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Institute of Animal TechnologyBulletinVol 55 No 7 July 2019G Linda writes… G Animal Tech Month ReportsG AAALAC Fellowship Report G Branch NewsG AS-ET News G Diary Dates

EDITOR*Carole Wilsonbulletineditor@iat.org.ukASSISTANT EDITOR*Karen Dunfordbulletinassistant@iat.org.ukADVERTISEMENTMANAGERSPRC Associates Ltdmail@prcassoc.co.ukPublished monthly by theInstitute of Animal Technology*Registered Office:5 South ParadeSummertownOxfordOX2 7JLISSN 0263-2861For enquiries other thanBulletin related contact:IAT ADMINISTRATOR*admin@iat.org.ukor 0800 085 4380BulletinVol 55 No 7 July 2019Final copy date forSeptember Bulletin1st AugustThe opinions expressed in theBulletin do not necessarily reflectthose of the Editor or theInstitute.CONTENTSDear Readers 5Linda writes… 7-9ABTA 2020 Information 10-12Obituary for Carol Chisholm 13AAALAC International 15-25Fellowship Award ReportTrade Passport Competition 26-27AS-ET News 29-33Animal Technologist Month 35-41Branch News 42-45NC3Rs/IAT Symposium 46InformationDiary Dates 47

BulletinJuly 2019• 5DDeeaarr RReeaaddeerrssRoll on the summer, as I write this I am sittingin glorious sunshine with magnificent views over theScottish countryside, I don’t want to go home!If you are wondering why Linda Horan is on the frontcover of the Bulletin this month – it is because KenApplebee has handed over the reins to Linda. As thenew CEO and Chair, the first ‘Linda writes’ appears onpages 7-9, which outlines the plans the IAT have for2019 and onwards. From my perspective, one of themost exciting things the IAT are doing is making theATW an open access journal and I’ll be talking about that more in a futureedition of the Bulletin.Coming back to this edition of the Bulletin, as you all know ATW is editedby Jas Barley, who is also heavily involved in AS-ET and this year’s lecturesare again in London and Manchester and will be given by Professor DameFrances Ashcroft about her work on diabetes. This disease is affecting moreand more people, so please go along to both support AS-ET and hear moreabout her work.In other community minded news, we still have articles coming in showingwhat people have been up to in the March Technologist’s month and it’sgreat to see such large involvement in the event – see pages 35-41.Animal Technologist month is inspired by similar celebrations in the USAand as a reminder of the global nature of our industry, we have a report byTheresa Faughnan, the American recipient of the AAALAC InternationalFellowship Award on pages 15-25.Lastly for those of you expecting to see Part II of the Congress pictures, tolook for pictures of yourselves or others you might know, sorry – spaceconstraints mean that I have to delay that until next month!HHaappppyy RReeaaddiinngg!!!!!!CCaarroollee

BulletinJuly 2019• 7Linda writes…Iam delighted to be introducing myself as thenew CEO and Chair of IAT Council.For those of you that don’t know me, I am LindaHoran. I have been in the Industry for over thirtyyears, on Council for around 14 and for the last5 years I have been the Honorary Secretary ofthe Institute. In my day job, I manage a mediumsized multispecies unit at The University ofStrathclyde.I would like to take this opportunity to extendCouncil’s sincere thanks to the outgoing Chair,Ken Applebee OBE for his last five year term inoffice. Not only has he steered Council along, hehas been very heavily invested in animal technology education and theformation of CLAST. I am pleased to report that he will remain on Council foranother year as Immediate Past Chair, so I haven’t been abandoned! After the AGM in April the May Council meeting often sees a re-shuffling ofCouncil as there are elections for the positions. I am delighted to introduce thenew Honorary Secretary, Simon Cumming from The University of Edinburghand a new Chair of the Board of Education Policy, Steven Cubitt fromCCTech/The Cube.Also from Kings College London, Glyn Fisher takes over from Charlie ChambersGlyn FisherSimon Cumming Steve Cubitt

