BRF UPDATE - JUNE (2) 2019
Upcoming events/activities
Duo talk – Forbes and UQBR: The Search to prevent diabetic kidney disease – 2pm Thursday 20th June TRI Seminar Room 2004 (tomorrow)
Mitchell Sullivan (on behalf of Professor Josephine Forbes) and UQBR Animal Technical Officer Jason Zahra will be giving a combined presentation on Professor Forbes’ work on kidney disease, highlighting the role that the TRI BRF team played in performing the animal work for a recent project. A calendar invite is attached to this email – we hope to see you there!
The future of animal research at UQ - Researcher Feedback session for TRI/PACE – 28th June 11-12.30pm (next week)
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF ANIMAL RESEARCH AT UQ? OPINIONS AND FEEDBACK WANTED!
UQ has engaged OmniAdvisory consulting to evaluate the current and future needs of animal research at UQ. These sessions are an opportunity to have your say at a series of workshops. This will position the university to provide cutting edge animal services support while ensuring the provision of the highest level of animal welfare. Omni advisory want to know what you think about:
* What animal research will look like in the future?
* What are the strengths of the current animal services now?
* Where are the opportunities?
* What would you like to see?
Friday 28th June – 11-12.30pm, TRI Seminar Room 2003 Researchers feedback session for TRI/PACE – a calendar invite is attached to this email.
To RSVP, or if you are unable to attend the above session (others available upon enquiry) and/or would like to give individual feedback then please email either of;
Dr Tim Dyke [email protected]
Dr Gordon McGurk [email protected]
Professor Paul Flecknell webinars – further details TBA
Monday 8/7/2019- Webinar 2: Harm- Benefit and Refinements
Monday 16/9/2019-Webinar 3: Animal Monitoring
Both Webinars will be from 3.45- 5.15 pm
New bedding supplier
We are switching to a new bedding supplier – the product is the same as our existing bedding (1/4 inch corncob) and was trialled in the facility (half of the cages received the bedding) in February this year with no reported issues. The bedding was reported to be less dusty and evaluation of the quality testing results indicate that it is likely to have even lower levels of undesirable chemicals/contaminants. This bedding is used by a number of other major facilities in Australia so we do not expect any issues but please let us know if you notice anything or have any concerns.
Cross River Rail construction
As many people may be aware there will be construction over the coming years in the nearby area as part of the Cross River Rail project. There is a small possibility that noise and vibration from this project may have an impact on the animals (typically breeding performance) in the BRF. We will be developing a plan to monitor any noise/vibrations and to minimise any impacts – these issues have been successfully managed before in other facilities. If you have any lines that are particularly valuable and not cryopreserved however, this is recommended – please contact the BRF for further advice. UQ researchers may wish to note that mouse sperm cryopreservation is free with TASQ, and the BRF and TASQ can provide advice on other options as well:
