Lab Rat Chat: Recent Episodes
Lab Rat Chat
A podcast dedicated to providing an accurate and alternate narrative to the public regarding the necessity of humane and ethical animal research. Lab Rat Chat was made possible through the Michael D. Hayre Fellowship in Public Outreach, which is sponsored by the biomedical research advocacy group Americans for Medical Progress.
Hold onto your lab coats as we delve into the astonishing medic skills of the Matabelle ants and their natural antibiotics, a discovery with implications that could ripple through human healthcare. We'll chuckle together at AI's attempts at artistic genius and its more practical uses in the operating room, and then ponder the ethical maze surrounding a pioneering pig liver medical procedure.
Allergies got you sniffling? We've got the scoop on how nanoparticles might be the game-changer we've been sneezing for, thanks to groundbreaking research from Northwestern University. While we're at it, let's not forget about the superhero in the room: breast milk. Discover how this liquid gold is rewriting the rulebook on infant immunity. Prepare to be both enlightened and entertained as we merge cutting-edge science with hearty humor throughout our latest episode.
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Resources & Links:
- These Ants Can Diagnose and Treat Their Comrades' Infected Wounds | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine
- An experiment shows how pigs might one day help people with liver failure | AP News
- Mouse Study Hints at New, Safe Way to Counter Allergies (usnews.com)
- Study In Mice Uncovers New Protective Benefit of Breast Milk | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health (jhu.edu)
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Ever felt curious about the behind-the-scenes of animal research and the fascinating technologies being leveraged? Well, strap in as we embark on an enlightening journey, unveiling the intriguing world of animal research and its advancements through the lens of CRISPR-Cas9. We're discussing how a team at the University of Basel is revolutionizing gene-editing to minimize the use of mice in muscle disease studies.
Our discussion doesn't stop at gene editing! We dive into the nitty-gritty of how Harvard Medical School researchers are utilizing cells to control excessive muscle inflammation. We'll unpack how this could potentially assist elderly individuals in maintaining endurance and muscle tone for longer. We spice it up a notch with a captivating study showcasing how rats are trained to visualize routes and tasks in a virtual reality environment. We're not just discussing the science, we're exploring its fascinating implications on animal behavior and focus.
We conclude on a thrilling note, calling out to our listeners for exciting future guest suggestions and more engaging content. Keep your ears open for news about giveaways and bonus content.
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Resources & Links:
- Win-win in muscle research: Faster results and fewer laboratory animals thanks to new method | ScienceDaily
- Immune Cells Control Mouse Muscle Inflammation During Exercise | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Can rats 'imagine'? Rodents show signs of imagination while playing VR games | Live Science
- Want the secret to less painful belly flops? These researchers have the answer | ScienceDaily
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
Ever wondered if taurine could be the secret to longevity and health span? We got curious and decided to investigate. With insights from animal studies, we explore if taurine could help combat obesity, inflammation, blood pressure, and type two diabetes.
Brace yourselves as we step into the future of medical technology, celebrating the astonishing strides made in organ transplants. From its history to the success of the two most recent transplants, we unpack it all. And just when you thought it couldn't get any more fascinating, we talk about the potential use of viruses found in animal poop in treating diabetic foot ulcers. Buckle up for this thrilling journey, and don't forget to connect with us on social media for more exciting content. Thanks for listening, and we promise to be back with more episodes soon!
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Resources & Links:
- Taurine may help slow the aging process, new animal study shows (medicalnewstoday.com)
- Viruses Found in Animal Poop May One Day Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Scientists Say (msn.com)
- Monkey survives for two years after gene-edited pig-kidney transplant (nature.com)
- Pregnancy hormones can make lasting changes to brains, lab mouse study shows : Shots - Health News : NPR
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Get ready to embark on a fascinating scientific journey with our esteemed guest, Dr. Ben Wiley. We know you're curious about his career journey, his cutting-edge work in sarcoma research, and his innovative approach towards cancer treatment. So, we promise you an enlightening conversation that is sure to feed your curiosity and inspire your scientific spirit.
In the first part of our conversation, Dr. Wiley takes us through his journey, from his childhood fascination with the natural world to his current role in cancer research at the Telethon Kids Institute. He opens up about his career transitions, his love for academic research, and the critical work his team is doing in pediatric sarcoma to utilize a biodegradable material to deliver immunotherapy during surgery. This approach, which targets invisible micrometastatic disease left behind during surgery, could potentially transform the landscape of post-surgical cancer treatment.
The conversation takes an exciting turn towards veterinary research and the canine clinical trials to test the efficacy of their immunotherapy gel in dogs diagnosed with sarcoma. We discuss what hopes to be very promising results from this trial and how it can hopefully be translated into the human world. Stay tuned, and prepare for a thought-provoking ride into the world of scientific innovation.
Our paper on the gel-immunotherapy in mouse models:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37467718/
Our lab group/institutional page:
https://www.telethonkids.org.au/our-research/chronic-and-severe-diseases/cancer/sarcoma-group/
A news article published last year by our public broadcaster on the canine trial:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-13/clinical-trial-tests-sarcoma-gel-treament-in-dogs/101648314
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- New birth control injection for female cats
- Making experiments more natural to better understand the brain
- Wound healing ink and 3D-printed applicator pens
- Potential cause of chronic pain associated with long COVID
Links to all these stories can be found below
In this episode, we also tackle topics from tornadoes to termites and share our personal experiences with these natural disasters and the chaos that sometimes ensues. Don't miss out on this fascinating and fun-filled conversation!
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Resources & Links:
- Scientists Develop New Birth Control for Female Cats—No Surgery Necessary | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine
- Lab mice go wild: making experiments more natural in order to decode the brain (nature.com)
- PAINTing a wound-healing ink into cuts with a 3D-printing pen - American Chemical Society (acs.org)
- Preclinical Research Deciphers the Roots of Chronic Pain in Long COVID | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
What if psychedelics could hold the key to improving mental health? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Alejandro Torrado-Pacheco, a postdoc from Oregon Health Sciences University, as we journey through the world of psychedelics and their potential therapeutic applications. Alejandro shares his unique background, from growing up in Europe and studying physics, to ultimately transitioning into neuroscience and then behavioral neuroscience. We also learn about his current research in Dr. Bita Moghaddam's lab, which focuses on the fascinating potential of psychedelics to enhance mental well-being.
Dr. Torrado-Pacheco provides valuable insights into the history of psychedelics, the importance of set and setting for these experiences, and how animal research can help us better understand their biological mechanisms. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the potential therapeutic benefits of these fascinating compounds and how they could reshape our understanding of mental health treatment in the near future.
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
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Resources & Links:
- Moghaddam Laboratory – Oregon Health & Science University
- Acute psilocybin enhances cognitive flexibility in rats | Neuropsychopharmacology (nature.com)
- MAPS.org - Support Psychedelic Science - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - MAPS
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- The rapid evolution of the dogs of Chernobyl
- A mouse study that correlates nose picking with Alzheimer's
- How hibernating bears, pigs in small enclosures, and immobile humans avoid blood clots
- The quest to save the bees using robotic bees and artificial intelligence
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Resources & Links:
- Dogs in Chernobyl are evolving faster, new study claims (yahoo.com)
- Mouse Study Suggests an Unexpected Link Between Nose-Picking And Alzheimer's : ScienceAlert
- Humans, and piglets, and bears, oh my! Preventing dangerous blood clots -- ScienceDaily
- Robotic bees and roots offer hope of healthier environment and sufficient food (phys.org)
Support the showFollow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
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https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- March is National Kidney Month!
- How NAD+ and NMN can slow, stop, and even reverse kidney disease
- Scientists have been able to create mice from the cells of two male mice
- Did you know beetles mainly absorb water from their butts?
