Return to flip book view

Institute of Animal Technology Bulletin G G G Council Meeting Minutes Educational News Animal Research Nexus G G G Killifish Branch News Diary Dates Vol 54 No 11 November 2018

Bulletin Vol 54 No 11 November 2018 EDITOR Carole Wilson bulletineditor iat org uk ASSISTANT EDITOR Karen Dunford bulletinassistant iat org uk ADVERTISEMENT MANAGERS PRC Associates Ltd mail prcassoc co uk Published monthly by the Institute of Animal Technology Registered Office 5 South Parade Summertown Oxford OX2 7JL CONTENTS Dear Readers 5 IAT Council Meeting 7 IAT Diversity Poster 8 News in Brief 14 Educational News 16 Congress 2019 19 Andrew Blake Tribute Award 20 Charles Gentry Obituary 22 AS ET News 24 Animal Research Nexus 27 Killifish 35 Branch News 42 Technician Month 46 Diary Dates 47 ISSN 0263 2861 For enquiries other than Bulletin related contact IAT ADMINISTRATOR admin iat org uk or 0800 085 4380 Final copy date for January Bulletin 1st February The opinions expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or the Institute

Bulletin November 2018 De ar Re aders The evenings are beginning to draw in and soon it will be Christmas where does the time go We have a packed Bulletin for you this month covering a diverse range of topics from the Council meeting synopsis starting on page 7 and IAT business through to Killifish see pages 35 40 and the Nexus project I would like to bring the Animal Research Nexus to your attention read the article on pages 27 32 This is a very interesting project looking at people and the social aspects involved in animal research I have a huge personal interest in how people relate to animals in research and to each other so I am thrilled to be running an article in the Bulletin about it Elsewhere we have a lot of IAT news to report especially Educational news We are delighted that our Educational Business Development Service contract has been awarded to S4T Limited see page 14 and Jock Fraser introduces himself on page 15 NP If you are a new student registering on an IAT Level 2 course then you might be in line for a free copy of the Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science Technology and Welfare book see page 17 If you are an animal technician up to IAT Level 3 and a member of the IAT West Middlesex Branch and fancy a trip to FELASA 2019 then look at page 45 to see how you could do that Until next time Kee p R eadi ng Carole 5

Bulletin November 2018 7 Synopsis of the IAT Council meeting held on Wednesday 26th September 2018 Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science Technology and Welfare ILASTW The Treasurer was pleased to announce that the IAT had received a rebate on monies paid for an educational meeting which did not take place Council agreed that these unexpected funds should be used for educational purposes It was agreed that the first 200 students to register for the IAT Level 2 qualification from 1st October 2018 will receive a free copy of ILASTW Technician Exchange Programme The Animal Welfare Group has developed an Animal Technician Exchange based on the NACWO Exchange system previously introduced This Animal Technician Exchange scheme has been developed from an idea formed at a BING meeting BING is the Branch Innovation and Networking Group who were formerly known as the Youth Reps Following discussion of the term Youth Reps it was agreed to rename the Group with a more inclusive and diverse title Diversity and the IAT Following on from the newly named BING the IAT Diversity Officer has developed a poster to highlight diversity and equality within the IAT The IAT actively promotes diversity and equality but seldom highlight this to members The poster will be produced and distributed to members and member organisations Tech Month The Communications Group has started preparations for Tech Month This will once again take place in March leading up to Congress 2019 The event will be promoted in the Bulletin on the website and by social media Everyone is encouraged to get involved and take part in the quizzes which will run during the four weeks of Tech Month Further details can be found on the IAT website and in the Bulletin Branch Innovation and Networking Group BING The newly named BING met the day before the Council meeting with ten reps from nine Branches represented The Group had decided to elect their own Chair and note taker The group had discussed the Terms of Reference for BING which will be finalised and placed on the website

