BRF Update February 2019
We have had a relatively quiet start to the year which has been great for us in getting a few projects organised. I hope everyone had an enjoyable long weekend.
BRF new staff members – Aimee Scott and Jacqui Edwards
I would like to welcome Aimee and Jacqui to the team. Aimee has just started with us as a full time HEW 4 technician with the experimental team – she is an experienced technician from Victor Chang in Sydney. Jacqui Edwards has been appointed to a full time role mainly based in the breeding wing, she is also an experienced technician from Australian Biological Resources in Moss Vale.
Updated BRF staff list for animal ethics
The current list of BRF staff for animal ethics has been updated and can be found on the intranet here: https://www.tri.edu.au/intranet/animal-ethics. If you utilise BRF technical services currently or in the foreseeable future please ensure that you update your ethics approval accordingly, or we may be limited in what services we can provide to you.
UQ Animal Ethics closing dates for submissions
Please note that the closing dates for submissions are now 2 weeks prior to the next AEC meeting – the next one is Thursday 7th February. For a full list please see the AWU website here:
http://www.uq.edu.au/research/integrity-compliance/animal-closing-dates
PPMS for technical bookings
Thank you to everyone who has started using PPMS and given us feedback. Just a reminder that instructions on how to make bookings can be found on the BRF Intranet:
https://www.tri.edu.au/intranet/brf-technical-services
Karen is also very willing to go through this with people for their first bookings.
As of today all bookings will need to be made via PPMS. Please continue to give us feedback so that we can refine the setup further.
If this is not possible for you to book services via PPMS any reason please let us know as we will be able to manage the bookings for you, this may incur an administrative fee depending on the circumstance.
Pooling of animals prior to euthanasia
Some queries were raised about the appropriate practices of whether or not animals could be pooled immediately prior to humane killing by CO2. The guidelines and signs have been updated in the facility. Animals should be humanely killed in their home cages wherever possible. Male animals must not be combined due to the high likelihood of fighting. Up to ten female animals can be pooled into one cage but this cage should be a new one (spare clean cages are found in the corridor). If this cage is to be re-used then it must be sprayed and wiped out with disinfectant before each batch of animals, to remove smells that may cause distress to the animals.
Hmgcs2 KO mice
I have attached an enquiry that was sent out to the laboratory animal industry about these lines being available to anyone interested. They are otherwise due to be discontinued shortly. If you are interested please contact Maya whose contact details are in the attachment.
As always, please let us know if you have any queries or concerns.