- Superb Fairy Wrens and their willingness to fight for their friends and family
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Resources & Links:
- NAD+ and NMN: Can They Help for Kidney Health and Disease Treatment? | HealthNews
- Scientists create mice with cells from 2 males for 1st time (msn.com)
- Beetles suck water into their butts to stay hydrated, and now scientists know how | Live Science
- These Tiny Birds Get By With A Little Help From Their Friends (forbes.com)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are professionally edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the showFollow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 32 with Dr. Jodi Salinsky
In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle chat with Jodi Salinksy, DVM, Animal Welfare Officer for the University of Auckland, New Zealand. We're thrilled to finally talk with someone from New Zealand to be able to compare and contrast some of the similarities and differences regarding animal research in that part of the world.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Salinksky's extensive and impressive background and her journey to get where she's at in her career today.
- Some of the laws and regulations surrounding animal research in New Zealand and how it compares to the United States.
- The Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand, established in 2021.
- Public perception of animal research in New Zealand
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!
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Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
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Resources & Links:
- Openness Agreement | ANZCCART
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
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https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Monogamous prairie voles - Happy Valentine's day!
- How freezing hibernating frogs might one day save humanity
- A discussion about the FDA Modernization Act
- February is American Heart Awareness month, so of course we talk about new research to repair scar tissue in the heart
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Resources & Links:
Monogamous Prairie Voles:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/01/27/1152009605/prairie-voles-oxytocin-love-hormone-bonding-study
FDA Modernization Act:
https://www.science.org/content/article/fda-no-longer-needs-require-animal-tests-human-drug-trials
Freezing Hibernating Frogs:https://www.manisteenews.com/news/article/Wildlife-Wednesday-This-Michigan-frog-could-help-17722836.php
Heart Scar Tissue Repair Story:
https://newatlas.com/medical/tropoelastin-injection-heart-scar-tissue/
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are professionally edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 31 with Erin Vogelsong
In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle chat with Erin Vogelsong, MS, Program Director of Drexel University's Master of Laboratory Animal Science program.
Special Live Webinar Announcement - February 1st @ 12pm EST:
In celebration of International Laboratory Animal Technician Week, Drexel University is hosting a webinar Bringing the Magic Through Podcasting: A Behind the Scenes Look Into the Lab Rat Chat Podcast. The webinar will feature Danielle Dady and Jeff Marshall, the hosts of Lab Rat Chat, and will give participants an inside look into the magic that goes into creating each and every episode. Tune in to learn more about the hosts, why Lab Rat Chat was created, the insider scoop on Jeff and Danielle’s favorite episodes, some of the mistakes made and lessons learned, and what to expect from Lab Rat Chat in the future. Visit Online.Drexel.Edu/LabRatChat to register.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Erin's extensive and impressive background and her journey to get where he's at in her career today.
- Some history and facts about Drexel's Master of Laboratory Animal Science program
- Why anyone out there should consider advancing their education through this program and the potential benefits of doing so.
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!
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Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
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Resources & Links:
- Master of Laboratory Animal Science MLAS - Drexel University College of Medicine
- Drexel University Online | Drexel Online
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 30 with Dr. Agnès Lacreuse
In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle chat with Dr. Agnès Lacreuse, PhD, who is a researcher at the University of Massachusetts in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Department.
She utilizes nonhuman primates in her research in order to better understand neurocognitive aging and pathological aging processes, such as those involved in Alzheimer's disease. Two-thirds of Alzheimer's disease cases in humans are women. 2/3 of AD cases in humans are women. For this reason, we also aim to understand how changes in sex hormones, especially estrogens, affect brain and cognitive aging in females.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Lacreuse's extensive and impressive background and her journey to get where he's at in her career today.
- What Alzheimer's disease is, who is primarily affected, how it develops, and the estimated number of people living with the disease in the United States.
- Why nonhuman primates, particularly Marmosets, are best suited to study Alzheimer's compared to rodents, and why alternative models (e.g., organs on a chip, computer models, etc.) are not viable options.
- The future application of her research on the human population and what it means for those predisposed or already suffering from the devastating effects of Alzheimer's.
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!
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Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
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Resources & Links:
- Animal models of Alzheimer’s disease embrace diversity | Lab Animal (nature.com)
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- How mice, and many other species, benefit from having fat in their bodies.
- Needless jet injection technology?!
- Reviving organs in pigs HOURS after death
- Why elephants don't get cancer - we bet you've never even thought about this but it's quite incredible
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Resources & Links:
Benefits of Fat in the Body Story:
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/how-fat-cells-help-kick-parasites-out-of-mice-study-70627
Needleless Jet Injection Story:
https://www.biospace.com/article/on-the-horizon-needle-free-vaccination-could-offer-better-protection-and-access-/
Reviving Pig Organs After Death Story:https://www.science.org/content/article/pig-organs-revived-1-hour-after-animals-death
Elephants and Cancer Story: https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2022/10/23/2130664/-Top-Comments-Elephants-Rarely-Get-Cancer-Why
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are professionally edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Kinda Baboons and how their social structure affects their development
- How whale brains are protected through their special blood vessels
- Testosterone - a cuddling hormone?!
- Dogs and their ability to smell when we're stressed out
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
Resources & Links:
- Study: Baby Kinda baboons become independent faster if moms are social, dominant (phys.org)
- Study Finds That Testosterone Promotes “Cuddling” (scitechdaily.com)
- Clumps of blood vessels protect dolphin and whale brains during dives | Science News
- Dogs can smell when we're stressed out, a new study shows (nbcnews.com)
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 29 with Dr. Kyle Flippo
In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff chats with Dr. Kyle Flippo, PhD, who is a postdoc in the University of Iowa Neuroscience and Pharmacology Department. He studies the role of endocrine signaling in the CNS in regulating metabolism, amongst other things. One of his current research projects has explored the role of a hormone (FGF21) in suppressing alcohol consumption in monkeys. Not only is this promising for providing a treatment for alcohol use disorders, they've also found this hormone plays a major role in reducing sugar intake as well. This research is really groundbreaking stuff and thankfully we have scientists out there like Dr. Flippo who works compassionately with laboratory animals to make these sorts of discoveries.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Flippo's extensive and impressive background and his journey to get where he's at in her career today.
- The prevalence of alcoholism in the United States and why Dr. Flippo decided to pursue this area of research.
- Why vervet monkeys are best suited to study alcohol addiction compared to rodents and why alternative models (e.g., organs on a chip, computer models, etc.) are not viable options.
- The future application of this research on the human population
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Resources & Links:
- A Molecule Tested in Higher Primates Reduced Alcohol Consumption By Half | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (bbrfoundation.org)
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Zombie spiders - not quite as horrifying as it sounds
- Regeneration and restoration of heart cells in mice
- mRNA cancer vaccine development
- A pacemaker implanted into a mini-donkey
- An update on the rare colorful lobster news stories
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
Resources & Links:
- Scientists created 'zombie' spiders — and people are freaking out: 'So f--ked up' (nypost.com)
- New Technology Repairs and Regenerates Heart Cells After a Heart Attack (scitechdaily.com)
- mRNA Cancer Vaccine Elicits T Cell Response and Eliminates Tumors in Mice (genengnews.com)
- Mini donkey successfully receives pacemaker to manage fatal heart condition (dvm360.com)
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 28 with Dr. Amanda Vanderplow
In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and Jeff chat with Dr. Amanda Vanderplow, a PhD research scientist in the Cahill Lab of Neuroscience Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She studies dendritic spine plasticity and how synaptic alterations contribute to neuropsychiatric disorders. In other words, she much smarter than the rest of us. One of her current research projects discovers a potential link between sleep apnea and autism-like behaviors. This could be one of those breakthrough discoveries that allows us to prevent and/or reduce the rising prevalence of autism-like behaviors in society today, and we have Dr. Vanderplow, her team, and her rats, to thank for discovering this link.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Vanderplow's extensive and impressive background and her journey to get where she's at in her career today.
- What sleep apnea is and how prevalent the disorder is in society; the numbers will shock you.
- How a rat sleep apnea model was developed and how the data regarding autism-like behaviors in animals translate into the human world.