Bulletin8 •July 2019as Treasurer. Charlie has been an amazingtreasurer for around 30 years and theInstitute is indebted to him, he has lookedafter our finances like they were his ownand ensured the IAT is in a very strongfinancial position (as reported at the AGM).The 2018 Annual Report was passed at theAGM and is now available on the Members’Section on the IAT websitewww.iat.org.uk/members-documents. I highlighted a number of key areas andpresented Council’s main Objectives for 2019 1. Animal Technology and Welfare (ATW) is to become an open access, free to view e-publication from January 2020.2. Review and revise IAT Levels 4, 5 and 6 Diplomas in Laboratory AnimalScience and Technology to ensure their continuing relevance to the latestscientific knowledge and techniques.3. In collaboration with EFAT and FELASA to develop and support educationand training of animal care staff within Europe and overseas.4. Continue and increase opportunities for joint initiatives with other like-minded organisations.5. Plan events to celebrate the IAT’s 70th Anniversary in 2020.6. Develop a Level 5 HE Animal Technologist Apprenticeship, building on theLevel 3 Animal Technologist Apprenticeship.I would also like to welcome Senga Allan, Paul Sanders and David Spillanewho were all elected as Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents are peoplethat Council feel have an area of expertise they excel in and their knowledgewill be advantageous to the Institute.Looking forward into the future there is a joint NC3Rs/IAT Technicians’symposium planned in October https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/events/nc3rsiat-animal-technicians-symposium-2019Charlie Chambers

BulletinJuly 2019• 9And of course the Animal Science & Technology Conference AST2020, wherethe IAT are joining together with the Laboratory Animal Science Association(LASA) and the Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association (LAVA) for a one of a kind combined conference to be held in Edinburgh. Registration is now openhttps://www.ast2020.org/ (see page 46).Remember the Institute is here to represent YOUR views – the AnimalTechnicians/Technologists and Care staff who day-to-day provide theappropriate environment and welfare of research animals in your facilities. We want to hear about your issues and also your successes, so please docontact us: https://www.iat.org.uk/contactLLiinnddaaIAT Ethical Statement IAT Ethical Statement ––UPDATEUPDATETo take into account the importance and value of the 3Rs (Replacement,Reduction, Refinement) within Animal Technology, we have updated ourEthical Statement:“In the conduct of their Professional duties, AnimalTechnologists have a moral and legal obligation, atall times, to promote and safeguard the welfare ofanimals in their care, recognising that goodlaboratory animal welfare is an essential componentof good laboratory animal technology and science.The Institute recognises and supports the applicationof the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction,Refinement) in all areas of animal research.”https://www.iat.org.uk/lawIAT Council

BulletinJuly 2019• 13Carol Chisholm was a well known and wellloved, member of the IAT. She wasfamous for being the best person to speakto at Congress about finding a proper cupof tea and if she couldn’t point you in theright direction, she always had a kettleand Yorkshire tea bags in her luggage! Carol was an active member of the oldemail lists and maintained contact withother members and friends wheneverpossible. She was always on hand with helpand advice for anyone that was in need. I amsure most will remember her ‘open door policy’for visitors and reps, with one condition – bring cake!Carol started her career at Leeds Medical School in 1965 moving on tothe Tobacco Research Council in Harrogate, then back to LeedsPolytechnic. While at Leeds Polytechnic she went to a conference in Nottinghamwhere she met my father, Ken Chisholm. They spent the late 1970sworking together to set up a unit in Sardinia, before returning toLondon. Dad went back to the ICRF (now CRUK) and stayed there untilhe retired. Mum worked at a school in North London and at Glaxo inWare. In the late 1980s she began working at the University ofHertfordshire, staying there until her retirement in 2013. Sadly, after a short battle with cancer, we lost Carol on 15th May 2019. She leaves a huge legacy, a whole career dedicated to maintaininghigh welfare standards and high levels of education, both firmlyinstilled in her technicians, students and research scientists. A largerthan life character, warmly remembered by all that called her a friend,all that shared a cup of tea with her and all that benefitted from herwealth of experience.Louisa Chisholm-KellyCAROL CHISHOLM

BulletinJuly 2019• 15AAALAC International Fellowship Award ReportBy Theresa Faughnan On 30th March, 2019 I headedto London for my two weekAAALAC InternationalFellowship in LaboratoryAnimal Science. This was anincredible once-in-a-lifetimeexperience to meet, talk withand learn from UK laboratoryanimal colleagues. The hostsat each facility prepared a dayof learning for me, where Itoured areas and talked withresearch staff. The first facilityI had the honour to visit wasThe Francis Crick Institute inLondon where I saw the mostcollaborative scientificenvironment I have ever seenas soon as I walked throughthe front doors. I spent theday visiting different animalareas, talking with animalfacility staff, who answered somany of my questions. I enjoyed a luncheon withstaff members with variousposition titles who took the time to explain to me their role and how theresearch process works. I was amazed to learn about the UK Home Office andhow the protocol process works in the UK. The open concept of laboratoryspace and the way different disciplines collaborate together was quiteimpressive at The Crick! I toured the experimental facilities, aquatics and a veryimpressive imaging centre.That night I boarded a train and headed down south to Salisbury and the nextday I visited the Centre for Macaques (CFM). Once at the building, I met thefacility manager and a researcher who talked to me about her researchThe Francis Crick Institute

