25 minute read
Sunday
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
TRACK I
Are You Gelling? Get the Most Out of Your Colony with Nutritional Gel Supplementation
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Speaker: Jay Palmer Moderator: William Thomas Genetically engineered rodent strains or strains that are historically difficult to breed and maintain oftentimes can benefit from nutritional gel supplementation. Nutritional gel products, such as DietGel®, are soft and highly palatable, providing animals with purified ingredients, wholesome nutrition, and extra hydration. DietGel® provides many benefits for colonies that experience cannibalism, poor litter size, or weak or small weanlings. In this presentation we’ll explore the different nutritional characteristics of DietGel® products and discuss studies that demonstrate their effectiveness in supporting colony performance. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by ClearH2O.
Optimizing the Use of Catheter Access Buttons and Ports: Understand the Basics for Better Studies and Improved Animal Welfare
1:20 PM - 1:40 PM Speaker: Brad Gien Moderator: Merryl Cramer In recent years, buttons have become the preferred way to infuse and sample from rodents. These miniaturized ports are implanted at the externalization point of the catheter; this protects the catheter from interference while creating a clean, easy port to access the blood vessel. Use of buttons in rats and mice has improved animal welfare by permitting group housing and has also extended catheter patency. While many labs have adopted this technology with success, there are some common questions, such as when to choose a button versus a port, what to know when implanting the device in-house versus working with a vendor, how to optimize the setup for tethered animal studies, and what kinds of studies are the best fit for these tools. While there are some limits to how and where these ports can be used, the technology could improve animal welfare while making studies safer and easier for both animals and researchers. The target audience are those who perform awake animal studies that require dosing and sampling. The data will also be relevant to any animal researchers that are struggling with catheter patency issues, tethered animal studies, reducing animal stress, or making blood collection more efficient. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by SAI Infusion Technologies.
Understanding Differences between Inhalant Anesthesia Systems for Small Animals
1:40 PM - 2:00 PM Speaker: David Poldiak Moderator: Eugene Marino III Until recently, researchers who required inhalant anesthesia for their small animal procedures and surgeries typically chose traditional canister-style vaporizers. A ubiquitous device in most labs, these workhorse anesthesia systems were originally designed for larger animals and adapted for use on smaller ones despite their inability to deliver flow rates appropriate for rodents and other small animals. Now, using new and innovative designs, researchers have more choices: low-flow electronic systems can deliver just the right amount of anesthesia based on a small animal’s body weight. These systems use less anesthetic and produce less waste anesthesia gas, creating more precise delivery while minimizing exposure to users. Our talk will highlight the pros and cons for each type of anesthesia systems, illustrate which are most appropriate to ensure successful outcomes, and guide both new and veteran researchers on the best system choice for their application. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Kent Scientific Corporation.
The Use of Alfaxalone in Biomedical Research Models
2:00 PM - 2:20 PM Speaker: Karen Kerr Moderator: Amanda Calla Anesthesia may be required in biomedical research models to facilitate handling, prevent patient movement during imaging, and perform procedures that are inappropriate in conscious animals. In many situations, the anesthetic protocols employed aim to maintain patient homeostasis and avoid confounding effects on study outcomes. Alfaxan Multidose IDX (alfaxalone 10 mg/mL) is an anesthetic and sedative that has been indexed for use in over 50 minor, non-food-producing species, and is being increasingly incorporated into research models. Alfaxalone is a GABAergic anesthetic that can be administered by multiple routes of administration and offers a wide safety margin with minimal cardiorespiratory depression. The speaker will review models where alfaxalone is currently being used, with a focus on neurological, pregnancy/preterm/neonatal, and cardiovascular studies in a variety of species. Participants will learn about alfaxalone’s efficacy, versatility, and reliability in a variety of situations and species, based on published literature. The target audience for this presentation is veterinarians, researchers, and technicians. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Jurox Inc.