- The future application of this research and her recent discoveries
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Resources & Links:
- Cahill Lab of Neuroscience Research – UW–Madison (wisc.edu)
- Mothers' sleep apnea may increase risk of autism-like changes in their male offspring (medicalxpress.com)
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- A promising new drug to prevent and slow the progression of Parkinson's disease
- Pain relief in the form of implantable nerve cooling devices
- How sound and music can reduce both chronic and acute pain
- Danielle's true calling in life, creating tiny adorable mouse villages
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
Resources & Links:
- New potential drug for Parkinson's - https://www.science.org/content/article/experimental-drug-targets-early-stages-parkinson-s
- Nerve cooling pain relief story - https://www.aaas.org/news/miniature-implantable-nerve-coolers-enable-targeted-pain-relief?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D41208732208569100191553672894342571103%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1658425655
- Sound and pain relief - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220524100557.htm
- Anonymous miniature mouse displays - https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/22/metro/swedish-art-group-anonymouse-installs-detailed-miniature-displays-around-boston/
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- The ability of animals to detect harsh speaking tones
- Bats and echolocation
- First-ever study showing that headbutting animals can and do suffer from traumatic brain injuries
- A new incredible imaging technology to image the middle and inner ear
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
Resources & Links:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries and Headbutting Animals Story - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/head-cases-horned-animals-damage-their-brains-head-butting-each-other-say-scientists-1708397%3famp=1
- Middle Ear Imaging Technology Story - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphot.2022.929574/full
- Animals Interpretating Harsh Speaking Tones Story - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220524100557.htm
- Bats and Echolocation Story - https://neuroscience.ucdavis.edu/news/bat-brains-organized-echolocation-and-flight
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
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Lab Rat Chat - Episode 27 with Dr. Christine Lattin
In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and Jeff chat with Dr. Christine Lattin, an assistant professor at Louisiana State University. She conducts incredible research using birds as a model to help our understanding of stress and how different neurotransmitters and hormones help wild animals successfully cope with challenges, from predators to disease. Dr. Lattin's research will advance our understanding of how these hormone and neurotransmitter pathways work in humans as the pathways are very similar amongst all vertebrae species. We also discuss an extensive and uncalled-for attack campaign by PETA on Dr. Lattin's research and personal life and how she's been able to continue to thrive and overcome these challenges.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Lattin's extensive and impressive background and her journey to get where she's at in her career today.
- Why and how birds are a critical model to use in order to understand her research interests.
- The future application of her research using birds and how it will be able to benefit humans and society.
- Why her research has been targeted by PETA, the extensive amount of work and money PETA has spent attacking her and her research, and how she's been able to adapt and overcome.
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Resources & Links:
- What Makes Some More Afraid of Change than Others? (lsu.edu)
- LSU Biologist Examines Animal Resilience To Stress
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Ticking time bombs within our cells may determine when we die
- The ability of simple mosquito brains to detect humans
- An update on the first-ever pig to human heart transplant
- A potential vaccine for Alzheimer's disease which has shown promise in mice
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- Ticking time bombs of DNA mutation may dictate when animals die | Live Science
- Mosquito brains encode unique features of human odour to drive host seeking | Nature
- Porcine Virus May Have Led to the Death of First-Ever Pig Heart Transplant Patient | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine
- Study preserves memory in mice, offering promising new basis for active immunization against Alzheimer's disease -- ScienceDaily
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- How scientists have figured out a way to interpret pig grunts to reveal their emotions
- Jeff's lack of ability to pay attention to prior News Bite stories and re-tell a story from January about osteoarthritis (but, as a man with 4 kids, just happens to be able to make-up for it by having an additional story regarding male contraceptive research on hand and ready to go)
- The first ever genetic model of down syndrome in rats
- The mystifying way boa constrictors are able to breathe while squeezing their prey
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- Researchers Figure Out How to Interpret Pig Grunts as Pig Emotions - CNET
- The pill for men: Mice study shows 99% effectiveness (medicalnewstoday.com)
- To be thorough - Jeff's repeated story: Implant zaps the inside of the knee joint to stimulate the growth of cartilage | Daily Mail Online
- Scientists Create Novel Genetic Model of Down Syndrome in Rats (hopkinsmedicine.org)
- How Boa Constrictors Breathe While Squeezing the Life Out of Their Prey | Science| Smithsonian Magazine
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- A new way to treat bacterial pneumonia in mice without using antibiotics
- Chimpanzees catching insects and using them to treat their wounds
- Paralyzed men able to walk again following spinal implant
- Regenerating frog legs and the possibility of one day growing human limbs for amputees
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- 3 paralyzed men can walk again after getting electrode implant | Live Science
- Chimpanzees Appear to Use Insects to Treat Their Wounds | Smart News | Smithsonian Magazine
- Researchers target a mouse’s own cells, rather than using antibiotics, to treat pneumonia -- ScienceDaily
- Frogs regrow amputated legs in breakthrough experiment | Live Science
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 26 with Dr. Roy Taylor
In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and Jeff chat with Dr. Roy Taylor, a physician and author, who is currently the Director of Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre at Newcastle University. He has been conducting research on type 2 diabetes since 1978 and in 2011, Taylor showed that the disease was a simple, reversible condition of excess fat within the liver and pancreas. Taylor developed the system now used throughout the United Kingdom for screening for diabetic eye disease, which has resulted in a major reduction in blindness due to diabetes across the UK. He is the author of Life Without Diabetes, a popular guide to understanding and reversing type 2 diabetes and achieving lasting remission (link below).
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Taylor’s extensive and impressive background as a physician and scientist.
- What diabetes is and the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
- How the use of animals in his early research was crucial in order to understand the disease process.
- The role of physicians in not only managing their patients through the use of medicine, but in ways to prevent and/or cure their condition through diet and exercise.
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Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
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Resources & Links:
- Dr. Taylor’s Book: Life Without Diabetes: The Definitive Guide to Understanding and Reversing Type 2 Diabetes
- Reversing Type 2 Diabetes - Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre - Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- A new type of vaccine to combat addiction, specifically opioid addictions
- The first ever pig to human heart transplant
- Goldfish being able to drive
- The possibility to one day regrow human knee cartilage thanks to rabbits in research
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- To fight opioid crisis, UW researchers take new shot at developing vaccine against addictive drugs | The Spokesman-Review
- Man gets genetically-modified pig heart in world-first transplant - BBC News
- Watch This Goldfish Drive an Aquarium on Wheels | Smart News | Smithsonian Magazine
- Knee cartilage regrown in rabbits using electric nanomaterial - BBC Science Focus Magazine
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- A new therapy utilizing "dancing molecules" to offer a potential cure for paralysis
- mRNA vaccine technology is being used to develop a vaccine for Lyme disease
- A grape seed extract component may be able to help us live longer and healthier lives
- Masks made of ostrich feathers that glow when in contact with SARS-CoV-2.
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- ‘Dancing molecules’ successfully repair severe spinal cord injuries - Northwestern Now
- Yale researchers develop mRNA-based lyme disease vaccine - Yale Daily News
- Grape seed extract may have anti-aging properties (medicalnewstoday.com)
- Scientists use ostrich cells to create masks that glow when they detect COVID-19 | KFOR.com Oklahoma City
- Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 25 with Lindsay Bader
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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and Jeff chat with Lindsay Bader, who is a Senior Research Associate at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. Lindsay has a ton of hands-on experience working with many different species of monkeys . She's been deeply involved in the research as well the animal care and husbandry components that go along with it, and has a wealth of information to share about what it's like working with monkeys in laboratory environments.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Lindsay's extensive and impressive background working with monkeys in research settings.
- The types of research that goes on at the Oregon National Primate Research Center and the types of animals they have.
- How and why enrichment is so important, especially when working specifically with monkeys in research.
- The many complexities that are involved in trying to house compatible groups of monkeys together.
- The impacts certain activities, such as feeding animals treats that are on restricted or controlled diets, can have on research data.
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Resources & Links:
Caring for Our Animals | OHSU
Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we discuss a new method to treat aggressive forms of breast cancer.
- A new molecule that can act as a 'Trojan horse' for cancer cells - activated by light and destroying the cell, while leaving healthy cells unaffected.
- The first ever pig to human kidney transplant - a huge milestone!
- The best tardigrade (aka water bear or moss piglet) fossil to ever be found and where you can go see it for yourself.
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- Scientists identify a new method to treat triple-negative breast cancer (news-medical.net)
- Photoactivatable Metabolic Warheads: Light-Sensitive Drug Acts As Trojan Horse to Kill Cancer Cells (scitechdaily.com)
- A pig kidney has been transplanted into a human successfully for the first time : NPR
- Fossilized Tardigrade Trapped in Amber Found in the Dominican Republic (businessinsider.com)
- Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- A dissolvable pacemaker that has some really awesome applications for human medicine
- A new compound that has been shown to eliminate up to 100% of breast cancer cells in mice
- Turtles hunting baby birds (yes, you read that correctly)
- Danielle's dog, Moose, and all of his recent issues
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- Researchers create snake-venom-derived 'super glue' that stops bleeding in seconds using visible light (phys.org)
- New approach eradicates breast cancer in mice | Illinois
- ‘Totally surprising and rather horrifying’: Giant tortoises eat baby birds | The Seattle Times
- Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 24 with J. Preston Van Hooser
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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Logan and Jeff chat with Preston Van Hooser, who is a Review Scientist and Compliance Manager at the University of Washington (UW) who has worked to protect the integrity and excellence of vertebrate animal research and teaching. Preston has developed and implemented UW’s first compassion fatigue program called Dare 2 Care. The goal of this program is to provide those working in the field of biomedical research with the tools they need to mitigate and combat compassion fatigue.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Preston’s extensive and impressive background as a successful research scientist
- How and why Preston transitioned from a successful research career into focusing on compassion fatigue and the people who have dedicated themselves to a career within biomedical research
- The mission of the Dare 2 Care program and how everyone across the globe can benefit from this incredible program
- Some of the special projects the Dare 2 Care program has initiated and how these programs have directly impacted many laboratory animal professionals
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https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
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Resources & Links:
COMPASSION IN SCIENCE (uw.edu)
The North American 3Rs Collaborative – Refine. Reduce. Replace. (na3rsc.org)
Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- How snake venom has been used to create a new medical “super-glue”
- Naked mole rats and their role in potentially holding the answers to cancer and aging
- The six newest species discovered in 2021 (spoiler alert: one is a plant).
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
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Resources & Links:
- Researchers create snake-venom-derived 'super glue' that stops bleeding in seconds using visible light (phys.org)
- Could naked mole rats hold key to curing cancer and dementia? Researchers say rodent has unique DNA repair mechanism -- ScienceDaily
- Say Hello to the 6 Newest Species of 2021 | Sierra Club
- Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 23 with Dr. Cindy Buckmaster
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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Logan and Jeff chat with Cindy Buckmaster, who has been involved in the field of laboratory animal science for over 25 years. She is involved in educational and public outreach organizations while frequently speaking to the media because of her in-depth knowledge and passion for research animals and laboratory animal care. Dr. Buckmaster has recently started her own podcast, GetReal! to continue her mission of advocating on the behalf of lab animals. After listening to this episode and hearing what her podcast is all about and her passion for what she does, you’ll be very intrigued to go check out GetReal!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Buckmaster’s background and the path she has taken to become a spokesperson for the care and welfare of laboratory animals
- Why Cindy believes public outreach and advocacy is so important to the field of laboratory animal science
- What GetReal! is all about and some details of what listeners can expect to learn while listening
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https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
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Resources & Links:
GetReal! about animal research (naiaonline.org)
Animal Welfare | Animal Rights | National Animal Interest Alliance (naiaonline.org)
Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- The use of gene editing in mice to cure sickle cell disease
- Bird feather crystals and their potential use in making solar cells and fiber optics
- A half-male, half-female bird - one of five to have ever been discovered in the wild
- Mice breathing from their butts - a new potential medical discovery
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- Gene editing shows promise as sickle cell therapy – Harvard Gazette
- Discovery in bird feathers has the potential to make fiber optics, solar cells, and fuel cells more efficient | Yale and the World
- Japanese scientists say breathing through rectums 'saved' mice (nypost.com)
- Half-male, half-female songbird discovered in Pennsylvania | Live Science
- Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 22 with Dr. Megan LaFollette, an animal behavior & welfare scientist, researcher, & project manager
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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, we have a special co-host, Dr. Logan France, who will fill in for Danielle for a few episodes, tune in to the episode for more details. In this episode, Logan and Jeff chat with Megan Lafollette, an animal behavior and welfare scientist who has conducted lots of incredible research investigating ways to improve the lives of animals (and people). She advances science, innovation, and research animal welfare with The North American 3Rs Collaborative where they are passionate about refining, reducing, and replacing animals in research. Megan is also a part of the 3 Minute 3 Rs podcast within her role with The North American 3Rs Collaborative, along with NC3Rs and Lab Animal. We encourage all our listeners to check out Megan's webpage below and to explore the many exciting initiatives being undertaken by The North American 3Rs Collaborative.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. LaFollette's background and how she became involved in animal behavior and welfare
- The critical aspect of ensuring animal welfare within biomedical research settings
- Rat tickling, how and why to do it, and how we know it's so beneficial to the rats
- The mission of The North American 3Rs Collaborative and details regarding many of their exciting initiatives
- The 3 Minute 3Rs Podcast and why you need to listen - they're only 3-5 minutes long!
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Resources & Links:
Megan R. LaFollette - Megan LaFollette (weebly.com)
3Rs Podcast – The North American 3Rs Collaborative (na3rsc.org)
3 Minute 3Rs on acast
Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Jeff beginning his 4th and final year of vet school
- Development of humanized pig models
- 7th Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK
- African Swine Fever vaccine development and the major importance of this vaccine
- Antidepressants and swimming mice
Links to all these stories can be found below
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Resources & Links:
- We're creating 'humanized pigs' in our ultraclean lab to study human illnesses and treatments (theconversation.com)
- Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK | Openness in animal research (concordatopenness.org.uk)
- PigProgress - American ASF vaccine works through oronasal route
- Researching new antidepressants with swimming mice | Understanding Animal Research | Understanding Animal Research
- EARA Transparency Thursdays - Scientists talk about their research using animals (eara.eu)
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 21 with Rebecca Welch and Kody Jernigan
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https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month! In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and Jeff chat with Rebecca Welch, a lab animal vet at West Virginia University and Kody Jernigan, her husband, who is living with cystic fibrosis. The two of them provide a really unique perspective on the role of animals in biomedical research, specifically towards developing therapeutics and hopefully one day, a cure, for cystic fibrosis. Everyone will want to listen to this episode - you will learn everything you need to know about this disease and feel compelled to share it with others. In honor of CF Awareness Month, please consider a donation to one of the organizations below who are dedicated to advancing research and helping those with CF live longer and more comfortable lives.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Background information and exactly how cystic fibrosis affects the body of those living with the condition
- Some of the many incredible advancements that have been made over the last few decades
- A day in the life of someone with cystic fibrosis and what their treatment regimen entails
- How animals have played a crucial role in the development of new therapeutics and how they continue to provide hope for an eventual cure
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https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
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Resources & Links:
Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute - Research - Education - Advocacy - Support (accessdomain.com)
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | CF Foundation
Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Jeff finally completing his third year of vet school
- Neuralink and monkeys playing pong with their minds
- New heart valve developments that can actually grow along with the patient, avoiding multiple surgeries for kids born with heart defects
- A way to virtually tour inside of real animal research laboratories in the UK
- An update on the rare lobster, Banana, and how Danielle’s phone is tracking her interests in these rare creatures
Links to all these stories can be found below
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!
