QU centre to hold first workshop on animal research

The first of its kind in Qatar, the workshop is being organised by the QU Laboratory Animal Research Centre (Larc) and sponsored by QU and Qatar Foundation Research & Development under the Conference and Workshop Sponsorship Programme of Qatar National Research Fund.

The workshop aims to build local human capacity through education and address the basic skills needed in animal research, husbandry and humane care. It is a pioneering effort to bring animal researchers under one umbrella and to disseminate knowledge as well as the procedures and requirements of ethical compliance to conduct animal research.

Participants will learn about animal research ethics, bio-safety in animal facilities, lab bio-risk assessment and management in animal facilities, lab animal bio-security management, and husbandry and housing of lab animals such as mice, rats and rabbits and genetically altered (transgenic) animals.

Standard operating procedures and monitoring in animal facilities will also be discussed as well as accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.

Dr Hassan al-Derham, vice-president, research, will deliver the opening remarks, which will also feature experts from institutions in Qatar, Singapore and the US.

Larc director Dr Hamda al-Naemi and centre manager Dr Anthony James will be joined by Dr Viji Vijayan, director of Research Operations, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore; Dr Bryan Ogden, director, SingHealth Experimental Medicine Centre, and attending veterinarian at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School; and Dr Cathleen M Lutz, director, Mouse Repository, Genetic Resource Centre, The Jackson Lab (US).

Dr al-Derham said: “This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to building our national human capacity in the field of scientific research and support services for research.”