Qatar- QU hosts first training on use of laboratory animals

DOHA: Qatar University Laboratory Animal Research Center (QU-LARC) organised the first training programme on humane care and the use of laboratory animals. It drew 23 trainees from the centre Biomedical Research Center and the colleges of medicine arts and sciences and pharmacy.

It aimed to engage trainees in a general understanding of regulations and responsibilities with regard to the use of laboratory animals for research.

Attendees participated in in-classroom theory and hands-on learning led by LARC Director Dr Hamda Al Naemi and Operational Services Manager Dr Vijay Kanth.

The theory course was obligatory for students and researchers who intend to use the centre’s facilities regardless of previous training. It covered issues related to animal research such as national and international laws and policies ethics occupational health and safety zoonotic diseases and rodent housing and husbandry.

Participants also learned about personal safety inside LARC facilities the importance of personal protective equipment requirements and how researchers can access LARC facilities. Also highlighted were details on Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

The hands-on course was for personnel who would be handling live animals at the centre. It covered working with BS60 bio safety cabinets proper handling of rodents in terms of blood collection euthanasia and necropsy techniques and bio-waste disposal.

“It is our obligation to help researchers and students to be trained and certified to use laboratory animals at the centre in a humane and responsible manner” Dr Hamda said.

She said the use of animals in research and teaching is a privilege carrying with it professional and moral obligations for all personnel and students involved to follow standardised and safe laboratory practices to ensure all animals in research are treated humanely and in accordance with national and institutional policies.

Dr Hamda said with the participants rating it as excellent the workshop was a very good first-start as it demonstrated the centre’s readiness to offer high quality in-house training at reasonable cost.

Participants were awarded course completion certificates by QU Acting Vice-President for Research Dr Darwish Al Emadi who said the training was necessary because the quality of research and the welfare of laboratory animals have everything to do with the capacity and competence of the people who play active roles in the care and the use of animals and related research. QU Acting VP for Research Dr Darwish Al Emadi presented certificates to the attendees who participated in the course held from January 5 to 18 in Doha.

The Peninsula