Resources & Links:
- Neuralink – Monkey Playing Pong with his Mind
- Lab-Created Heart Valves Can Grow with the Recipients
- Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 20 with Dr. Sally Thompson-Iritani, Director (Interim) Washington National Primate Research Center
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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and Jeff chat with Dr. Sally Thompson-Iritani. Sally has worked in the animal welfare, compliance and research field for over 30 years. She offers a great perspective on the field and on life in general with a strong passion for both the animals being used in biomedical research and the people who interact with these animals. She is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional as well as a Certified Human Animal Bond Practitioner. In addition to all of this, Sally is a co-chair of the planning committee for the PRIM&R 2021 IACUC Conference, being held April 14-16, and explains why anyone interested in the field of biomedical research, whether you work in the field or not, should attend and participate in the many exciting events on tap.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Thompson-Iritani’s extensive background and experience throughout his education and career.
- The role of the Washington National Primate Research Center
- Compassion fatigue in the world of animal research and the University of Washington’s Dare 2 Care program
- What to expect from the upcoming PRIM&R 2021 IACUC Conference
- Alternatives to animal models and how Laura’s lab abides by the principles of refinement, reduction, and replacement to her research.
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https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
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Resources & Links:
Lab Rat Chat’s YouTube Page
Dare 2 Care Program (https://sites.uw.edu/d2c/)
Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and maybe some unrelated topics as well).
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this edition of News Bites, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Jeff's third year of vet school
- A new and exciting podcast about animal research - GetReal! Podcast by Dr. Cindy Buckmaster
- The PRIM&R 2021 IACUC Virtual Conference
- Gorillas receiving an experimental COVID-19 vaccine
- The insane intellectual ability of cephalopods
- Numbers of animals used in research in the UK
(links to all these stories can be found below)
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
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Resources & Links:
- Cuttlefish show self-control, pass 'marshmallow test' | Live Science
- First great apes at U.S. zoo receive COVID-19 vaccine made for animals (nationalgeographic.com)
- PRIM&R - Lab Rat Chat
- GetReal! about animal research (naiaonline.org)
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 19 with Dr. Brian Herrin, Assistant Professor and Veterinary Parasitologist at Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine
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In this special episode of Lab Rat Chat, Dr. Brian Herrin joined us by video to record an episode for the 2021 Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Symposium, hosted by Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Herrin is an expert in all things related to ticks, fleas, and all the diseases that come along with them, so you’ll definitely want to listen (and watch!) this one. The video can be seen at our YouTube channel (see Resources & Links below for the link). We want to thank K-State College of Veterinary Medicine for the invitation to be a part of the 2021 SAVMA Symposium, and to Dr. Herrin for taking the time to share a wealth of exciting and very informative knowledge with us and our audience.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Herrin’s extensive background and experience throughout his education and career.
- How we all benefit from biomedical research, including our pets, who wouldn’t be able to live indoors with us without the tick and flea preventatives we’ve grown so accustomed to.
- Multi-drug resistant fleas and ways to hopefully slow down this resistance
- The complexities that go into maintaining a living supply of fleas within a laboratory setting
- Alternatives to animal models and how Laura’s lab abides by the principles of refinement, reduction, and replacement to her research.
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Resources & Links:
Lab Rat Chat’s YouTube Page
Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
What is SAVMA? (https://www.avma.org/membership/SAVMA/what-is-SAVMA)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and maybe some unrelated topics as well).
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In this edition of News Bites, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Llamas and their impact in developing asthma-style inhalers for treating COVID-19
- Ferrets involved in the discovery of nasal sprays for blocking COVID-19 infections
- How dogs helped deliver Diphtheria anti-toxin to a town stricken with the disease in the 1920s
- The finding of a rare, yellow colored lobster named Banana
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Resources & Links:
- Asthma-style inhaler filled with powerful LLAMA antibodies could treat COVID-19 | Daily Mail Online
- Nasal spray blocks COVID-19 infection in ferrets | Cornell Chronicle
- Alaska Serum Run of 1925: Togo, Not Balto - Sports Illustrated
- Marine Science Center home to rare yellow lobster (une.edu)
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research.
Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
In this edition of News Bites, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- Proposed legislation that has an impact on the use of animals in biomedical research
- mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccine being used to treat/prevent Multiple Sclerosis
- The mind-boggling oddities surrounding the platypus and the recent genome sequencing project that’s been completed
- A new type of snake movement discovery and how it can help develop snake-like robots
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Resources & Links:
- Legislation Webinar Recording (created by AMP, SUBR, NABR): https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3578344511748080385
- Legislative Search Results | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
- BioNTech creates a multiple sclerosis vaccine | Daily Mail Online
- Mapping the platypus genome: How Earth's oddest mammal got to be so bizarre -- ScienceDaily
- Brown tree snakes use their tails as lassos to climb wide trees | Science News
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 18 with Dr. Laura Knoll, Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Dr. Laura Knoll joined the show to talk about her super important and interesting research involving parasites, including Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite cause toxoplasmosis and it can have devastating effects on humans, especially in pregnant women and to their unborn babies. Laura provides our listeners with some background information on this parasite, how to avoid it, and how her lab is able to conduct groundbreaking research with it utilizing a mouse model in the laboratory.
Topics discussed in this episode:
· Laura’s extensive background and experience throughout her education and career.
· What exactly toxoplasmosis is, and why the public should be concerned about this parasite.
· Laura’s incredible research helping to understand more about Toxoplasma gondii and ways to help those affected by it.
· Alternatives to animal models and how Laura’s lab abides by the principles of refinement, reduction, and replacement to her research.
Notable quote:
“The public should be concerned because this is a really, really common parasite in humans. It is the reason pregnant women aren’t supposed to handle cats or cat litter, and it’s because toxoplasma has it’s sexual cycle limited to the feline intestine."
“We were able to figure that out and take it one step further, because no one wanted to use cats in research. We were able to inhibit the enzyme in mice, and give them a linoleic acid rich diet and get the sexual cycle to occur in mice, and now the mice will poop out infectious oocysts just like the cat.”
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Resources & Links:
· Centers for Disease Control – Toxoplasmosis (https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/faqs.html)
Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
· Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
First installment of Lab Rat Chat News Bites where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics.
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In this new series of episodes to complement the usual interview style episodes you've grown accustomed to on Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and Jeff break down and inform their listeners of recent news, trends, and events going on related to biomedical research and the use of animals for the advancement of human and veterinary medicine. Look for more episodes of Lab Rat Chat News Bites on a monthly basis.
In this first episode, Jeff and Danielle discuss:
- The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines recently approved by the FDA
- The importance of animals in research for the development of the vaccine
- The pioneer behind the mRNA vaccines, Katalin Karikó
- Their own thoughts and opinions on the vaccine production timeline
- Why pandas apparently like to roll around in horse poop
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Resources & Links:
- The story of mRNA: From a loose idea to a tool that may help curb Covid (statnews.com)
- Scientists finally think they know why these pandas like to roll in horse poop | Science | AAAS (sciencemag.org)
- How monkeys helped develop and test COVID-19 vacccine (News4SA)
- Americans for Medical Progress
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 17 with Dr. Sherrie Clark, Professor and Clinician at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Dr. Sherrie Clark, a veterinarian and one of Jeff’s professors at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine joined the show to talk about the important role that pigs (and other species) play in developing our ability to transplant organs from animals into humans. This episode hits on a lot of interesting points, from Dr. Clark’s very unique experiences including milking pigs to detailed and informative descriptions of what all is involved when it comes to animal-to-human organ transplants
Topics discussed in this episode:
· Dr. Clark’s extensive background and experience throughout her education and career.
· Why and how pigs are a good model to use for many different capacities throughout biomedical research.
· How pig models can and are being used to study how to one day transplant organs from animals into humans.
· The types of different organs that could be used for transplants from animals into humans and the complexities of making this a reality in the near-future.
Notable quote:
“The heart is similar size, a lot of the organs are very similar, the digestive tract is very similar, they’re just really a nice model"
“My colleague got some grant funding and said, ‘What if we took fat and took it to the laboratory, started those stem cells on the process of rederiving into bone, and then we’re able to put those cells back into humans?”.”
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Resources & Links:
· Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
· Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 16 with Lisa Roberts from the University of Connecticut
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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and I talked with Lisa Roberts, RLATg, a veterinary technician at the University of Connecticut. We had a very interesting conversation about the day-to-day operations and what life is like for those working within an animal research facility. Lisa talked to us about the various positions within their animal care facility and the daily interactions that go on between them to ensure the animals are constantly receiving the best quality of care.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Lisa’s extensive background and experience throughout her education and career.
- The day-to-day responsibilities and what life is like working within an animal research facility.
- A few of Lisa’s favorite projects that she’s been a part of over the years
- Advice for those who may be interested in pursuing a career in laboratory animal science.
Notable quote:
“The animal care techs...they are an advocate and a voice for the animals, they see and interact with them daily and they'll notice those subtle changes in their behavior...and it's so important to have people in those positions that are intuitive to that. I feel that people who have a love for animals are the people that are drawn to this position, and they are very good at that job."
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Resources & Links:
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 15 with Angela Stoyanovitch, Founding Partner and Host of Legal Drugs Podcast.
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https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchatIn this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and I had a chat with Angela Stoyanovitch, B.A., LATG, who is the Founding Partner and host of Legal Drugs Podcast, a production of Legal Drugs Agency, LLC. Legal Drugs Agency is a consultancy and media agency dedicated to supporting both drug developers and the public in understanding what it takes to get a drug to market. After graduating from Hope College with degrees in Biology and Neuroscience, Angela set out to understand more about biomedical research. In her first job out of college she certified as a Laboratory Animal Technologist. Leveraging her experience in the lab, Angela networked her way to supporting researchers as a sales representative for one of the largest contract research organizations in the world. Altogether, Angela brings twelve years of contract research, drug development and business development experience to her media platforms and show, Legal Drugs Podcast, where she interviews both scientific or industry experts and laypeople affected by disease. Angela is interested in the human effect of the industry, preventative measures, curative drugs and a transparent tax-funded culture for all of biomedical research as it supports new legal drugs.
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
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Buy Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!
https://labratchat.myteespring.co/
Resources & Links:
- Legal Drugs Podcast (https://www.podpage.com/legal-drugs-podcast/)
- NAALAS Panel – Podcasting to the Public and the Art of Storytelling (https://issuu.com/aalasoffice/docs/2020_virtual_meeting_program/28)
- Listen to Lab Rat Chat co-host, Jeff, on Legal Drugs Podcast (https://www.podpage.com/legal-drugs-podcast/28-an-alternative-narrative-to-animal-research-in-biotechnology-the-journey-to-becoming-a-lab-animal-veterinarian-with-jeff-marshall/)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 14 with Dr. Christopher Chen from Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Help us out by leaving us a rating or review on iTunes | Stitcher - we might even read your review on our next episode!**In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and I talked with Dr. Christopher Chen, Southwest National Primate Research Center Assistant Director for Research Support at Texas Biomedical Research Institute. We had an interesting conversation about his lab’s recent development of a new incredible animal model in the squirrel monkey, for the purpose of studying Hepatitis B. In this episode you’ll learn everything you need to know about Hepatitis B and the important ongoing research working toward cures and treatments for this disease.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Chen’s extensive background and experience throughout his education and career.
- Hepatitis B background information, including what it is, what it does to the body, how long the disease can last, and much more.
- The storied history of hepatitis B and C research, including the development of a vaccine for hepatitis B and a cure for hepatitis C, at Texas Biomedical Research Institute.
- The process of developing a squirrel monkey animal model for hepatitis B research and why the squirrel monkey makes for such a great model.
- Future directions for hepatitis B research now that the squirrel monkey model has been developed.
Notable quotes:
“The goal is to find some related monkey to wooly monkeys that would support the infection of this wooly monkey HBV chronically, so squirrel monkeys are closely related, and they have conserved residues of other receptors.”
“Took the viral genome from wooly monkey HBV and inserted into another virus that infects the liver quite readily, it’s called adeno-associated virus…we essentially gutted the adeno-associated virus genome and replaced it with this wooly monkey HBV genome and that allowed us to get the virus to very readily infect the liver cells of the squirrel monkey, and once it was in the liver cells, it would naturally replicate and you would get wild-type wooly monkey HBV being produced.”
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Resources & Links:
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute (https://www.txbiomed.org/)
- Texas Biomed Squirrel Monkey Animal Model for Hepatitis B article (https://www.txbiomed.org/news-press/news-releases/new-animal-model-identified-to-research-hepatitis-b-virus/)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 13 with Dr. Joanne Turner and Dr. Luis Martinez-Sobrido from Texas Biomedical Research Institute
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https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchatIn this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and I had the pleasure of talking to two guests, another first for us, with Dr. Joanne Turner and Dr. Luis Martinez-Sobrido from Texas Biomedical Research Institute. We chatted about their recent development of humanized mice to help us understand some of the many complexities surrounding SARS-CoV-2, as well as simply talking about some general mysteries about this COVID-19 disease that we hear about in the media. For a more in-depth read on their COVID-19 research, check out the link below in the 'Resources & Links' section.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Turner’s and Dr. Martinez-Sobrido’s extensive backgrounds and experiences throughout their education and careers.
- Details regarding the humanized mice they’ve developed and why they’re a good model to study COVID-19.
- Information about the infectious dose of COVID-19 and why children seem less susceptible, and how using this mouse model may help give clues on these mysteries.
- Ways to approach talking about animal research with the public and how the public should perceive the field of biomedical research.
Notable quotes:
“Altogether what we find is these transgenic mice pretty much represent a very nice and good small animal model to study COVID-19 pathogenesis and to study some of these approaches that we are trying to develop at Texas Biomed in terms of vaccine development and therapeutics for the treatment of these viral infections”
“These transgenic mice will be a great model to study if you can get re-infected once you have primarily been infected with the virus.”
“I think some of those apparent contradictions are because it’s a new virus, it’s unknown, and we’re working at it very quickly and we’re putting information out as we find it, so often our initial observation get modified when we learn more. So that’s why it seems like, in science, we’re sometimes changing our minds, but that’s because we gathered new information in a robust way.”
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Resources & Links:
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute (https://www.txbiomed.org/)
- Texas Biomed Humanized Mice Press Release (https://www.txbiomed.org/news-press/news-releases/sars-cov-2-rodent-study/)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 12 with Dr. Logan France, board-certified laboratory animal veterinarian and Founder and Program Director of BRAD
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https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchatIn this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and I had a chance to catch up with Dr. Logan France to talk all about Biomedical Research Awareness Day (BRAD), officially planned for September 17, 2020. If you don’t already know, BRAD is a truly amazing day that celebrates the use of animals in biomedical research that have contributed to both human and veterinary medicine. Anyone and everyone can and should celebrate BRAD and help educate and inform not only the public but also themselves on the importance of animal research. To get started, head to the BRAD webpage in the ‘Resources and Links’ section below and be sure to follow them on all their social media accounts!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. France’s extensive background and experiences throughout her education and career.
- An overview of what Biomedical Research Awareness Day is and how it all started.
- How BRAD has grown over the years to become a worldwide celebration of laboratory animals and medical advancements.
- Ways to get involved and celebrate this annual tradition.
- Dr. France’s favorite laboratory animal and a couple of her favorite medical discoveries that have come from the use of animals in biomedical research.
Notable quotes:
“We also created BRAD challenges for this year…we’ve got 18 challenges for people to complete that are focused on showing support for animal research and educating others about the importance for animal research, and by participating they can earn entries for a raffle where we are giving away a bunch of neat prizes.”
“The Principal Investigator (PI) for this lab was on the team of surgeons that completed the first bilateral forearm transplant at John’s Hopkins in a young man who survived a quadruple amputation after an injury in Iraq, and he lost all four limbs and was then able to have this transplant done and he now has two working arms…he’s able to do push-ups and pull-ups.”