Best Data and Conduct Practices for Improving Animal Study Reproducibility
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM Speaker: Eric M Ibsen Moderator: Jens Ibsen Researchers have found that 50% to 90% of published in vivo studies were not reproducible. The difficulty across the field of in vivo research of generating results with a high level of integrity, detail, and reproducibility on a consistent basis underscores the need to critically examine, improve, and standardize processes for animal study conduct. Researchers must understand the factors contributing to poor data quality and irreproducible study results and implement effective best practices for data integrity, study conduct, and scientific rigor. Researchers attending this presentation will gain an understanding of some success factors, practical approaches, and study workflow software approaches to make animal studies more reproducible. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Studylog Animal Study Workflow Software.
How Digital Transformations Are Improving In Vivo Workflows
2:40 PM - 3:00 PM Speaker: Charles Donnelly Moderator: Julie Morrison In vivo studies are complex, and the results are sensitive to numerous operational and biological variables. Studies are expensive to run and often produce outcomes that are not repeatable resulting in uncertainty, re-work, and delays. Adding to the challenge, data captured from in vivo studies are usually stored in spreadsheets, binders, and point solutions creating disconnected data silos, each with unique data formats that are difficult to harmonize, quality check, and aggregate for analysis. The resulting data chaos puts a drag on operational efficiencies and slows discovery while wasting research resources. Until recently, digitalizing in vivo workflows has been a promise of the future. New tools are now transforming how in vivo research workflows are conducted such that operations are becoming more efficient, and data are harmonized and aggregated from the point of data capture. We will discuss how research labs are experiencing efficiency gains with the potential to reduce the burden on research animals and speed drugs to market. We will look at how study teams, including scientists, planners, and lab technicians, work seamlessly within one digital ecosystem across business sites, departments, and therapeutic areas. The new tools offer streamlined communications, chain of custody tracking, real-time situational awareness, and 360-degree views into data. We propose that labs embarking on digital transformation efforts will have a market advantage and have increased discovery output. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Rockstep Solutions.
Scientific Virtual Assistants for Animal Science and Operations
3:00 PM - 3:20 PM Speaker: Steve McCoy Moderator: Eugene Marino III Working with animals often requires two hands, making it difficult to do other tasks like record data or write down notes. Virtual assistants help with animal research and operations by allowing scientists and operations leads to use their voice, freeing their hands to work with the animals. The speaker will cover, what exactly defines a scientific virtual assistant, how do scientific virtual assistants differ from Alexa or Siri, what defines "hands-free data capture" and "guided process execution" and various applications of virtual assistants in vivarium, animal research, and more. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by LabVoice.
Achieving Greater Welfare Compliance in the Measurement and Analysis of Subcutaneous Tumors by Using a 3D and Thermal Imaging Platform
3:20 PM - 3:40 PM Speaker: Karl Turley Moderator: Jason Steed We will discuss using a 3D and thermal imaging system and cloudbased data workflow to monitor, automate, and standardize welfare management when conducting tumor growth oncology efficacy studies in mice. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Fuel3D – BioVolume. Modernizing Research: A Connected Platform
3:40 PM - 4:00 PM Speaker: Lindsay G Andrews Moderator: Lindsay G Andrews Modernizing research oversight can be a challenge, but the benefits of a connected, fully integrated operation are significant and result in efficient operations and better compliance programs. One approach to modernizing a research operation is through adopting technology that will integrate cross departmental research operations. This discussion will cover the integration points on the Cayuse platform, with other vendors like CITI and AALAS, even Cayuse competitors, and how we partner with organizations to successfully implement this integrated technology. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Cayuse.
