Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Use of Laboratory Animals in Scientific Research
Course Code
LFK_006
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Medicine; Pharmacy
LQF
Level 8
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Edijs Vāvers
Structure Unit Manager
Baiba Mauriņa
Structural Unit
Department of Applied Pharmacy
Contacts
Riga, 21 Consula Street, farmkk@rsu.lv, +371 67061544
About Study Course
Objective
To introduce PhD students to the use of experimental animals in scientific research theoretical, ethical, and legal aspects. The aim of this course is to provide students with basic knowledge of the national and international regulatory legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, animal welfare, and design of animal experiments. Common laboratory animal species will be introduced, including some features of anatomy and physiology. The ethical standards, principles of the 3Rs, and alternative methods for the use of animals will be discussed.
Preliminary Knowledge
Pharmacology, physiology, biology, anatomy, chemistry.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.The acquired knowledge will allow to: • critically evaluate the suitability of the chosen methods and obtained results of research published in the scientific literature; • understand the role of animal experiments in the development of new drugs. The course will provide knowledge of the responsibility of using laboratory animals, principles of the 3Rs, and alternative methods.
Skills
1.Students will be able to: • critically analyse the scientific literature on studies related to the use of laboratory animals; • use free-access tools for experimental planning (group size calculation and randomisation) and analyse the design of the animal experiment.
Competences
1.The course will provide students with a basic knowledge of the use of laboratory animals in scientific studies and a general insight into the planning of animal experiments. Students will be able to assess the quality of the results (ethical and rational use of animals) published in the scientific literature.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
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Literature studies of the provided bibliography. Presentation of study design of animal experiment. Preparation of presentation of an alternative method to animal testing.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Examination |
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-
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Attendance of lectures and classes, completion of individual work, and passing the test.
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Legislation in the European Union on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Description
Annotation: Legislation covering the use of animals for scientific purposes in the European Union and Latvia, licences and permits required, animal protection law, the use of animals in procedures, procedures and their classification into categories according to severity, training and certification of personnel.
Literature: 1. Republic of Latvia, Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 1 "Zinātniskiem mērķiem izmantojamo dzīvnieku aizsardzības noteikumi": https://likumi.lv/ta/id/304167-zinatniskiem-merkiem-izmantojamo-dzivnieku-aizsardzibas-noteikumi
2. Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (Text with EEA relevance): ELI: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02010L0063-20190626
3. Republic of Latvia, Animal Protection Law: https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/14940-animal-protection-law
4. Republic of Latvia, The Food and Veterinary Service: https://www.pvd.gov.lv/en/partikas-un-veterinarais-dienests/statiskas-lapas/about-us?nid=2913#jump
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Legislation in the European Union on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Description
Annotation: Legislation covering the use of animals for scientific purposes in the European Union and Latvia, licences and permits required, animal protection law, the use of animals in procedures, procedures and their classification into categories according to severity, training and certification of personnel.
Literature: 1. Republic of Latvia, Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 1 "Zinātniskiem mērķiem izmantojamo dzīvnieku aizsardzības noteikumi": https://likumi.lv/ta/id/304167-zinatniskiem-merkiem-izmantojamo-dzivnieku-aizsardzibas-noteikumi
2. Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (Text with EEA relevance): ELI: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02010L0063-20190626
3. Republic of Latvia, Animal Protection Law: https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/14940-animal-protection-law
4. Republic of Latvia, The Food and Veterinary Service: https://www.pvd.gov.lv/en/partikas-un-veterinarais-dienests/statiskas-lapas/about-us?nid=2913#jump
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Biology and healthcare of laboratory animals.
Description
Annotation: Animal housing, breeding, transportation, healthcare and surveillance. Health risks and safety rules when working with laboratory animals. Laboratory animal diseases, health control and disease prevention, hygiene requirements, quarantine, disinfection. The impact of animal diseases on the study results. Anesthesia, analgesia and euthanasia.
Literature: 1. Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine An Introduction 5th Edition by Lesley A. Colby; Megan H. Nowland; Lucy H. Kennedy. Wiley-Blackwell, 2019; 74-164.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Biology and healthcare of laboratory animals.
Description
Annotation: Animal housing, breeding, transportation, healthcare and surveillance. Health risks and safety rules when working with laboratory animals. Laboratory animal diseases, health control and disease prevention, hygiene requirements, quarantine, disinfection. The impact of animal diseases on the study results. Anesthesia, analgesia and euthanasia.
Literature: 1. Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine An Introduction 5th Edition by Lesley A. Colby; Megan H. Nowland; Lucy H. Kennedy. Wiley-Blackwell, 2019; 74-164.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Experimental design and implementation.
Description
Annotation: Choice of an animal model, study protocol and experimental design, number of animals used, validity, reliability, and replicability, analysis and interpretation of the data, and translation to humans.
Topics covered during the class: Design of animal experiment.
Literature: 1. The Experimental Design Assistant: https://eda.nc3rs.org.uk/
2. G*Power, a free-to use software for the calculation of statistical power: https://www.psychologie.hhu.de/en/research-teams/cognitive-and-industrial-psychology/gpower.html
3. Interactive and short course on experimental design: http://www.3rs-reduction.co.uk/index.html
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Experimental design and implementation.
Description
Annotation: Choice of an animal model, study protocol and experimental design, number of animals used, validity, reliability, and replicability, analysis and interpretation of the data, and translation to humans.
Topics covered during the class: Design of animal experiment.
Literature: 1. The Experimental Design Assistant: https://eda.nc3rs.org.uk/
2. G*Power, a free-to use software for the calculation of statistical power: https://www.psychologie.hhu.de/en/research-teams/cognitive-and-industrial-psychology/gpower.html
3. Interactive and short course on experimental design: http://www.3rs-reduction.co.uk/index.html
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Ethics and use of laboratory animals.
Description
Annotation: Arguments for and against the use of animals, animal ethics committees. The principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).
Topics covered during the class: Alternatives to animal testing.
Literature: 1. The 3Rs: https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/the-3rs
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
|
Ethics and use of laboratory animals.
Description
Annotation: Arguments for and against the use of animals, animal ethics committees. The principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).
Topics covered during the class: Alternatives to animal testing.
Literature: 1. The 3Rs: https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/the-3rs
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Ministru kabineta 2019. gada 8. janvāra noteikumi Nr. 1 "Zinātniskiem mērķiem izmantojamo dzīvnieku aizsardzības noteikumi"
2.
PREPARE (Planning Research and Experimental Procedures on Animals: Recommendations for Excellence) vadlīnijas un pieturpunkti
3.
Percie du Sert N., Hurst V., Ahluwalia A., et al. The ARRIVE guidelines 2.0: Updated guidelines for reporting animal research. BMC Vet Res. 2020;16(1):242. Published 2020 Jul 14. doi:10.1186/s12917-020-02451-y
4.
Eksperimenta dizaina plānošanas asistents
Additional Reading
1.
Norecopa
2.
ARRIVE vadlīnijas
3.
Interaktīvs īsais kurss par eksperimentālo dizainu
Other Information Sources
1.
LabAnimal žurnāls
2.
Laboratory Animals žurnāls