Researchers Gained Knowledge at Laboratory Animal Management and Ethics Workshop

The IMU Research Lab, IRDI recently organised the “Laboratory Animal Management and Ethics Workshop” from 10-11 November 2021 via the hybrid mode at the International Medical University (IMU). The workshop was very successful despite being held during the COVID-19 pandemic and we were able to meet the challenges faced in getting participants to meet for the practicals. A total of 26 participants from private and public universities [University of Nottingham, Xiamen University Malaysia, Monash University Malaysia, Sunway University, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UTAR, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak (UniKL RCMP) and the IMU] and 1 private organisation attended this hybrid workshop. Virtual lectures were delivered on Day 1 while participants worked in small groups for the hands-on practical sessions on Day 2. Lectures provided by two very experienced and passionate lecturers, Prof Goh Yong Meng from Universiti Putra Malaysia and A/Prof Wong Shew Fung from the IMU allowed participants to gain knowledge on the laws and regulations, as well as biosafety guidelines involved with research on animals, including importing animals, and the importance of selecting the most suitable stocks and strains for the research objective. A short video demonstrating the humane and common restraint techniques on mice was presented before the practical session. The highlight of the practical sessions was learning how to handle the mouse and rabbit as swiftly and as efficiently as possible to minimise distress. Participants had a lot of practice on restraining the animal using the most appropriate restraining equipment for the procedure to be carried out as well as the different routes of immunisation/administration of biological and chemical compounds. This workshop enabled the participants to network and hopefully establish new collaborations among themselves as well as with IMU reserachers.