Bulletin16 •July 2019projects. I met the incredibly dedicated staff members who care for themonkeys each day. The enclosures were connected by rooms with largecolonies of monkeys living together. All had large windows with views to theoutside and when the sun streams through the glass, the animals enjoy baskingin the sunlight. I enjoyed interacting with macaques which I had not done inmany years since working with them in USA cancer research. It was nice to bearound them again and I enjoyed giving them enrichment items and watchingthem interact with each other. It was a very memorable day spent at thefacility and before I left to head back to London I was able to stop atStonehenge which was close by to see the ancient structures before sunset. The next morning in London, I headed straight to the Understanding AnimalResearch (UAR) meeting and spent the morning learning from this fantasticorganisation about their public outreach, how they engage with the public andthe UK public’s perception on animal research. I was surprised to learn howopen the UK facilities are in regards to animal research. There is informationfound on many organisational websites and some institutions have days duringthe year where the public is allowed to come in and see the facility. The UARgroup talked to me about the Concordat on Openness on Animal Researchwhich in 2012, many organisations involved in animal research signed. TheConcordat sets out how they will be more open about the ways in which theyuse animals in research in the UK, with the objective to ensure members of theStonehenge

BulletinJuly 2019• 17public have accurate and up-to-date information regarding animal research.Over 120 UK organizations have signed the Concordat! How impressive thiswas to learn about and made me think about the USA and how great it wouldbe if we had something like this. But a Concordat would mean that we have tobe more open and transparent in the USA concerning our use of animals. After that meeting, Itravelled a short distanceto Kings College Londonto meet with theBiological ServicesDirector and afterwards Ihad a tour of animpressive zebrafishfacility for the afternoon.Meeting the director wasso enjoyable anddiscussing the USA vs UKways of research wasenlightening. Seeing thelarge 3000+ tank zebrafish colony was a greatlearning experience. Ihave not worked withzebrafish before inresearch so learningabout these animals, theresearch studies and theoverall operation of thefacility was enlightening.The manager of thefacility was exceptionallyknowledgeable andanswered a barrage ofquestions I had about thefish, the research and the facility operations.Early the next day I headed by train to Cambridge as the day began at 8:30amat the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB).Here I spent the morning in a conference room with staff members and learnedmore about the Named Persons in the facility, the roles which must be filled ineach research institution in the UK, such as the Named Veterinary Surgeon(NVS), the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) and NamedZebrafish facility at King’s College

Bulletin18 •July 2019Training and Competency Officer (NTCO). I learned about the emphasis onrefinement and I met an exceptional group of people who really care about thehealth and wellbeing of the rodents. I also saw a detailed database used fortraining staff which I thought would be great to have in my own place! I touredan impressive barrier facility for mice and interacted with very knowledgeablestaff. I was able to tour two buildings and see how they perform the non-tailmethod of cage changing and instead using tunnel handling. And I also learnedmore about discretionary cage changes, which has cut down on mouseaggression. I watched an ultrasound on mice for pregnancy determination,microinjection demonstrations, a non-surgical embryo transfer technique andinteresting grasshopper mice! That night I had a lovely dinner with some staffof the LMB, they took me to The Eagle Pub which is an historic place datingback to 1525. This is the place where Watson and Crick would meet and relax inthe early 1950s surely discussing their theories on DNA.The next morning I arrived at Cambridge University. I was greeted by my hostfor the day and spent the entire time alongside him learning more about theprestigious University. These are colleges where some of the brightest peoplehave studied, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Jane Goodall andStephen Hawking. I spent a packed-full day in Cambridge, seeing differentbuildings and meeting different scientists, research staff and animal facilitystaff. I met macaques which are from the CFM breeding facility and talked withMarmosets at Cambridge