Bulletin November 2018 9 IAT Congress 2019 On line registrations opened on 10th September and bookings are already being made A draft programme will be available on the website in December Applications for Poster and Workshop presentations and poster submissions are now being invited and full details are on the IAT website and in the Bulletin IAT Level 2 and 3 awards The following awards were made in August 2018 Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Husbandry Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology Level 3 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology 2 16 16 Registration Board The Board were pleased to announce that Kelly Simpson from the University of Oxford had successfully passed her RAnTech interview prior to the Council meeting Council congratulates Kelly on her achievement AST2020 A skeleton programme for AST2020 has been drawn up and keynote speakers identified Publicity has been prepared for upcoming meetings LASA AALAS Congress 2019 etc The website is being updated as information becomes available A link for trade exhibitors to register interest has been added to the site Educational Business Development Executive Council were delighted to hear that the post of IAT Educational Business Development Executive has been offered to Jock Fraser who has accepted the role Jock will be taking up the post as of 1st October Thanks were expressed to Tim Morris IAT Vice President for chairing the interview panel FELASA 2019 IAT and EFAT representatives will attend the FELASA 2019 meeting in Prague EFAT have been invited to assist with the organisation and delivery of the Technician Day at the meeting and to Chair a session IAT Graduation 2019 The IAT 2019 Graduation ceremony for HE students will take place on 3rd July in Central London The Graduation will be preceded by a Stakeholder meeting Students and employers will receive information about the ceremony before the end of the year

10 November 2018 Bulletin MIAT FIAT Applications The list of names of those who have applied to be awarded MIAT or FIAT status need to go before Council and are subject to formal election MIAT status was awarded by Council to Michael Truby Laura Thomas Georgina Orosz Charlotte Clark Eleanor Anderson Thomas Berriman Dimitra Mantzorou Denise Healey Robin Labesse Garbal Christina Rapsey Louise Phelon FIAT status was awarded by council to Samantha Izzard University of Oxford University of Oxford University of Oxford Babraham Institute Babraham Institute King s College London King s College London University of Southampton University College London University of Bristol University of Bristol GlaxoSmithKline Dorothy Woodnott Founder Member of ATA Council were saddened to hear during the meeting that Dorothy Woodnott had passed away Dorothy was the last remaining Founder Member of the ATA the forerunner of the IAT An obituary was published in the October issue of the Bulletin The next meeting of the IAT Council will take place in December 2018

14 November 2018 Bulletin News in Brief News Announcement October 2018 The Institute of Animal Technology is delighted to announce the Education Business Development Services Contract has been appointed to S4T Limited Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Educational Policy the Educational Business Development Services Contract will be responsible for the promotion standardisation administration training and quality assurance of IAT qualifications including the development of future training and development opportunities This is an important appointment for the IAT membership as our educational offering and internationally recognised qualifications are pivotal to our working roles within our industry As the IAT is the Awarding Body to our qualifications we have to meet Ofqual s high legislative educational standards and as our awards have developed it was time for us to move from a voluntary position to having a dedicated provider to meet these growing education requirements and opportunities Jock Fraser of S4T Limited will be working with the IAT to meet the above brief officially taking up the role at the beginning of October 2018 and we will be introducing him to our educational providers as soon as is practicable as well as to our members via IAT events at the earliest opportunities As you can appreciate this is an exciting and important time for the IAT and I hope you will join me in welcoming Jock to the IAT community Jock introduces himself on the next page Glyn Fisher Chair Board of Education Policy

Bulletin November 2018 News in Brief Jock Fraser Biography I have worked in the education sector for many years now from running a recruitment company that specialises in recruitment of education professionals for schools and colleges to working as a business consultant to education establishments helping them balance finances manage projects and set strategic vision This has meant I have spent time on governance of teaching quality looking at innovation in teaching and assessment and looking at the student experience I am looking forward to working with the IAT and educators on developing teaching offers to enhance professional development of Animal Technologists I have 2 school age kids and am married to a professor who has worked in life sciences for a number of institutions both in the UK and abroad meaning I am familiar with the challenges legal and ethical responsibilities of the work that IAT members do Outside of work I am a fan of St Mirren Football Club so most weekends I watch a terrible football team play terrible football in a terrible league I am delighted to be working with the IAT and look forward to helping to support the current education services and developing them further I m also looking forward to getting to know you all in the coming months 15

16 November 2018 Bulletin Educational News Election to Membership MIAT and Fellowship FIAT of the Institute Council is delighted to announce that at the September 2017 meeting the following members have upgraded their IAT membership Those having obtained their IAT Level 3 qualification and Practical Animal Handling Health Module being elected as a full voting member and can now use the designatory letters MIAT Michael Truby Laura Thomas Georgina Orosz Charlotte Clark Eleanor Anderson Thomas Berriman Dimitra Mantzorou Denise Healey Robin Labesse Garbal Christina Rapsey Louise Phelon Those having obtained their IAT Level 6 qualification or equivalent being elected as a Fellow of the Institute and can now use the designatory letters FIAT Samantha Izzard Congratulations to all on their achievement Further details on requirements and how to apply can be found on the IAT website or from the IAT Administrator admin iat org uk