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https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Resources & Links:
- BRAD's Webpage (https://www.bradglobal.org/)
- BRAD’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BRADGlobal/)
- BRAD’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/brad_global/)
- BRAD’s Twitter (https://twitter.com/amp_brad)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 11 with Dr. Dale Cooper, board-certified laboratory animal veterinarian
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https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchatIn this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Dr. Dale Cooper, speaks to us about some of the common misconceptions surrounding the use of animals in research. We’ve all heard the argument that animals aren’t useful models for drug development, so take a minute and listen to Dr. Cooper break down the facts on this one and tell us why they are indeed the absolute best model for this and why they are still 100% necessary. Go check out Dr. Cooper’s guest article from a couple years back for Speaking of Research titled, “Predictability and Utility of Animal Models”.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Cooper’s extensive background and experiences throughout his education and career.
- A brief overview of the drug development process and alternatives that are utilized before ever testing a drug in an animal.
- The ability of animals to successfully predict potential toxicities and safety of a drug before testing it in humans.
- Whether or not the use of animals for drug development and testing could be skipped altogether, going straight into human testing instead.
- How a drug obtains approval to move from an animal model into human testing and ultimately on to the market.
Notable quotes:
“Some people will think about drug development in a particular animal research as if you one run study on one drug, and that gives you all your answers, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“The vast majority of people, even if they won’t admit that they’re okay with animal research, they are driving the demand that essentially is there asking us to develop drugs, develop within a certain timeframe, within a certain cost, and with a certain level of safety.”
Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!
https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/
Resources & Links:
- Dr. Cooper’s Guest Post: Predictability and Utility of Animal Models (https://speakingofresearch.com/2017/07/25/predictability-and-utility-of-animal-models/)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 10 with Dr. Tara Martin, Director of the Refinement and Enrichment Laboratory at the University of Michigan
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https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchatIn this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Dr. Tara Martin from the Refinement and Enrichment Laboratory at the University of Michigan joins us to chat about the use of enrichment to stimulate and improve the lives of laboratory animals. Dr. Martin and her team go to incredible lengths to ensure the enrichment they provide to every single animal are both safe and effective.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Martin’s extensive background and experiences throughout her education and career.
- The mission and vision of the Refinement and Enrichment Laboratory at the University of Michigan.
- What enrichment is and why it must (almost) always be used for laboratory animals.
- The process of testing and approving new enrichment items for use with the various animal species.
- Specific types of enrichment that may be used for animals based upon the type of study they’re involved in, such as studying cancer or cardiovascular diseases versus depression or anxiety.
Notable quotes:
“The reason we research enrichment is because there are a lot of toys and items available that seem like they would be really fun to us as humans, and then you give them to an animal and the animal is like ‘I have no interest in this item’, or they may even be afraid of the item.”
“We filmed pigs with a bunch of different mats and then a bunch of different toys, and they ignored most of the items we put in, such as Kongs or balls, but the mats they would sleep on and then they would spend a lot of time pushing them around the cage, probably because pigs just love to root items on the ground and that’s just such a normal behavior for them.”
Resources & Links:
- Refinement & Enrichment Advancements Laboratory (https://animalcare.umich.edu/animal-use/refinement-enrichment-advancements-laboratory)
- REAL Lab Animal Enrichment Database (https://az.research.umich.edu/animalcare/search/all?keys=&type=All&topic=18&category=All)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 09 with Dr. Javier Guillen from the European Animal Research Association
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https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchatIn this ninth episode of Lab Rat Chat, Dr. Javier Guillen from the European Animal Research Association joins us all the way from Spain to chat about the similarities and differences in animal research regulations and laws in the European Union compared with those in the United States.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Guillen's extensive background and experiences throughout his education and career.
- The mission and vision of the European Animal Research Association.
- Similarities and differences between United States and EU animal research regulations.
- The development of Transparency Agreements and how they may be contributing to increasing public trust.
Notable quotes:
“In these current times of COVID-19, EARA has put together an interactive map to display the biomedical research currently underway across the world to find a cure for coronavirus.”
“Many people don’t really know when, why, and how animals are used. When you explain to someone all the regulations and ethical oversight, they are really surprised.”
Resources & Links:
- European Animal Research Association (www.eara.eu)
- EARA interactive COVID-19 map (https://www.eara.eu/post/how-animals-are-helping-in-covid-19-research-a-global-overview)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 08 with Dr. Ricardo Carrion, Jr., Professor at Texas Biomedical Research Institute
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$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! Simply rate and review the podcast to be entered to win one of FIVE $100 Amazon gift cards!**In this eighth episode of Lab Rat Chat, Dr. Ricardo Carrion, Jr., from Texas Biomedical Research Institute, talks to us about the research they are doing down at their institute in San Antonio, TX to help combat COVID-19.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Carrion’s journey through his education and career leading to his current position at Texas Biomedical Research Institute.
- The details behind various high containment laboratories that allow scientists to work safely with deadly pathogens.
- The use of various animal models to help understand and study SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus behind the COVID-19 disease.
Notable quotes:
"Individuals are actually suited into a space-suit type uniform, it's a single, continuous jump-suit, if you will, that has a zipper...they are tethered to a breathing air-supply line, and they work in the BSL-4 laboratory in that suit."
“The level of collaborations seen in this outbreak, this pandemic, is greater than any other type of collaboration that I’ve seen in the 20 years that I’ve been doing science.”
“If you look at vaccine development, if you look at Ebola for instance, as an example, it was about 7-10 years to license that vaccine. So that in one year, we’re talking about possibly having an FDA licensed vaccine for COVID-19, it’s pretty remarkable”
Resources & Links:
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute (www.txbiomed.org)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- AMP's COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
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**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 07 with Dr. Mark Slifka, Professor at Oregon Health and Science University
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$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! Simply rate and review the podcast to be entered to win one of FIVE $100 Amazon gift cards!**In this seventh episode of Lab Rat Chat, Dr. Mark Slifka from Oregon Health and Science University talks to us about his research involving developing antibody tests for detecting COVID-19.
Check out the video version of this episode on YouTube (link below)! Be sure to comment and let us know if you want to see more of this in the future! And yes, I'm recording from my basement, which is one of the only, actually, it is the only, somewhat quiet place in my house.
Video version of the episode - https://youtu.be/ArmVEja-AD0
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Slifka’s journey through his education and career leading to his current position at Oregon Health and Science University.
- Serological (antibody) tests for COVID-19 detection in people.
- Why developing these serological tests to be highly accurate is so important to help our country, and our entire world, move past this COVID-19 pandemic.
- The general role of animals in vaccine development.
- Potential treatment options for those suffering from COVID-19.
Notable quotes:
“We were the first study to demonstrate that immunity can be maintained for up to 75 years after a single vaccination against smallpox.”
“A virus like measles is very very contagious, far more contagious than COVID-19, far more contagious than flu”
“If we got herd immunity in the range of 50-60%, then there’s a good chance that the herd immunity itself would reduce that reproductive number to less than one and the virus would burn itself out”
Resources & Links:
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- AMP's COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 06 with Dr. Rudolf Bohm, Associate Director and Chief Veterinary Medical Officer at the Tulane National Primate Research Center
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$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! Simply rate and review the podcast to be entered to win one of FIVE $100 Amazon gift cards!**In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle talk with Dr. Rudolf Bohm from the Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC). We cover a variety of topics in this one, including the basics of using monkeys in research, to TNPRC’s vaccine development work for the new coronavirus (COVID-19), to what the daily life of a monkey is like within the TNPRC.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Bohm’s journey through veterinary school and beyond, leading to his current position at the Tulane National Primate Research Center.
- Why non-human primates (monkeys) are so critical to the field of biomedical research.
- Amazing contributions to medicine and technology attributed to the use of monkeys in research.
- TNPRC’s efforts in developing an animal model for the new coronavirus causing COVID-19 and the work to be done in discovering potential vaccine candidates for COVID-19.
- The daily life of a monkey living within the TNPRC facilities and the amazing level of care and compassion that goes in to caring for them in ways you’ve never imagined.