Software Alone Won't Fix Vivarium Management Process Challenges: A Case Study on Optimizing Oncology Research Projects
4:00 PM - 4:20 PM Speaker: Mathew Sanderson Moderator: Eric Y Rieux Running an animal facility and keeping all staff happy can be a daunting challenge. Researchers need animal models in time, animal technicians need clear and concise instructions to manage their day-to-day task lists, veterinarians need to be alerted promptly when animals need care, and facility managers need visibility in real time and the ability to plan for supplies, cage/room capacity, and more. We will share common organizational challenges and how to address them, such as substandard documented processes, training, expectations, and communications. The speaker will cite examples from oncology studies and how processes can be implemented in an animal management software. Topics covered will include generation of specific mice models, setting criteria for study inclusion, and easily and accurately collecting data with implantable chip readers, electronic scale, and Bluetooth calipers. The target audience is technicians, veterinary care staff, facility managers, and researchers, with a special focus on those working on oncology studies. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Brain & Software International.
TRACK II
Listening to Washroom Planning Stakeholders: How Understanding Inputs Can Transform Standard Equipment into Innovative Solutions
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Speaker: Andrew Arvanites Moderator: Massimo Ferrari We will explore how redesigned washing machine technology will positively impact vivarium operations and expenditures through collected input from important stakeholders. A growing awareness of the total cost of ownership (TCO), which includes cost per item, cost per cycle, and conscious energy use, has led facility managers,
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
architects, planners, washroom operators, maintenance staff, and validation engineers to envision the washing machine of the future. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Tecniplast USA.
Alternate Lighting Conundrums: Addressing an Institution's Needs
1:20 PM - 1:40 PM Speaker: E Douglas Allen Moderator: Perry Spires Managing space and resources in a laboratory animal facility often requires adapting to everchanging institutional needs. Unique studies requiring an alternate lighting schedule, lighting intensity, defined wavelengths, or astronomical conditions that are inconsistent with the general lighting plan for the majority of animals may pose a unique problem in meeting the protocol objectives. Space availability, protocol scope, the influence of external light sources, and other critical needs factors associated with the protocol may be confounding factors and are among the many complications presented. Solutions can be as simplistic as allocating a space of adquate size and complexity to meet the study objectives. However, it may be a more complex solution is required. This presentation focuses on alternate approaches that can address space allocation and utilization, mitigate these factors, and meet protocol objectives. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Lab Products, LLC.
Peroxigard Disinfectants: Your First Line of Defense against Corynebacterium bovis
1:40 PM - 2:00 PM Speaker: Matthew Buccioni Moderator: Perry Spires With the potential to cause devastation to lab animal research, Corynebacterium bovis (C. bovis) has deservedly earned a reputation as one of the top pathogens of concern to life sciences facilities, often claiming a spot on facility bioexclusion lists. Also known as “scaly skin disease," this bacterial infection causes dermatitis in mice and rats and can also cause include weight loss and decreased transplantable tumor take C. bovis can be transmitted from one animal to the next through contaminated surfaces and equipment. As such, cleaning and disinfection are a vital cornerstone in preventing infection. Despite this, environmental surfaces are too often overlooked in the fight against C. bovis and a wide range of other pathogens, leaving a critical gap in facility biosafety protocols. Selecting a disinfectant such as Peroxigard, that is effective against C. bovis and other key pathogens, plays a critical role in preventing infection but it is equally important to pair your disinfectant with the proper protocols. By revisiting the basics of implementing cleaning and disinfection protocols, outbreaks of C. bovis and a multitude of other pathogens of concern can be successfully prevented and controlled, helping laboratory professionals safeguard their research. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Lighthouse Life Sciences (Proudly Representing Peroxigard).