Bulletin November 2018 Educational News IAT Students receive a free copy of Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science Technology and Welfare The IAT has received an unexpected refund on monies paid for an educational workshop which did not take place Council accordingly discussed this refund and agreed that the monies should again be used for educational purposes It was therefore decided that 200 students registering for the IAT Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology should receive a free copy of the book Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science Technology and Welfare This will be implemented from 1st October 2018 when the monies became available Copies will automatically be sent out to those who have registered and paid their registration fees since 1st October 17

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THE IMPACT YOUR POSTER PRESENTATION WILL MAKE Final Date for Poster Presentations is 19th December Venue North West England NEWS IN BRIEF O We are thrilled to announce that in conjunction with the IAT the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is continuing support of the ANDREW BLAKE TRIBUTE AWARD EXTENDED CLOSING DATE TO FRIDAY 7TH DECEMBER See the announcement in this issue Don t forget O Early bird Congress Registration discount ends on SUNDAY 9TH DECEMBER SAVE 100 OFF the FULL Registration Package View download the Invitation to Participate booklet at www iat org uk congress A further discount of 75 will be deducted from the poster submission fee paid a monetary prize is awarded for the BEST POSTER To discuss any aspect of Congress or if you have any questions for the Congress Committee please contact us at congress iat org uk Check for updates www iat org uk

22 November 2018 Bulletin Charles Brian Gentry 1949 2018 O n Sunday 26 August 2018 Charles Gentry lost his short battle with cancer and died at the age of 68 Charles was a modest and gentle man dearly loved husband to Maggie and a much loved dad grandpa brother and uncle Charles had a long and distinguished career working in the field of animal technology and laboratory animal science that included diverse experience of species facilities and global settings He is probably best known for the 12 years that he was the Director of Biomedical Services and Certificate Holder at the University of Cambridge Charles was responsible for the provision and care of the animals used in scientific and clinical research across the university He held an absolutely critical role in supporting and facilitating the work of one of the world s most prestigious research institutions Balancing the legislative requirements animal welfare and the needs of the academics was an immense challenge Charles was a proven good listener patient diplomatic knowledgeable and firm but softly spoken and always in a good humour Even when others around him were losing their cool he clearly articulating what really mattered on an issue while seeking a constructive and collaborative way forward He was also known to be nearly always better dressed than anyone else in the room Charles accomplished an astonishing amount in his time at the university He championed the role of animal technicians and technologists ensuring their responsibilities and efforts were duly recognised and when required defended Charles was very supportive of the IAT and ensured that all staff were offered opportunities and resources to undertake education training and development He played a key part in transforming the culture of the institution to one in which any and every use of an animal had to be carefully and critically justified and in which the welfare of each and every animal used in research had to be a key concern

Bulletin November 2018 Charles contributions extended well beyond Cambridge across the UK and indeed in the rest of Europe and afar in many other capacities as a chairman committee member and advisor as an absolutely reliable and authoritative figure in the promotion of the responsible use and care of laboratory animals Through Charles tireless efforts much of which were voluntary and proceeded well beyond his retirement from the University of Cambridge in 2010 standards of animal welfare in UK research establishments have improved significantly and importantly have become more consistent in their implementation across the UK Crucial to this was Charles leadership role as Chairman of the Establishment Licence Holder s Committee in vastly improving communication between the Establishment Licence Holders and also of paramount importance with members of the Home Office Animals in Science Regulation Unit ASRU Charles voluntary role in chairing various AWERBs as well as leading a forum for annual training and refresher update sessions for those responsible for the animal work in their establishments has been critical to their success and highlights his passion for the subject Testimonials were written earlier this year in support of Charles receiving an honour from the Queen an honour which would have been richly deserved All those letters speak of a man of commitment integrity and conviction who inspired respect and trust and as well profound fondness A quotation from one letter that sums it up is Charles made a massive contribution to animal research which will undoubtedly continue to benefit the health of animals including humans over many decades to come We are all extremely grateful to have been able to work with him Charles chosen charity to which the IAT has made a donation is Maggie s https www maggiescentres org about maggies Maggie s is a charity offering free practical emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends through support centres built in the grounds of NHS hospitals Our thoughts and condolences are with Charles family and friends at this very difficult and sad time Sam Jameson University of Cambridge 23