BulletinJuly 2019• 19a dedicated research technician who told me how she interacts with themonkeys each day and I could see the bond that has developed between them.They trust her and look for her attention and she knows their personalities sowell. I visited an incredible marmoset colony in the veterinary school withhousing areas that staff can walk into and it was incredible to be able to walkinto an enclosure with these monkeys, an experience I will not forget.Cambridge University studies cichlid fish and their aquatics room is quitedifferent from a zebrafish room. These fish are amazing because they haveevolved into over 850 species in an astonishing variety of related forms, which isa great example of the power of natural selection. I also saw outdoor facilitieswhere wild birds are studied in behaviour research in nice outdoor enclosures.They are forever hiding pebbles and other objects all around the enclosure. It was now the weekend where I had time of my own and was able to walkaround Cambridge and see this beautiful historic city. I found a park in themiddle of the city where farm animals freely roam around. You can findstudents sitting and studying as the animals walk all around. As soon as Iwalked into the area where I saw cows, they came right over to me and Ienjoyed petting and interacting with them. There are cattle grids at the parkMacaques

Bulletin22 •July 2019gate entrances so the animalscannot cross over them,therefore they stay in thelarge park area, with plenty ofroom to roam and graze. I wasalso able to visit the DavidAttenborough building atCambridge University wherethe Zoology Museum islocated. Many museumsaround the UK are free, so itwas really nice to spend theday looking at variousspecimens…including CharlesDarwin’s beetle collection! TheCam River runs throughCambridge and you can hire apunt and have a chauffeurtake you on a river tour usinga long pole to guide the puntalong the river. Now you don’tfind this in New York City! Cambridge – cows and punts

BulletinJuly 2019• 23On Monday, which was the last day for visiting a research facility, I spent theday at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, a modern well-run institute whichwas founded in 1993. There are very impressive advances in genomic researchthat have happened there, leading to a new understanding of genomes andtheir role in biology. I met very knowledgeable staff members and saw mice,zebrafish and frogs and watched a research technician perform her injectionswith the frogs. I also spent time seeing an impressive database and with theTransgenic Technologies Group which provides DNA and ES cell microinjectionand mouse cryopreservation services. I have seen microinjection corelaboratories before, but here I learned so much about different specialisedservices and how they are performed. I saw amazing equipment and jotteddown some information to take back to the USA with me. I saw nice anesthesiawarming platforms which swivel and scavenge gas at the same time and I knewthis was something which would be great to have back in my facility. I also wasable to spend time in a cage wash area with amazing robotic equipment andtalked with the staff who manage this area. I was impressed with the emphasisput on ergonomics and employee safety. On Tuesday morning I tookthe railway to Liverpool wherethe IAT Congress would beginand last until Friday morningbreakfast. This was the 33rdAnnual IAT meeting and I washonoured to be a part of itand saw familiar faces fromthe week before. I attendedmany different scientific talksand was able to attend threedifferent workshops. OnWednesday I gave a 30 minutepresentation on “Expandingthe 3Rs: Remembering theAnimals and Respecting StaffEmotions”. The talk discussedthe importance ofacknowledging animal useand ways to remember theanimals used in facilities and Ialso discussed the emotionalstress of working in the fieldand ways to address this stress.After my talk I walkedPosters at Congress

Bulletin24 •July 2019through the poster area.The poster and vendorarea at the Congress ismuch like you see at aNational AALAS meetingin the USA. The vendorarea was filled with lotsof good take homeinformation and talkingwith the vendors wasquite valuable since I sawsome products whichwere new to me. I am soimpressed in how muchtime is spent in the UK onrefinement for animalsand there were vendoritems and posters there toprove it. Posters focussingon using tunnels tochange instead of tailhandling mice,subcuticular stitchesinstead of skin clips inrats, refinement tohandling chickens inresearch, ferretenrichment, and lookingat wooden enrichmentfor Syrian hamsters. Thereis a real sense ofcamaraderie at the IAT. Attendees are provided with all their meals at theCongress so there is so much time spent together talking and sharing ideas. I was also able to talk with the Home Office Inspectors at the conference andwas impressed at how they were so engaged with technicians and facility staffand hosted workshops to help them learn more.On Friday and the close of the IAT Congress, I headed back to London byrailway, took in a last few sites of this amazing city and the next day I boardeda plane back to New York. My head was filled with new ideas and a motivationto try to improve on animal welfare whenever possible. This was an incrediblelearning experience and I met some wonderful experienced andknowledgeable UK colleagues, who I can now call friends. Networking at Congress

