In the lecture Laboratory Animal Science in FS 5, experts will present various aspects of laboratory animal science and the handling of various laboratory animal species such as mice and fish but also pigs, dogs and monkeys. The lecture is addressed to students of veterinary medicine as well as to employees of the University of Leipzig and external research institutions.

The use of animals in biomedical progress is still indispensable today, despite the many new model systems. We investigate questions concerning animal welfare in animal experiments, discuss ethical aspects, show alternative methods to animal experiments, present disease models for humans and animals and show how to keep and breed animals correctly according to their ethological needs.

The lecture series is open to interested persons from the field of biomedical, animal experimental research, from animal keepers to scientists, and is recognised by the competent authority as a further education certificate in the field of laboratory animal science.

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In the lecture "Laboratory Animal Science" we deal with the proper handling of laboratory animals. Photo: Colourbox

Content and learning objectives of the lecture Laboratory Animal Science (14 hrs)

The lecture Laboratory Animal Science is aimed at veterinary medicine students in their fifth semester. It is also open to the scientific and technical staff as well as the animal keepers of our university. In addition, employees of external research institutions can participate. The lecture is recognized by the Animal Welfare Authority as an advanced training course for animal experimenters. In return, you will receive a certificate of further education after each visit to a lecture.

Students can write a voluntary exam at the end of the lecture series. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate stating that the theoretical foundations for animal experimentation are in place. This certificate is recognised by the relevant animal welfare authorities.

The topics covered may change from year to year, here is a selection of the topics

  • The mouse as a laboratory animal
  • Mouse models in Alzheimer research
  • Ethical aspects of animal experiments
  • Primates in animal experiments
  • Alternative methods to animal testing - a new platform for information on animal testing - ProTest
  • Zebrafish and Xenopus as experimental animals
  • Animal models for CNS movement disorders
  • Animal experiments in pharmacological toxicology
  • The pig in animal experiments (including xenotransplantations)
  • The dog as a laboratory animal
  • The sheep as a laboratory animal
  • Naked mole rat in animal experiments

The learning objectives depend on the topics covered in the lecture series. Since the topics can change annually, all learning objectives are listed.

animal experiments

  • Being able to explain the tasks of an animal welfare officer
  • be able to designate the rights and obligations of an animal welfare officer
  • Occupational group(s) from which animal welfare officers can be recruited
  • be able to explain the legal basis for the performance of animal experiments
  • be able to explain which tests are subject to notification and which are subject to authorisation
  • Being able to explain what the TSchG defines as an animal experiment

mouse

  • Define and describe inbreeding in mice
  • be able to name inbred lines (mouse)
  • Being able to explain areas of application for inbred lines
  • Being able to describe breeding in mice Being able to explain application areas for breeding lines
  • Being able to name physiological and breeding physiological data of the laboratory mouse
  • be able to explain husbandry systems and methods (especially with regard to hygiene standards)
  • Being able to explain proper husbandry conditions and the correct handling of mice

Animal models Alzheimer's disease

  • be able to describe animal models for Alzheimer's disease (AD)
  • Being able to explain in detail behavioural tests for the use of laboratory mice in AD

bioethics

  • be able to identify and explain different "types" of bioethics
  • be able to explain the concept of "moral community

primates

  • To be able to identify scientific/medical knowledge obtained by experiments on primates
  • Being able to explain appropriate husbandry conditions and the correct handling of primates
  • Being able to describe permitted experiments on primatesReplacement methods
  • Being able to explain the principle of the 3Rs can explain and name examples of alternative methods and their animal testing counterparts.
  • Being able to explain the basics and key points for the preparation of an animal experiment application

fish

  • be able to describe the conditions in which fish (especially Danio rerio) are kept
  • Being able to explain husbandry systems
  • Identify areas of application for larvae and adult fish

frogs

  • be able to describe keeping conditions of frogs (especially Xenopus laevis)
  • Being able to explain husbandry systems
  • be able to identify areas of application for eggs, larvae and adult frogs
  • be able to explain the correct handling of clawed frogs

Animal models Parkinson's disease

  • animal models for Parkinson's disease can describe
  • Behavioural tests for the use of laboratory mice in Parkinson's disease
  • Being able to explain research in detail
  • Being able to explain the basics of establishing a disease in the animal model
  • Basic knowledge about the establishment of an animal model for a disease pattern

drug development

  • be able to name animal species/genera which are necessary and prescribed in studies for the development of a medicinal product
  • Explain tests that are necessary for toxicology, for example, and can classify them in terms of time (duration).
  • Being able to explain the species composition for the best prediction of side effects in humans
  • describe side effects that cannot be detected by animal testing

pig

  • be able to identify the species for which the pig is used as a laboratory animal
  • Being able to explain for which human organ systems pigs are particularly suitable as models
  • pig breeds used in biomedical research may include
  • Being able to explain the risks and opportunities of xenotransplantation of porcine organs for humans - being able to explain the correct handling of pigs (e.g. during sample collection)

dog

  • To be able to name examples of tests on dogs
  • Being able to explain examples of the dog as a model of human disease
  • Being able to explain appropriate husbandry conditions and the correct handling of dogs

sheep

  •  be able to give examples of tests on sheep
  •  be able to explain examples of the sheep as a model of human disease
  •  be able to explain proper husbandry conditions and the correct handling of sheep

naked mole-rat

  • be able to give examples of experiments on naked mole-rat
  • be able to explain proper housing conditions and the correct handling of naked mole-rats

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