24 November 2018 Bulletin Patron Professor Lord Naren Patel KT Chair of Trustees Professor Sir Richard Gardner FIAT Hon FRS Secretary to the Trust Ken Applebee OBE FIAT FRSB Trustees Stephen Barnett MSc Hon FRSB Jasmine Barley MSc FIAT Karen J Gardner AS ET News G Registered Charity Number 113319 Registered Office 5 South Parade Summertown Oxford OX2 7JL AS ET Prizes Every year AS ET awards prizes to the higher education students who have gained the highest standard of work throughout their course There are three prizes one for each of the IAT Levels 4 5 and 6 We award these prizes to celebrate the achievement of the winners and to acknowledge the dedication of all of the students who make time to follow a demanding course while holding down responsible jobs and fulfilling family responsibilities The Level 6 prize is called the John Walton prize and is named after our first Patron Lord Walton of Detchant a distinguished neurologist academic administrator and member of the House of Lords This year s winners are IAT Level 4 prize Kelly Simpson IAT Level 5 prize Adam Johnson John Walton Prize Samantha Izzard G LASA Once again we will be attending the LASA Conference at the end of November We are grateful to LASA for allowing us to bring our stand free of charge We are also pleased to be able to sponsor a prize for the presentation judged to be most useful in the 3Rs section of the programme If you are at the conference please drop by our stand to find out about our latest news

AS ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excelle Bulletin May 2014 15 the care Bulletin and welfare of animals used in science November 2018 25 To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website www as et ET isisaacharity up advance education and promote excellence ET charityset set uptoto advance education and promote excellence The companies listed below sponsor AS ET If you would like to join care and welfare of animals used in science e find careout andhow welfare of animals used in science to support us by looking at our website ee how you can for visit website www as et org see how canapply apply for abursary bursary visitour our website www as et org AS ET charity set up up toaadvance advance education excellence in AS ET isis you aa charity set to education and promote AS ET is charity set up to advance education and promote excellence in the care and of animals usededucation ineducation science AS ET ischarity awelfare charity set up to advance advance education and promote excellence in the care and animals used in science AS ET aawelfare charity set up and promote excellence AS ET is ais setof up to to advance and promote excellence in in the care and welfare of animals used in science listed below AS ET If would like totojoin them the care and welfare ofsponsor animals used in science science the care and welfare animals used the care welfare of of animals used in in science ecompanies companies listed sponsor AS ET Ifyou you would join AS ET is aand charity to below advance education and promote excellence inlike the care andin the AS ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence To see how you canused apply for bursary visit how to support usinof by looking atvisit our website To see how you can apply for aa bursary our website www as et org uk welfare of animals science dout out how to support by looking our the care and welfare animals usedat in science To see how you can us apply for a bursary visit website our website www as et org uk To see how you can apply for bursary visit our website www as et org uk how apply aa bursary visit website www as et org uk To To seesee how youyou cancan apply forfor a bursary visit ourour website www as et org uk The companies listed below sponsor AS ET Ifour you would like them Sponsors of AS ET are listed below and to find out more please www as et org uk visit to thejoin website The companies listed below sponsor AS ET If you would like to join them To see how you can apply for asponsor bursary visit website The companies listed below AS ET If you would like to join them The companies listed below sponsor AS ET If you would like to join them The companies listed below sponsor AS ET If you would like to join them www as et org uk The companies listed below sponsor AS ET If you would like to join them find out out how how to to support support us us by by looking looking at at our our website website find find out how to support us by looking at our website find out how to support us by looking at our website find how support looking website find outout how to to support us us by by looking at at ourour The companies listed below sponsor AS ET Ifwebsite you would like to join them find out how to support us by looking at our website

Bulletin November 2018 27 Introducing the Animal Research Nexus Gail Davies University of Exeter In this article we want to introduce the IAT to the Wellcome Trust funded project on the Animal Research Nexus This collaborative award aims to deliver new thinking around different social aspects to animal research and generate new cultures of communication across them It runs from 2017 2022 and is the largest project on the history and social dimensions of animal research the Wellcome Trust has funded We are still in the early stages of our research but we would like to introduce ourselves to you now The work of animal technologists AT is central to issues across the Animal Research Nexus and we hope you will contribute to our research as we go along And there are quite a lot of things to introduce Firstly there is a big team of people to get to know The Wellcome Trust have generously funded 15 people across 5 institutions A key aim of our programme is to develop conversations between people who have studied different historical and social aspects of animal research in the past Figure 1 Members of the Animal Research Nexus team visit an animal facility