BulletinJuly 2019• 25From my time in the UK, I realised the similarities in animal research comparedto the USA and also the differences. The UK has a system where thegovernment gives the final approval on protocols which is quite different thanthe USA system where the institutions are charged with reviewing and givingfinal approval for studies. I also found the UK to be more focussed on the 3Rsof research and refinement was surely a main priority in the facilities I visitedin the UK. The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement andReduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is based in London and thisorganisation collaborates with scientists and other organisations across the lifesciences to support the commitment to the 3Rs. I find the UK to be veryfocussed on the welfare of animals, more transparent on their use of animalsand provide the public with information on their research including theirrodent work. This stands in sharp contrast to the USA where the USA excludespurpose-bred rats and mice from federal Animal Welfare Act coverage. Assomeone who has worked in animal research for over 30 years, who has alwaysbelieved that purpose-bred rats and mice should be covered under the AnimalWelfare Act, and who strives to keep animal welfare a top priority, I feel theUSA can learn a lot from our UK colleagues. I will be forever impressed withthe UK’s level of care for all research animals. The USA does a very good jobwith caring for research animals, but I think we can do better, especially afterwhat I have learned on my AAALAC Fellowship. My thanks to AAALAC International, with the support from the DatesandGroup, Priority One Services, NIH and the MRC for this incredible opportunityfor career growth, sharing and learning in the field of laboratory animalscience! I have gained so much knowledge and I plan to share what I havelearned with my USA colleagues. I encourage others to apply, or to nominateor support someone for this Fellowship Award. I also thank my hosts at thevarious facilities I visited who helped organise my day, especially Alan Palmer,Christopher Stone, Claire Witham, Bella Williams, Kenneth Applebee, DarrenEgan, Alan Graham and Diane Hazlehurst. And a special thanks to all the staff of the institutions I visited, for sharingtheir knowledge and expertise with me!

Bulletin26 •July 2019Trade Passport CompetitionThis year’s Passport Competition was as popular as ever and, of course,featured the famous Liver Bird on the front cover. With 27 companiestaking part this year, the delegates were tasked with attending each ofthe exhibition booths in the trade hall and getting a signature over therelevant logo before returning the completed passport to the Datesandstand for a chance to win one of 2 £150 Mastercard gift cards.There were some super keen entrants this year, with the first completedcards being handed in on the very first evening! Many more werecompleted during the following days and there were over 50 entries inthe end. Top tip: get your entries in early as some trade reps are hard tofind later in the week!

BulletinJuly 2019• 27This year’s winners were Keith Chalmers from Edinburgh University andJemma Marsland from Covance. They were both over the moon withtheir prizes and now have the hardest job of all…deciding what tospend their winnings on.Next year at AST2020 the passport will be running once again so makesure you get involved!Reporter: Nicky WindowsKeith receives his prize

BulletinJuly 2019• 29AS-ET Congress Bursary CompetitionThe Animals in Science Education Trust is pleased to announce the fourthbursary competition to attend AST2020. The intention of the bursary is to encourage early career animal technicalstaff to extend their knowledge and experience by attending the largestanimal technology meeting in the UK.Applications are invited from animal technical staff, based in the UK orthe Republic of Ireland, who are studying for or were awarded the IATLevel 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology in 2017,2018 or 2019.The successful applicant will be selected on the basis of a 1000 wordessay on the following:Outline the responsibilities of the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officerin a facility licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986(as amended 2012) or the EU directive 2010/63/EU. Discuss the ways inwhich you can assist the NACWO in ensuring the welfare of the animals inyour care.The essays must be received by AS-ET by 20th October 2019. They should be sent by email together with the application form to contact@as-et.org.uk

Bulletin30 •July 2019AS-ET Fifth Annual LectureSweetness and Light: studying the molecular basis of diabetesThe lectures will take place from 5pm 16th October – London28th October – ManchesterEach lecture will be followed by a wine receptionTickets (£10.00) are available fromwww.as-et.org.ukThe names of the people attending each lecture will be entered into aPrize draw for a £100 Amazon Gift VoucherProfessor Dame Frances AshcroftDBE BA PhD ScD FRMedSci FRSGlaxo SmithKline Royal Society ResearchProfessor and Fellow of Trinity College University of Oxford

