BRF Update October 2019

September was a busy month and we’re on the final dash until the end of the year!

Please read on for a few important updates:

Spare NSG animals (~100)

Unfortunately the lab who owns these animals is no longer able to use them – if anyone can make use of them and has ethics approval for NSGs please email [email protected] ASAP. A list with the details of the animals is attached.

End of year shutdown dates

Please note the following dates and plan projects accordingly. The BRF have to do additional work in the weeks before/after the shutdown to minimise the husbandry required during this period, hence the limited availability and increased charges to minimise bookings.

CO2 timer in necropsy room 1073

There have been issues noted with the CO2 trigger being left taped on which is a WHS risk and may also waste the building’s CO2 supplies. A CO2 timer will be placed into this room and instructions are attached (and will be provided in the room). This timer will ensure automatic shutoff of CO2 flow after 3 mins if used correctly. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries at all.

Virkon to be replaced with F10

A couple of internal informal studies have shown that the Virkon disinfectant we use is not as effective as some other common options available. It is also relatively expensive and has to be made up fresh on a weekly basis, creating extra labour and wastage of product. There are also currently some supply issues with Virkon, so we are planning to switch from Virkon to F10 as one of our main disinfectant options (ethanol will also still be available). F10 is commonly used in a number of other laboratory animal facilities.

It should be noted that I have been advised that some concerns were raised a number of years ago with F10 due to this paper:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4260154/

However, I do think there are a number of points that mean these results probably will not apply to TRI, including:

• The facility was using microisolator cages compared to IVCs at TRI

• A high quantity of disinfectant was used to fog the facility to address a pinworm outbreak, or used to clean the walls, floors, footwear, cages and racks (we would mainly be using it for general work area and hand disinfection)

• The experiment determined a dose level (delivered via food, which we would not be doing) that was toxic/reduced reproduction. Effects after ambient exposure were seen with the agent being used in the facility, but the details of the activities defining ‘ambient exposure’ were not provided and at TRI the real exposure/dose would be just from disinfection of work areas

• We do not have equivalent data on the effect of using Virkon on mouse reproduction

We will trial F10 in one breeding room initially just to see if there are any noticeable effects and I am happy to discuss this in detail with anyone who may have queries.

New database implementation

The implementation planning for the new database is finally underway – the new system will be Mosaic by Virtual Chemistry. This database is used by another major university in Australia (and potentially more with the discontinuation of the Genotrack system). Planning is ongoing to develop training materials, test the new system and equipment and work out the best way to move data from the old system to the new. The BRF will be in touch over the coming weeks/months to organise trials and training with researchers accordingly. The annual reports are being prepared for 2019 by UQBR so that researchers will not have to generate these from Genotrack. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any queries or concerns in the meantime. The aim is to have completed data migration by the end of the year.

As always, please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any queries or concerns.

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