IMTECH conducts workshop on understanding the methodologies & basics of animal research

New Delhi: CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) organized a workshop on Understanding the Methodologies and Basics of Animal Research (UMBAR-2019) from 26th November to 2nd December 2019 being coordinated by IMTECH Centre for Animal Resources & Experimentation (iCARE).

The workshop is under the aegis of Government of India’s Skill Development mandate to upgrade skills and expertise for the young researchers and faculty in the area of Laboratory Animal Sciences. Fifty-two participants from different academic, research institutes as well as from industry attended the first day of the workshop for getting a hands-on training in handling of animals and to comprehend the need to avoid the stress encountered due to improper use of techniques.

Dr T. R. Sharma, Executive Director, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali was the Chief Guest for the occasion and Prof. Kanwaljit Chopra, Chairperson, U.I.P.S., P.U., Chandigarh was the keynote speaker. During her talk, Prof. Chopra harped upon the importance and contributions of animal research in drug discovery and thus contributing to meeting unmet medical needs of the country.

Dr Manoj Raje, Officiating Director, CSIR-IMTECH while welcoming the participants gave a brief background of CSIR-IMTECH and iCARE and said, “The main focus of this workshop is to develop insights on ethical use of animals in research. This workshop also enables to increase employability and entrepreneurial potential of the participants in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.”

During the inaugural function, Dr Manoj Raje and Dr T. R. Sharma signed a Technical Service Agreement under which iCARE will facilitate breeding and supply of specialized mice and rats to NABI for research purposes. Dr. Sharma said, “This agreement will further facilitate and promote high quality research where both the institutes can significantly complement each other.” Workshop manual was also released during the occasion highlighting the course structure and various facets of animal experiments.

The workshop provided comprehensive training and skill in laboratory animal science comprising animal experimentation, ethics, welfare, various procedures and occupational hazard and safety measures, etc. Animal experimental techniques related to handling, sexing, injections/immunization, blood collection, anaesthesia, euthanasia, surgical techniques, pre and post-operative care, genetic and health monitoring of animals were practically demonstrated and performed by participants.

CSIR-IMTECH is a national centre for excellence in microbial sciences and was established in 1984. IMTECH’s vision is to discover and develop translational products and new drugs to address key unmet medical needs.