BulletinJuly 2019• 31Dame Frances’ research concerns the study of ion channels and theirrole in the release of insulin from the pancreas in response to risingblood sugar levels. The research group she leads has an internationalreputation for their work on insulin secretion, Type II diabetes andneonatal diabetes.She has received many honours and awards indicating the value of herwork including:G Elected Fellow of the Royal SocietyG The Walter B Cannon Award of the American Physiological Society(the Society’s highest honour)G The L’Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in ScienceG The Croonian Lecture and Medal of the Royal SocietyG Honorary Doctorates from several Universities includingCambridgeG The award of DBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2015 for herservices to Medical Science and the Public Understanding ofScienceDame Francis is an excellent speaker as her lectures on YouTube willillustrate. We are very grateful to have her as our 5th Annual Lecturer.London Lecture Manchester Lecture is sponsored by is sponsored byNorth West Branch

Bulletin32 •July 2019AS-ET helped me continue my studiesAS-ET was set up to advance education and promote excellence in thecare and welfare of animals used in science. As a charity, it relies upondonations and distributes grants to attend courses to improve knowledgeand skills. It has also established a special travel bursary, congresscompetition and educational prizes.Corporate sponsors help with donations as well as individual members whoare keen to help support this worthy charity.I was disappointed a few years ago to find myself in a situation where Ihad been given full support from my employer to continue studying to ahigher level of education through CLAST. A change in policy resulted infinancial support no longer being available. I applied for assistancethrough AS-ET and they came to my rescue. It enabled me to continue mystudies which are so important in our industry.I have seen industry supporting education less and less over the years andstruggle to understand why funding from employers isn’t always available.Education allows us to grow and develop as professionals and importantlythese courses promote animal welfare and an understanding of science.I cannot thank AS-ET enough for helping with financial assistance allowingme the opportunity to continue studying and I would personally like tothank Stephen Barnett and his colleagues for all of their support over theyears.Reporter: Carmen Abela

BulletinJuly 2019• 33AS-ET is a charity to advance education and promote excellence in the careand welfare of animals used in science. Sponsors of AS-ET are listed below and to find out more please visit thewebsite www.as-et.org.ukAS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15

BulletinJuly 2019• 35Animal Technologist Month at the SainsburyWellcome CentreOriginally practiced in the USA, Animal Technologist week was introduced toestablishments to recognise laboratory animal technicians for theiressential contributions as members of research teams. In 2002 it was extendedglobally and in 2019 the UK Institute of Animal Technology designated Marchas Animal Technologist Month. We are a multi-disciplined group of people with a wide range of specialistskills. Our knowledge of numerous PPLs, laws and ever-changing refinementsto animal welfare are certainly something to be celebrated.Being an animal technician can be emotionally complicated. You cannot do thisjob if you don’t have a genuine love of animals. It’s often smelly and physicallytaxing. We care for animals at their most vulnerable. A great deal of empathyis needed whilst being able to balance the scientific requirements expected byresearchers. The ‘Mouscars’

Bulletin36 •July 2019Whatever your scientific discipline, the animal facility and the staff that run itwill be the solid foundation on which all good research is built. At the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) Animal Technologist month was agreat success. We were treated to chocolates and doughnuts by the PPLgroups, who clearly know the way to our hearts. There were presentationsoutlining the research in our establishment allowing us to ask questions andhelped to directly link our work to the ongoing progress.On the last day, one of our favourite researchers organised an award ceremony‘The Mouscars’ with trophies and prizes, for our department. We brought inhome-made treats and celebrated with a toast and were touched at thethought and effort that went into it. I hope you all had a fantastic Animal Technologist Month. Here’s to us!And the Mouscar goes to…Noisiest typer – RezeartaMost gullible – LouisMost accident prone – DanBiggest hoarder – SianFastest texter – RebeccaWeirdest facts knower – GavinJoker (best jokes or worst jokes) – TinaBob the Builder (can he/she fix it….) – TommySocial Media Addict – TommyBest tea maker – Louis/MollyAND most likely to:Shave their head – SianStart a meme – MollyBuild their own house – DanFall asleep on the tube and miss their stop – GavinDance on the table – EleniThank you to Molly Strom, our honorary team member for organising this andfor her constant support!Reporter: Sian Murphy

