective of this work was to describe and evaluate the practical biosafety considerations during the enlargement of a specific pathogen-free (SPF) rodent facility. Our facility breeds rats and mice free of a list of zoonotic and common rodent pathogens, comprising 6 ectoparasites, 13 endoparasites, 25 bacteria and 23 viruses. In this project, the new SPF area was connected to an old but still working SPF rodent facility through the original clean corridor. The old clean corridor remained sealed throughout the project, and it was not opened until the new area was finished and fully equipped, all the new rooms were cleaned and disinfected, and the environment was evaluated for the presence of pathogens. Timing during the project was essential, as avoidance of the period of high animal production and demand was sought. The microbiological controls showed no growth of microorganisms in any new room. Thus, the applied procedures were deemed effective. It was concluded that protocols should be carefully planned in order to maintain the SPF condition and animal welfare.

During the last years, the rapidly evolving imaging technologies have become valuable tools in in vivo research. Imaging modalities provide high resolution, real-time images and videos, offering the opportunity of longitudinal, quantitative, non-invasive/non-terminal monitoring of animal models. In parallel, in vivo imaging applications lead to animal reduction, by substituting phenotyping methods that require euthanasia. For in vivo imaging core facilities, effective communication is an essential tool that ensures that all teams involved are on the same page at all times. Successful communication is necessary at all stages and may be achieved via standardized procedures, which provide specifications and step-by-step instructions for all operations and activities. This article aims to provide a communication pipeline for imaging facilities operating with a full-service model, developed for 'Alexander Fleming' Animal Facilities, helping to achieve smooth operation and high-quality research.

When biomedical research investigates the human surgical situation in the need of a chronic course, it is more often possible to do so using large animal models. The use of farm animals always poses special challenges for the institution conducting the research in terms of infection prevention and occupational safety. Especially for the zoonotic disease coxiellosis it is important to be aware of the constant risk of pathogen introduction by small ruminants and to take appropriate precautions. In this way, personal injury should be avoided or at least be kept to a minimum in the event of infection since then sustainable zoonosis control can be immediately initiated. Using the example of a Q fever outbreak at a research facility, we want to share with this extended case report the importance of central emergency structures, provisions and the inclusion of relevant experts and disciplines in a crisis team. Its primary purpose is to support the affected facility and coordinate the implementation of necessary cleaning, disinfection and decontamination measures in close contact with the responsible local authorities. The aim is to inactivate the pathogen in a systematic and controlled manner in few steps of action only and to keep the interruption of the facility's operations as short as possible.

UK Health Security Agency is required to investigate the pathogenesis of emerging or re-emerging infections and to test novel interventions, such as vaccines and therapeutics against these and other diseases, such as tuberculosis and Ebola, that have a significant impact on human health world-wide. Research into the causative agents (mainly BSL 3 and 4) using a wide range of animal species as pre-clinical models brings a number of challenges in terms of effective biocontainment to address human safety whilst optimising delivery of scientific objectives and the welfare of the animals. Here we describe the strategies used for high containment of species that include mice, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits and macaques that have been infected with high consequence pathogens. To ensure relevance of these models we frequently challenge by the aerosol route and monitor the development of disease and protective or therapeutic efficacy by methodologies similar to those used in the clinic. We have devised methods of sampling that can inform on pathogenesis and immune function that include lung lavage and medical imaging such as computed tomography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Imaging assists our assessment of progression to disease whilst providing refinement in application of early humane endpoints. We have developed directional flow containment systems that provide quantifiable operator protection whilst allowing group housing and a wide range of enrichment strategies appropriate for each species. Furthermore, we have demonstrated our improvements in animal welfare through use of a software-based Animal Welfare Assessment Grid that was developed with help of NC3Rs funding and enables us to quantify the lifetime experience of animals.

This article is dedicated to elucidating and showcasing the concept of a unified Core Facility for laboratory animals within a research institute specialized in basic biology and biomedical research. In many research centres, animal facilities operate as autonomous entities. Here, we discuss that the centralization of all animal model units within a consolidated organizational framework offers a multitude of benefits in terms of communication with a variety of institutional stakeholders, including the Direction Board, Operational Logistics (Maintenance, Lab Operations and Safety Units), Procurement and Accounting Offices, Research Funding Affairs, Institutional Communication, and IT Units. This integrated approach facilitates the implementation of consistent policies and service pricing strategies. Moreover, it promotes staff flexibility across species, allows for responsiveness to evolving research dynamics, emergence of new scientific areas and infrastructure challenges. This concept also inspires technical advancement within the animal facilities, supports training in Laboratory Animal Science, stimulates the standardization of animal welfare practices, and instils a culture of care transversal to all animal models, ultimately enhancing overall animal welfare. This strategy facilitated the integration of non-vertebrate animals and plant models into the Core Facility. Despite significant differences from vertebrate models, this expansion presented advantages, such as incorporation of specialized staff into a larger organizational structure, offering them new opportunities for skill development and enhancing the overall flexibility of the Core Facility's operations.

Animal research remains a crucial component in our efforts to enhance both human and animal health. To better ensure research reproducibility and welfare of animals in research, harmonisation must be improved globally. This review explores the current state of harmonisation in animal research and the associated challenges, along with the roles of existing animal welfare principles, legislative guidelines, codes of practice, international and national organizations, and professional bodies in facilitating harmonisation. We discuss the current obstacles to harmonisation and suggest a performance-based solution. Examples of attainable performance-based outcomes are examined, encompassing areas such as ethical review and oversight, animal housing, environment, training, veterinary care, experimental design and reporting, and openness/transparency in research. In conclusion, the establishment of harmonised performance standards and the promotion of performance-based outcomes hold the potential to significantly improve global animal welfare in research and contribute to scientific advancement.