Applications for Incorporating Ultraviolet Light Disinfection into a Vivarium
2:00 PM - 2:20 PM Speaker: Emily Lorcheim Moderator: Kevin Lorcheim Ultraviolet light offers a rapid, chemical-free disinfection application that vivaria can apply in many areas of the facility. The first component to be understood is the way that ultraviolet works to achieve kill. ClorDiSys will detail the mode of action and what happens during an exposure. Also detailed are the considerations needed to be taken in order to achieve proper kill. This will include an understanding of the best type of device to choose and how to position it, as well as the time expose needed. Alongside these considerations are what the potential impact the addition of ultraviolet light could have to your facility. Potential benefits include a reduction of costs, increased effectiveness due to a lack of potential human error, and increased disinfection of applications facility do not currently consider. The speaker will also cover innovative methods for bringing items into a vivaria that save time and increase efficacy and improve sanitation. This includes how to design a UV-C disinfection room, passthrough, conveyor system for bedding bags or other tools, chambers, and more. Also being discussed will be ways to validate the UV-C disinfection process to help show that the facility is indeed showing improvement in its sanitation. The main benefits to ultraviolet light disinfection are speed, effectiveness, and lack of chemicals needed. It is simple and can increase a facilities sanitation efforts in a dramatic way without needing to exhaust time or expenses. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by ClorDiSys Solutions, Inc.
It's Foggy Business: Understanding Proper Implementation of Gaseous Biodecontamination in Your Unique Facility
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM Speaker: Frances M Grinstead Moderator: Richard Mullen Understanding the differences between gaseous biodecontamination technologies can be confusing, and implementing these potent, but necessary, systems can be intimidating. Some facilities may employ legacy products not fully understood by newer staff; other facilities may have seldom-used equipment lurking in their closets for fear of implementing them; still more may be considering replacing discontinued systems or upgrading to new, lower-concentration technologies. Join us for a candid presentation comparing the most used gaseous systems to discern the challenges and attributes associated with each, as presented in peer-reviewed articles. Through this compilation of data, we will explore new emerging HHP™ technology to see how it measures against legacy products in necropsy suites, laboratories, and equipment found in animal life science facilities. Using fact-based, science-driven data, attendees will clarify key factors that affect safety, efficacy, and feasibility, such as chemistry, concentration, and delivery method. This presentation is ideal for facility directors, veterinarians, and researchers in charge of maintaining the integrity of the research environment, from whole-laboratory spaces to specific equipment. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by CURIS System, LLC.
Understand All Options for Upgrading Your Autoclaves
2:40 PM - 3:00 PM Speaker: David Larson Moderator: Perry Spires Investing in simple and reliable autoclaves for proper sterilization is an essential component of laboratories and vivariums. As equipment ages it becomes less energy efficient, interrupts workflow, and parts fail with increased frequency. Eventually the autoclave becomes obsolete altogether. For many organizations, there is a convention that the only option is to purchase a new autoclave. The problem with this idea is twofold: retiring an existing autoclave before true end of usable life expectancy can be a waste of viable
parts and components. In addition, removal and installation of new equipment adds unnecessary disruptions and expenses. However, Beta Star specializes in a systematic evaluation of your current autoclave. Control systems, piping systems, components, and chamber integrity are thoroughly evaluated. While each evaluation is unique to tailored to each autoclave, we follow a systematic process to verify the usability of all autoclave components. This evaluation includes verifying existing utilities for functional quality, capacity, and pressures. Pending the viability of the chamber and jacket, Beta Star presents two paths for autoclave refurbishment: A control upgrade or a control rebuild. A control upgrade improves the operator’s user experience, with updated software and hardware, but reuses the autoclaves piping and components. Alternatively, a control rebuild is completed by Beta Star when component and/or piping is beyond usable life. The control system and required components and piping are replaced for new autoclave functionality. Both options reduce waste and create a reliable autoclave, with less disruption, at a fraction of the cost of a new autoclave. This process can be followed for any autoclave, regardless of the original manufacturer. Come learn about our process, and how it could be applied to autoclaves in your facility. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Beta Star Life Science Equipment.
The Possible Effects of Bedding Enrichment on Research Reproducibility
3:00 PM - 3:20 PM Speaker: Joel M Shepherd Moderator: Perry Spires There is a reproducibility crisis in NIH funded animal research. Shepherd will be exploring possible contributors and/or solutions to this crisis that may come from bedding and rodent enrichment items. Areas of focus in the discussion will include chemical and biological contaminants, material composition, and enrichment value. Attendees will learn that several commonly held views in the industry regarding bedding and rodent enrichment, need to be modernized and updated. Our target audience is directors, veterinarians, operations management, and curious animal technicians. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Shepherd Specialty Papers.
The Change Station as a Hub of Communication in the Animal Room
3:20 PM - 3:40 PM Speaker: Stephan E Hammelbacher Moderator: Perry Spires A substantial part of the communication concerning animals in experiments takes place in/at the change station. By communication, we mean the creation and the exchange of data concerning these animals and signaling of special states, services, and discrepancies, etc. This internal and external communication with other participants has a direct influence on the refinement of the animals. Since communication in a clean room takes place under difficult working conditions, the efficiency of information exchange is very important. Here, the type of communication, standardization, and especially automation play an important role. Different systems with incompatible interfaces are often an obstacle to communication. Additional electronic equipment carries the risk of additional contamination bridges and interrupted hygiene. We will show the status of development and considerations using electronic cage cards as dynamic representatives of cages and contents and their integration into a modern change station as a communication hub. The targeted audience is researchers, animal welfare officers, and animal caretakers. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Galilei Software GmbH.
Humanized Immune System Mice: How to Maximize Experimental Success
3:40 PM - 4:00 PM Speaker: Emily Shako Moderator: Terrance Receveur Humanized immune system (HIS) mice are powerful tools for preclinical research, particularly in immuno-oncology. HIS mice can support the engraftment of both human immune cells and human tumors, from cell lines to patient-derived xenografts (PDX), allowing efficacy assessment and mechanistic investigation of immune-modulating therapies. However, these valuable models are very sensitive and require special housing, husbandry, and care for maximum experimental success. This presentation will cover practical matters related to use of HIS mice from the perspective of one of the world’s largest humanization labs. It will also touch on study design considerations related to use of slow growing tumors in xenograft efficacy studies with HIS mice. The intended audience for this presentation includes both lab animal professionals and researchers who are interested in using HIS mice. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Taconic Biosciences, Inc.
Introduction to Microsurgical Instruments: Alloys and Unique Tools for Research
4:00 PM - 4:20 PM Speaker: Edward Dy Moderator: Perry Spires There are various alloys used to make microsurgical instruments for research with each having certain properties that would be advantages in particular environment or application. We will introduce these alloys, describe their benefits, and highlight unique tools for particular procedures that may be ergonomical, easier, and reproducible for your studies or protocols. This Technical Trade Presentation is sponsored in part by Fine Science Tools.
MONDAY MORNING
WORKSHOPS
W-01 Impacting the Outcome: Enhancing Motivation and Conflict Resolution
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Leader: Alf C Johnson Faculty: Jo R Craig, Clifford R Roberts, Elizabeth V Roberts Facilitator: TBN Workshop Fee: $150 Workshop Limit: 50 The most reliable indicators that vivarium services will develop and sustain excellence is whether or not employees feel supported, motivated, and enrolled in the mission and vision of the vivarium. This workshop will show how vivaria leaders and managers can enhance the motivation and participation of their staff in identifying and resolving conflicts that impact operations, mission, and vision. A specific goal will be to provide vivaria leaders and managers innovative methods to accomplish these tasks. We will use an interactive approach, with attendees asked to apply the concepts that will be introduced. Together, we will focus on determining and implementing facility-specific core values and behaviors to enhance cooperation among vivaria staff and address challenges that confront leadership and management. The challenges of diversity, equity, and inclusivity; changing nature of the work; allocation of limited resources; and growth, training and development of staff are all impacted by unrealized employee values. This workshop will encourage discussion through illustrations of the effective use of employee agreed-on core values for maximizing participation in building an effective organizational culture. Target audience is directors or managers of vivaria, veterinary nurses, senior to mid-level supervisors, and vivarium staff interested in improving collaborative efforts Attendees will learn that core values and behaviors developed collaboratively are a valuable method to enhance cooperation and cohesion. To improve teamwork and ownership of roles and responsibilities in the vivarium.