BulletinJuly 2019• 37Animal Technologist MonthThe IAT held a month of celebration for the contribution that technologistsmake to animal care and welfare within research with a series of events fortechnicians to participate in, such as fun competitions, local branch run events,prizes and giveaways.The reason for this? Advancing and promoting excellence in the care andwelfare of animals in research.Animal technicians are critical in the day-to-day function of any animal facilityand play vital roles in the care and management of animals whilst maintaininghigh standards of animal health and welfare.Technologist Month provides an opportunity to recognise the endlesstechnicians’ contributions. Thanks to the IAT Edinburgh Branch, they kindlysupplied all technicians across the 14 Bioresearch & Veterinary Services (BVS)facilities and departments with Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Whilst we celebrated and honoured the commitment of technicians and thehard work we put in, it was a nice chance to have an informal get togetherwith our colleagues. It was a team effort across the department to see whatteam could take the best photo of us celebrating with our doughnuts. Theimages made for some interesting viewing!In August 2018, two extremely experienced and successful departments mergedinto one and Bioresearch & Veterinary Services was born. Therefore, thedepartment as it is known now is very much in its infancy but it has a clearvision for the research, animals and staff moving forward. We now have bi-annual departmental meetings and 130 of us attended the second BVSdepartmental meeting in March, planned so we could also celebrate TechMonth as a department as well as in our individual teams. During this meetingwe enjoyed lots of cake, cheeses and plenty tea and coffee. There were threemembers of the team awarded for their service to the University, each workingfor some 40 years. BVS take part in a modern apprenticeship scheme and weenjoyed hearing how the MAs were getting on within our facilities as ourDirector, Dr Lesley Penny interviewed them in a Q&A style forum. We also

Bulletin38 •July 2019listened, with interest, to a member of the Occupational Health team as shespoke to us about the importance of mental health, something that not manypeople feel comfortable with but BVS has a culture of care, an invested interestin all the staff and are committed to supporting all the animal technicians theyemploy. After the meeting was finished and we were all full of cake, some ofthe team took the opportunity to network and socialise in the evening. In other words, it was off to the pub!Furthermore, BVS are kindly going to be supplying another two coffeemornings with breakfast items of our choice, to be redeemed as a teamwhenever we choose throughout the forthcoming year.The generosity goes a long way to, not only thanking the technicians for allthe work we do but it supports the “CARE” Values and Beliefs BVS haveimplemented:Caring for animalsActive communicationRespecting othersExcellent serviceBVS is a multi-species, multi-site department providing services to EdinburghUniversity, which is one of the largest users of animals in research in the UKbecause of its large biomedical research programmes. In addition, plans arewell under way for Edinburgh hosting the joint IAT, LASA and LAVA conferencein 2020 with lots of animal technicians getting involved. Being so busy, we arealready planning our next, well deserved breakfast together.As we all come crashing down from the sugar rush from a week full of cakesand doughnuts, we look forward in continuing as animal technicians andproviding a dedicated service that prioritises animal welfare whilst supportingour leading research. After all, it is what we do best.Reporter: Gordon Melville

BulletinJuly 2019• 397KLV 6XPPHU   VW RI -XO\  RXU 6HQLRU $FFRXQW0DQDJHU IRU6RXWKHUQ(XURSH'DYLG 0D\R LV SODQQLQJ WR UXQWKH GLVWDQFH IURP 0LOQJDYLH WR )RUW :LOOLDP  PLOHVNPV LQ XQGHU  GD\V FDUU\LQJ DOO KLV JHDU DQG IRRG RQ KLVEDFN 2Q WKH ODVW GD\ KH ZLOO DGG D FOLPE XS WR %HQ 1HYLVZHDWKHUSHUPLWWLQJ %HFDXVH ,'(;; %LR$QDO\WLFV YDOXHV WKH LPSRUWDQFH RIDGYDQFLQJ HGXFDWLRQDQGSURPRWLQJ H[FHOOHQFHLQWKH FDUH DQGZHOIDUH RI DQLPDOV HVSHFLDOO\ WKRVH XVHG LQ VFLHQFH 'DYLG LVFRPPLWWLQJWR WKLVFKDOOHQJH DQGKDV GHFLGHG WR IXQGUDLVH IRU$6-(7 $QLPDOV LQ 6FLHQFH ± (GXFDWLRQ 7UXVW $6-(7KDVGLVWULEXWHG QHDUO\LQ JUDQWV WR VXSSRUW HGXFDWLRQDQGZHOIDUH DFWLYLWLHV 5HDG PRUH DERXW WKHLU ZRUN KHUHZZZDQLPDOVLQVFLHQFHHGXFDWLRQWUXVWRUJXN 'RQDWLQJWKURXJK-XVW*LYLQJLVVLPSOHIDVWDQGWRWDOO\VHFXUH 7RGRQDWHSOHDVHYLVLW KWWSVZZZMXVWJLYLQJFRPIXQGUDLVLQJGDYLG-PD\R 7+$1.<28)25<2856833257 'DYLG¶V:HVW+LJKODQG:D\&KDOOHQJH )XQGUDLVLQJIRU$6-(7WKURXJK-XVW*LYLQJFRP IAT Animal Technician Day 15th March 2019

Reporter: Rebecca TownsLondon Branch Tech MonthWe celebrated with a quiz, a weird and wonderful walking tourand a trip to the Zoology Museum (as reported last month).