28 November 2018 Bulletin In Manchester historians of science and medicine Dr Rob Kirk and Dr Dmitriy Myelnikov are conducting historical research to trace changes in the regulation of animal research through the 20th century They are interested in how animal science animal welfare and societal concerns reshape each other over time In Nottingham Dr Pru Hobson West and Dr Vanessa Ashall bring experience of working across sociology and the veterinary profession to explore the changing professional roles and cultures in the animal facility today with PhD student Renelle McGlacken looking at public perceptions of animal research In Oxford Dr Beth Greenhough Dr Reuben Message and Dr Ally Palmer are on the tail of the species and spaces that offer new challenges to practices and regulations around animal research raising questions around what a culture of care looks like when applied to fish or out in the field In Southampton the focus is on the flows of animals into and out of research facilities as Dr Emma Roe and Dr Sara Peres track questions around animal supply and breeding and PhD student Tess Skidmore traces practices around rehoming In Exeter Prof Gail Davies and Dr Rich Gorman are looking at the growth of patient and public involvement in research and the potential for new interfaces between people and the practices of animal research Helping us work together internally is the ever efficient research administrator Fiona French at Exeter and ensuring we engage externally and creatively is our public engagement facilitator Dr Bentley Crudgington in Manchester Secondly there are some big ideas to introduce People are used to thinking about how animal research involves ethical issues and raises broader societal concerns However the idea of an animal research nexus is new and needs some explanation The idea of a policy nexus has been used to explore how key environmental issues like food water and energy are inextricably linked and to refocus attention on connections to demonstrate how actions in any one area have impacts in another We suggest there are similar issues in animal research where biomedical research practices animal welfare science and research benefits are clearly linked in regulation and the public imagination but can be silo ed or remain separate in practice We are taking the Animals in Scientific Procedures Act ASPA as the basis for exploring the ways these connections work ASPA is implemented through policy techniques that try to connect developments across science welfare and research benefits like health These techniques include things like the 3Rs which connect science and animal welfare whilst bringing in the idea of future replacements The harm benefit analysis connects harms and benefits in science whilst also opening up questions around the changing social

Bulletin November 2018 29 acceptability of both harms and research benefits And a growing focus on cultures of care recognises that whilst the regulation of science is important it is not enough to support people to practice care These techniques have emerged and changed over time reflecting broad trends across science and society In our research projects and cross cutting conversations we are exploring how these connections were made historically and how they are working together today By looking across history animal care animal supply professions and patients we are asking how far current approaches to the regulation of animal research address social and scientific concerns and where there are gaps Putting our different disciplinary perspectives together helps us to understand these connections so does working closely with the animal research community to inform and develop our work Figure 2 Integrating work on the history and social aspects of animal research through the idea of the animal research nexus

Bulletin November 2018 31 So thirdly and finally we would like to introduce why we think our work on the animal research nexus might be of interest to the IAT We have already been trying out ideas in research conversations and meetings with animal technologists in different projects You might have come across the work of Bentley Sara and Emma at the last IAT Congress where they invited participants to map Laboratory Animal Journeys together They are interested in how ATs can share knowledge interests and concerns about this topic and help shape the kinds of questions we are exploring They used creative techniques to map where laboratory animals come from and where they go paying attention to the emotional and social aspects of this journey along with the practical and regulatory ones Figure 3 IAT members record their ideas about different laboratory animal journeys Reuben and Beth have been interviewing and shadowing animal technologists who work with zebrafish They are examining how care and ethics are understood and put into practice in the aquarium and looked at how regulations often designed with mammals in mind work in this context They are also interested in the development and impacts of standardisation in fish husbandry and welfare an important process but one which can also have unexpected consequences for the way technologists work With colleagues and other stakeholders they are helping to co ordinate a workshop on the standardisation of welfare terminology at LASA in November so look out for them there Rob and Dmitriy are keen to identify and try to preserve the historical archive of laboratory animal science and welfare animal technology and animal care They would be really interested in talking to members with long memories or exploring and preserving any dusty old newsletters journals and handbooks which may be needing a home