W-02 Perioperative Monitoring during Anesthesia with Large Animals
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Leader: Cholawat Pacharinsak Faculty: Patrick E Sharp Facilitator: TBN Workshop Fee: $150 Workshop Limit: 25 Anesthetic monitoring is one of the key components for providing safer anesthesia. Safer anesthesia starts with anesthetists monitoring patients from premedication to recovery. Anesthetic monitoring can alert anesthetists to developing complications so they can take the necessary actions to correct complications before they become irreversible. Therefore, appropriate monitoring requires anesthetists to have a thorough understanding of the various monitoring equipment, including the interpretation of the information generated. This workshop will focus on basic laboratory animal (including, pigs, sheep, NHPs, rabbits, and dogs) monitoring methods, including ECG, direct and indirect blood pressure, ETCO2, %SpO2, and body temperature. This dry workshop is suited for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, IACUC members, and scientists. This Workshop is sponsored in part by Kent Scientific.
Exhibit Hall Refreshment Break!
8:30 a.m.– 10:30 a.m. Sponsored by NEPCO
SEMINARS
Bats: Animal Models for Emerging Diseases
8:00 AM - 10:15 AM Leader/Moderator: Lon V Kendall Facilitator: TBN Pathogens transmitted by bat vectors continue to burden the health of humans around the world and put us at risk of emerging zoonotic diseases. Many zoonotic viruses have been shown to originate from bats, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Nipah virus, and Hendra virus. It is highly likely that SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic also originated in bats. These models provide unique perspectives on viral pathogenesis. Bats have also been used to study indigenous diseases and ecology. Housing of these models can also be challenging which prompted the creation of the Chiropteran Research Facility to serve as a national resource for bat models. Attendees will gain an understanding of design features of animal facilities to meet the unique needs of various species of bats and how these models can advance our understanding of health, disease, and ecology.
Speakers/Topics: 8:00 Lon V Kendall Welcome and Introductions 8:05 Lon V Kendall Facility Design for the Bat Resource Center 8:30 Jon Epstein Bat Reservoirs for Zoonotic Diseases 8:55 Tony Schountz Bats as Models for Emerging Diseases 9:20 Elizabeth Falendysz Big Brown Bats as Research Models 9:45 DeeAnn M Reeder Bats: Animal Models for Emerging Diseases
Flowing into Aquatics
8:00 AM - 10:15 AM Leader: Joshua R Barber Moderator: Marcus J Crim Facilitator: Christine Archer Our goal to standardize and further the widespread use of zebrafish in the laboratory. The laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio) continues to expand into many biomedical research areas, including oncology research. Many institutions are housing zebrafish colonies for the first time, whereas other institutions are now transitioning from small, decentralized principal investigator-run facilities into larger, centralized, multi-investigator zebrafish core facilities. This seminar will address practical considerations in several key areas, including research support, water quality parameters and life support systems, husbandry, documentation practices, and colony health management. We will equip the audience with the necessary information to start and maintain a successful zebrafish colony with an emphasis of avoiding major pitfalls that commonly occur without proper expertise. We will first cover regulations and documentation as it relates to zebrafish work as well as common staffing paradigms. Second, we will teach proper husbandry practices such as feeding, breeding, cleaning, and enrichment. Thirdly we will cover facility design, maintenance of zebrafish systems, and water quality parameters. Lastly, we will delve into animal health concerns and sentinel monitoring in aquatics. The target audience will include
laboratory animal veterinarians, facility managers, and animal husbandry staff, as well as animal welfare policy and compliance personnel.