Bulletin42 •July 2019Edinburgh Branch Skittles, a dying breed?The Edinburgh branch held the annual skittles night on 29th May at thehistoric Sheep’s Heid Inn.With a lineage going all the way back to circa 1360, when the first licenced innwas reported on that site, the Sheep’s Heid should be an essential part ofanyone’s visit to Edinburgh. Frequented by royalty throughout history, evenQueen Elizabeth II herself recently popped in for an impromptu lunch.Our Branch skittles night also has a long and amazing history. This year thougha total of 11 people attended, a mix comprising almost equally of technical andtrade personnel. A very low turnout given the number of branch members.Despite the low number everyone had a great evening and were in finecompetitive form. We were even joined briefly by a family from Alabamaexploring their Scottish roots!

BulletinJuly 2019• 43We ask ourselves thesame question everyyear though, why don’tmore technicians comealong? Historically weused to have to turnpeople away as theevent wasoversubscribed. Is it thetime of week, the venueor are there otherfactors in play thataffect people’s socialinteractions? Sadreading when youconsider that EdinburghUniversity sent 27people to this year’sCongress and they allhad a great time! Anyway, enough navel-gazing and down to theresults.We had two teamscompeting this yearwith the Alleycatsbeating the Badgers by 444 points to 280.MVP by a long shot was Douglas from Tecniplast, who won the top scoringprize.As the only female player Janice our Branch Secretary, won top scoring woman.Lowest scoring man and woman prizes were shared between Alistair from DBMand Ian from Tecniplast as the next lowest scorer.As always we would like to thank Walter from Envigo for sponsoring theevent.Keith ChalmersBranch reporter/grumpy old man

BulletinJuly 2019• 45

BulletinJuly 2019• 47Front cover: Linda Horan, the new IAT ChairDIARY Dates16-17 JulyFRAME 50th Anniversary SymposiumNottinghamDetails: https://frame.org.uk/zkevent/frame-50th-anniversary-symposium/29-31 JulyDavid Mayo Challenge on behalf of AS-ET See page 3911-16 AugustHealth and Colony Management ofLaboratory Fish Bar Habor, USADetails: https://mdibl.org/course/health-and-colony-management-of-laboratory-fish-2019/22-23 August Refinements in husbandry of ferrets andpigsGermanyDetails:https://www.fondazioneguidobernardini.org/en/programs/course-refinements-in-husbandry-of-ferrets-and-pigs.html27-28 AugustLaboratory Animal Analgesia & Anaesthesia– Theory and PracticeCopenhagenDetails:https://www.scanbur.com/Files/Images/Academy/0508.2019-Academy-Analgesia-21-22May-27-28Aug.pdf7 September Inter-Branch Fishing MatchHungerford/NewburySee page 45 25 SeptemberPain assessment and control in laboratoryanimals StevenageDetails: info@lasa.co.uk26-27 SeptemberMicrobiological Monitoring of RodentsMilanDetails:https://www.fondazioneguidobernardini.org/en/programs/course-microbiological-monitoring-of-rodents-traditional-and-innovative-approaches.html2 October NC3Rs/IAT SymposiumLondonSee page 464 OctoberSeverity and humane endpoints in fishresearchBergen, NorwayDetails:https://www.fondazioneguidobernardini.org/en/programs/course-severity-and-humane-endpoints-in-fish-research.html10-11 OctoberFocus on sever suffering – Avoidingmortality Athens, GreeceDetails:https://science.rspca.org.uk/documents/1494935/9042554/Advert+-https://www.aalas.org/national-meeting/general-information/registration+FoSS+Athens+2019.pdf/7e76bb5e-d5bb-885f-caed-199c77598a3b?t=155955458282616 and 28 OctoberAS-ET Annual LecturesLondon and ManchesterSee pages 30-3126-28 November LASA ConferenceBirminghamDetails: http://www.lasa.co.uk/meetings/13-17 October AALAS National MeetingDenver, USADetails:https://www.aalas.org/national-meeting/general-information/registration20 OctoberAS-ET Congress Competition closesSee page 29