32 November 2018 Bulletin Our research so far suggests ATs play vitally important roles across the animal research nexus We are exploring how this is shaped through training experience power and authority across different professional laboratory roles We are looking at how ATs are consulted to assess whether an animal is suitable for rehoming as they have a more intimate knowing of the animals they are in contact with every day We are interested in how ATs are often involved in helping out when patient groups visit animal research activities We think it is important to understand how individuals negotiate all of these legislative operational and ethical challenges in the animal research environment Perhaps ATs are already doing the practical work that holds the animal research nexus together Having made our introductions we d love to hear what you think For further information or to contribute to our research please explore our website https animalresearchnexus org and follow the links to people for contact details

Bulletin November 2018 35 Killifish by Paul Barwood Killifish are oviviparous members of the order Cyprinodontiformes toothcarps an order of ray finned fishes that also contains popular viviparous aquarium fish such as swordtails Xiphophorus spp guppies and mollies Poecilia spp Often brightly coloured most killifish live in a diverse range of habitats inhabiting fresh or brackish water and having diverse reproductive strategies There are approximately 700 species of killifish with the majority found in permanent water bodies in the tropical and sub tropical regions of Africa Asia the Americas and southern Europe They are usually quite small averaging 2 5 5 cm in length with the largest species reaching just under 15 cm Xiphophorus hellerii red By Wojciech J P uciennik CC BY SA 4 0 https creativecommons org licenses by sa 4 0 from Wikimedia Commons Most killifish live for 2 5 years however there are also some very specialised species commonly referred to as annuals These live in ephemeral pools and

36 November 2018 Bulletin Aphyosemion australe gold By Alexander Prokoshev GFDL http www gnu org copyleft fdl html or CC BY SA 3 0 http creativecommons org licenses by sa 3 0 from Wikimedia Commons Northobranchius kilomberoensis By Andrew Bogott CC BY SA 4 0 https creativecommons org licenses by sa 4 0 from Wikimedia Commons

Bulletin November 2018 37 flood plains and have much shorter life spans with some species completing their life cycle in less than 3 weeks Due to this most of their eggs can survive partial dehydration even those of the non annual species The embryos of some species actually die if they remain in water for more than a few weeks This shortened life span and specialised reproductive strategy means that several species of killifish are useful scientific models Due to the diverse range of habitats that killifish inhabit there is no standard way of keeping them water is the only constant which in some cases can be just a puddle in a rainforest Each species has their own unique combination of requirements that enable them to survive in specific habitat types and has enabled their colonisation of areas that most other fish are unable to Flooded ephemeral pond Timkozusko GFDL http www gnu org copyleft fdl html or CC BY SA 3 0 https creativecommons org licenses by sa 3 0 from Wikimedia Commons Most species of killifish produce large eggs and therefore large fry thus giving them a competitive edge over species that produce smaller fry These eggs can be laid in or on soil substrates or on plants and this varies depending upon species The non annual species tend to lay their eggs in vegetation whereas the annual species are generally substrate spawners and deposit their eggs in the mud some will do both Unlike most other species of fish killifish embryos can survive periods when their habitat dries up During these dry spells the

Bulletin November 2018 39 embryos enter a period of suspended development known as diapause which can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few years When the rains arrive again and the ponds and flood plains fill with water environmental triggers cause these resting embryos to hatch However killifish have adapted so that not all the embryos develop at the same rate meaning that they don t hatch at the same time This strategy to not put all your eggs in one basket means that there are still viable embryos waiting to hatch should their environment dry too soon for a new generation to be produced When keeping killifish it is possible to collect embryos from the plant spawning species by the use of a spawning mop usually made of wool or plastic Embryo collection from substrate spawning species usually involves the use of peat sand or coconut fiber The fish lay their eggs in these media which can then be removed from the tank and the embryos cared for separately Northobranchius furzeri German wikipedia user Ugau GFDL http www gnu org copyleft fdl html or CC BY SA 3 0 http creativecommons org licenses by sa 3 0 via Wikimedia Commons The African turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri is a substrate spawning species used in research and is the shortest living vertebrate that can be bred in captivity When they lay their eggs hobbyists will often keep them in the substrate they were laid in often peat This isn t the case when the fish are being used in a research setting the embryos are usually separated from the substrate and kept in water for around a week until they start to develop black eyes At this stage the embryos are then transferred to a solid substrate such as peat or filter paper and maintained in this slightly moist humid environment The temperature that the embryos are kept at determines how their development progresses If they are kept at a higher temperature they will develop relatively fast and within a few weeks will have developed golden irises and be ready to hatch If they are kept at a lower temperature they can