Speakers/Topics: 8:00 Marcus J Crim Welcome and Introductions 8:05 Diana P Baumann Management, Regulations, Documentation, and Staffing Your Aquatics Facility 8:30 Logan Fehrenbach Zebrafish Husbandry and Feeding 8:55 Hugh Hammer Physical Plant and Life Support Systems Overview 9:20 Marcus J Crim Animal Health and Technical Procedures in Aquatics This Seminar is sponsored in part by Zebrafish Husbandry Association (ZHA).
The Critical Role of Social Media in Forming Animal Research Opinions and Evolving Our Own Strategies to Improve Effectiveness
8:00 AM - 10:15 AM Leader/Moderator: Paula A Clifford Facilitator: TBN Social media is a powerful communications tool allowing organizations and private citizens to rapidly and broadly express their views. Animal research opponents have used social media to share messages and images aimed at influencing public opinion. They also use various social media channels to organize protest events and raise funds. Because, unlike traditional media, these communications vehicles lack editors or other systems to filter out misleading or false information, misinformation campaigns are increasingly influencing public perceptions about animal studies in a negative way. These social media campaigns frequently capitalize off existing political biases and controversies. For example, several groups have sought to use false claims about the pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccines to their advantage. This session will explore how social media impacts public opinion and how the research community needs to urgently evolve strategies to counteract false messages and damaging claims. Presenters will cite case studies from events in the US and the UK to illustrate social media’s strong influence and what our community can do about it. For example, after many quiet years, the UK is currently seeing a rise in animal rights protest and activism. Social media is helping the protestors organize and publicize their campaigns. But the animal research community is also using social media tools to counter misinformation and explain why and how animals are used in cancer research, vaccine development, and other vital medical progress. Tips will be offered on connecting animal research to medical advancements along with advice for addressing unwanted attention on social media. The target audience for this program is anyone in the animal research community who takes part in social media, professionally or personally, or would like to. It is also for those who wish to gain a better understanding of how social media influences public opinion.
Speakers/Topics: 8:00 Paula A Clifford Welcome and Introductions 8:25 Jim Newman Strategies and Tips for Animal Research Communications Online
8:45 Wendy J Jarrett How Social Media Has Changed the Protest Landscape for Better and Worse in the UK 9:05 Logan K France Personal Experience and Strategies Using Social Media to Celebrate Animal Research Contributions 9:25 Lisa Newbern Social Media and Public Opinion This Seminar is sponsored in part by Americans for Medical Research (AMP) and Understanding Animal Research.
PLATFORM SESSIONS
Monday, October 24, 8:00 AM - 10:45 AM Platform Session abstracts will be available on www.aalas.org in July. They will also be included in both the mobile app and the National Meeting Final Program.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Pathology Quiz Bowl
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Leaders: Marcia L Hart, Bettina A Gentry Moderator: Craig L Franklin Facilitator: Sarah Hansen Panelist: Marcia L Hart, Craig L Franklin, Bettina A Gentry This panel discussion will consist of an informal review of the pathology of laboratory animals in the form of an image-based quiz. Topics will include lesions of well described infectious and noninfectious diseases, pathological manifestations of emerging diseases, and selected phenotypic characteristics of important genetically engineered animal models. The images will be educational and challenging to laboratory animal specialists at all levels of pathology expertise. Targeted audience is comparative medicine trainees, laboratory animal veterinarians, pathologists, and scientists. Participants from comparative medicine training programs can receive a fabulous cash prize for the highest score. A participation cash prize is also provided. Participants will learn gross and histologic pathology of laboratory animals.
SPECIAL TOPIC LECTURES
Charles C Hunter Lecture: Tissue Vaccines for Cancer
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Speaker: Mark A Suckow Moderator: Leslie S Bird Facilitator: TBN The idea that the immune system can be strategically harnessed as an approach to cancer treatment has recently received great attention. A significant challenge is posed to this approach by the antigenic diversity and evolutionary capability of many tumors. While tumors may share some common antigens, all may not be therapeutically relevant. Indeed, tumors can be complex tissues that carry many antigenic targets. For this reason, preparations derived directly from harvested tumor tissue have been used to stimulate