Notable quotes:
“We developed a much better test to detect Lyme disease in both humans and in pet dogs…so that one actually did benefit pets directly which was probably the first time we’ve seen that happen, something move from primates to dogs”
Regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) - “Really there are a lot of unanswered questions, such as how is it transmitted and how long after infection is it transmitted, how much virus is excreted, and so those are the kinds of things we can answer in animal studies that you can’t answer in human studies because you don’t know when humans are infected…”
“Our approach is not just to throw a toy in a cage or try something new because we think it’s going to work. We do it in a limited fashion, and we collect data, and we assess the data because we want to do things that are going to improve their welfare…”
Resources & Links:
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (https://tnprc.tulane.edu/)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 05 with Dr. Rick Born, Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard University and member of Society for Neuroscience
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$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! Simply rate and review the podcast to be entered to win one of FIVE $100 Amazon gift cards!** In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle's conversation with Dr. Born delves into a variety of topics including amazing medical discoveries and even advances in everyday technology that have come from animal research. Dr. Born talks about the role of The Society for Neuroscience in promoting responsible animal research as well as their resources to help protect their members facing opposition from animal rights groups.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Rick Born’s journey through medical school and beyond, leading to his current position at Harvard University.
- Information on The Society for Neuroscience and their role in advancing science and promoting responsible animal research
- Amazing contributions to medicine and technology attributed to the use of animals in research
- The basics of Dr. Born’s research of the visual system and why this requires the use of non-human primates in order to help us understand vision
- An introduction to our listeners about some of the various levels of extremism researchers have faced from animal rights groups
- Ways the research community can continue to improve in furthering the trust of the public
Notable quotes:
“It’s important for ordinary people to see that scientists are also ordinary people. We have wives and children, and dogs for pets, and we live in your neighborhood. We believe that what we’re doing is important and justified and humane.”
“Again, it goes to show how deep and necessary animal research is to the entire biomedical enterprise, and not limited to humans, but including the benefits that go to our pets as well.”
“All the software that recognizes you when you’re on Facebook, when you post a picture to Facebook…it recognizes you because it’s using algorithms that were directly patterned after what we’ve learned about vision from the Macaque [monkey] visual system.”
Resources & Links:
- The Society for Neuroscience (https://www.sfn.org/)
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- Come See Our World (https://www.comeseeourworld.org/)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
Lab Rat Chat - Episode 04 with Dr. Helen Diggs, Senior Director of AAALAC International
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$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! Simply rate and review the podcast to be entered to win one of FIVE $100 Amazon gift cards!** In this fourth episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle talk with Dr. Helen Diggs about why this organization has been so critical to the continued evolution of animal care and use standards. Listen and find out about some of the amazing efforts institutions put forth in order to obtain this voluntary accreditation.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Helen Diggs' interesting background working in Alaska, which involved working with polar bears and wolves!
- The role of AAALAC International
- A brief overview of the process to obtain AAALAC International accreditation
- Common findings during AAALAC International triennial site visit assessments
Notable quotes:
“It was an amazing introduction to veterinary medicine, they cared for a wide variety of species - wolves, lemmings, a polar bear, arctic foxes, and they studied diseases that are widespread in the Alaskan animal population…”
“AAALAC International promotes the responsible treatment and care of animals used in science through a voluntary, rigorous assessment and accreditation program. ”
“Accredited institutions understand that meritorious, reproducible science depends on superb, consistent animal care. ”
Resources & Links:
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- AAALAC International (https://www.aaalac.org)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 03 with Dr. Stephen Beebe, a cancer research scientist at Old Dominion University.
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$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! Simply rate and review the podcast to be entered to win one of FIVE $100 Amazon gift cards!**In this third episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle talk to a research scientist, Dr. Stephen, about his research and how and why it requires the use of animals. Stephen conducts cancer research trying to find cures, and even vaccines, for various types of cancer. This has real impacts for both humans and our beloved pets, and I think Stephen illustrates some really fascinating points regarding the use of animals in research that you’ve never thought about before.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Stephen’s extensive background in research and how he has used animals to conduct a wide variety of types of science
- His role as both a research scientist and the Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
- The type of research he is currently conducting and how bioelectrics may be a potential cure and vaccine to treat and prevent cancer, including breast cancer and melanoma
- The importance of continuing to use animals in research
- Whether or not there is potential to discontinue the use of research animals in our near or distant future
Notable quotes:
“When we do euthanize an animal, we try to be sure that we get maximum use from the tissues.”
“We place them in a cage with a heating pad under it so they stay warm…and we have treats in the cage and one thing I’ve always noticed when an animal comes out of anesthesia, the first thing they do is start chewing on those little treats.”
“We actually began this with simulation and modeling…then we used cells in culture…and then the next step that needed to be taken was to go to animals. So, we had a lot of information before we went to animals in terms of how to do this, so we minimized the number of animals needed.”
Resources & Links:
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- AAALAC International (https://www.aaalac.org)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 02 with Dr. Steve Shipley, a laboratory animal veterinarian from UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine
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$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! Simply rate and review the podcast to be entered to win one of FIVE $100 Amazon gift cards!**In this second episode of Lab Rat Chat, Jeff and Danielle speak with Dr. Shipley to continue to illustrate the importance of animals in research for the continued advancement of both human and veterinary medicine.
That's right, there are actual veterinarians working in research laboratories all over the world who have taken an oath to oversee and protect the health and welfare of every single animal.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Dr. Shipley’s background and how he got involved in the field of laboratory animal medicine
- His role within his current position as a veterinarian working in a research laboratory
- How research animals are cared for from a veterinary standpoint, including diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease and illness
- The importance of continuing to use animals in research
- Whether or not there is potential to discontinue the use of animals in research in the near future
- Laboratory animal medicine as a career choice for aspiring veterinarians as well as veterinary technicians, husbandry staff, administrators, etc.
Notable quotes:
“My job as a laboratory animal veterinarian is to manage, prevent and treat disease. And my job as a veterinarian in private practice was to manage, prevent, and treat disease.”
“You actually sign a contract, your institution signs a binding contract with the government saying, there are rules that have been set up and you say we will follow and abide by these rules”
Resources & Links:
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- AAALAC International (https://www.aaalac.org)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)
**Lab Rat Chat - Episode 01 with Danielle and Jeff providing an introduction into the world of animal research
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$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! Simply rate and review the podcast to be entered to win one of FIVE $100 Amazon gift cards!**Welcome to the very first episode of Lab Rat Chat podcast with Jeff & Danielle!
In this podcast series, Danielle and Jeff will talk about animal research and why it’s important for the continued advancement of both human and veterinary medicine. We aim to provide you with facts about this field and what’s really happening behind the scenes We'll have some really exciting guests on this show who are doing great things in this field, so be sure you check out every episode to hear from all of them!
In this very first episode, Danielle and I get the conversation started and talk about some basic things regarding the field of animal research, people and organizations involved in it, and a couple of common misconceptions surrounding the use of animals in research.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Jeff’s background in veterinary science and his experience in overseeing regulations related to animal research
- Danielle’s story of getting into the world of lab animals and her past and current work in the field
- Why it’s necessary to continue animal research
- How animals are housed and treated
- Clarifying the terms; “Animal Testing” & “Animal Research"
- Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) and its role in animal research
- The approval and monitoring process of protocols involved in animal research
- Regulations and laws related to animal research
- How animal research is involved in developing and evolving human medical procedures
- Why it’s challenging for computer modeling or cell culture methods to replace animal research
Notable Quotes:“There are lots of things that we benefit on a daily basis that people don't even know require the use of animals.”
“We have the USDA, the United States Department of Agriculture, and then we have Public Health Service policy, PHS policy. And between those two, they cover all the species that are using animal research.”
“Out of 108 Nobel prizes that have been awarded in the field of medicine and physiology, 96 of those have included the use of animals.”
Resources & Links:
- Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/)
- AAALAC International (https://www.aaalac.org)
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (https://olaw.nih.gov/policies-laws/phs-policy.htm)
- Animal Welfare Act (https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/animal-welfare-act)
All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/
Support the show (https://www.amprogress.org/donate/)