40 November 2018 Bulletin be stored for many months The embryos can then be triggered to develop to the late diapause stage when required by raising the temperature By keeping the embryos in this way it is also possible to time their development so that most of them are ready to hatch at the same time Turquoise killifish fry are relatively large and grow fast Their wild diet consisting of mainly small crustaceans and aquatic insects is difficult to replicate in captivity Initially the fry are often fed newly hatched brine shrimp Artemia although the use of rotifer is preferable Rotifer are a better size for first feeding and can be enriched to improve their nutritional profile As the fry grow bloodworm often live is introduced to their diet This can pose problems as the quality and nutrition proffered by the bloodworm will vary and if live bloodworm is used it can act as a vector for pathogens The use of dry diets isn t particularly common and requires further investigation with some people reporting that feeding an exclusively dry diet greatly reduces embryo output In captivity turquoise killifish typically mature when they are about 4 weeks old and will live for 3 6 months As they mature the males become territorial and quite aggressive to one another and because of this males are often singularly housed Group housing is possible but is dependent on the size of the tank stocking density and sex ratio As with all fish species ammonia and nitrite levels should be kept to a minimum and it is often recommended that turquoise killifish are kept in harder water to reduce outbreaks of oodinium They are however tolerant of a wide range of water hardness with softer water being best for breeding Killifish have become useful models for research Historically the study of ageing has focussed on invertebrate model organisms such as yeast worms and flies Mice Mus musculus and zebrafish Danio rerio have also been used because due to their physiology they age in a way more closely related to humans However these studies are affected by their relatively long life spans of approximately 3 5 years Whereas the turquoise killifish with its short lifespan of 6 months or less make a good species for studying age related phenotypes and pathologies A paper by Valenzano et al 2016 The shortlived African turquoise killifish an emerging experimental model for ageing reviews a range of topics relating to the usefulness of turquoise killifish in research Subjects such as human ageing model organisms used to study ageing lifespan modulation genetic modification and more are covered Some species of killifish are also useful for toxicology studies as they are typically sensitive to environmental pollution However there are some species that have evolved rapidly to tolerate very high levels of pollution This is probably because killifish due to their evolutionary history have greater genetic diversity than a lot of other animals and the mutations that enabled this adaptation were already present in the population

Bulletin November 2018 IAT HERTS ESSEX BRANCH You never know you may even catch a glimpse of Santa himself Children of all ages welcome let us know so we can let Santa know Friday 16th November 6 30pm for 7pm start 9 30pm Location Ware Hertfordshire PRIZES RAFFLE BUFFET Teams of up to five 2 per adult For tickets please contact hertsandessexsecretary hotmail co uk kindly sponsored by 43

44 November 2018 Bulletin As part of IAT Technologist Month next March there will be lots of activity going on in your local IAT branches and within some of your establishments as well as a big quiz to get involved with This event invites you to celebrate being an Animal Technician in the UK Look out for further updates

Bulletin November 2018 45 d th 13th W Z If you are a member of the IAT West Middlesex Branch animal d d d d t Z d d 1st t d K t D

Closing Date Monday 10th December 2018

Bulletin November 2018 47 DIARY Dates 15 November 2018 Primate Welfare Meeting NC3Rs Registration closes 26 October Central London Details nc3rs org uk 15 16 November Technical and Operational Advances in Gnotobiology CMU Geneva Switzerland Details https go allentowninc com geneva 16 November IAT Herts and Essex Branch Big Fat Christmas Quiz Details on page 43 26 November 2018 Mouse handling workshop support for trainers NTCOs and other named persons Registration closes 12 November Central London Details https www nc3rs org uk events 2018mouse handling workshop supporttrainers ntcos and other namedpersons 27 29 November LASA Conference Birmingham Details http www lasa co uk meetings info lasa co uk Front cover Seal by Ailsa Morrison 1 December Closing date for FELASA 2019 Bursary Competition Details on page 45 josefinew s3science com 4 December Theatre Technician Workshop London Details info learningcurvedevelopment co uk 7 December Andrew Blake Tribute Award 2019 closing date Details on pages 20 and 21 7 December IAT Council Nominations closing date Details on page 11 9 December Congress Early Bird Registration closing date Details on page 19 10 December RSPCA Lay Members Forum London Details research animals rspca org uk 19 December Congress 2019 closing date for Oral Poster Presentations Details on pages 19 and 32