Shows
Rad ChatE134: Dr. Carol Box - Facilitating Biological Experiments at the Institute of Cancer Research, UK.**Trigger Warning**Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara catch up with Dr. Carol Box part of Education and Workforce Development series (part 50).Discussion about Carol’s career, biological experiments at the Institute of Cancer Research and future research within pre-clinical Radiotherapy research. To use this podcast as CPD, look at these reflection points: 1) reflect on models of cancer that are used in research.2) consider the use of animal models in cancer research.3) read this paper on microbeam radiotherapy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...2024-07-0142 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - What type of role models do we need in academia?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Kamar's blog explores the critical issue of the lack of diversity in academia, particularly within STEM fields, and the role of role models in addressing these disparities. Highlighting the specific challenges faced by women and racial/ethnic minorities, she discusses the importance of role models who reflect diverse demographic characteristics to inspire and guide underrepresented groups.
Kamar argues that having role models in senior academic positions can help challenge the status quo and break the cycle of underrepresentation, thus fostering a more inclusive and diverse...2024-05-2406 min
Synapsen – ein Wissenschaftspodcast(98) Tierwohl: Gut gemeint ist nicht immer gutTierschutz ist als Staatsziel im Grundgesetz verankert. Doch in der Praxis sind wir oft weit davon entfernt.
Schon eine veränderte Fellfarbe geht manchmal mit Gendefekten einher, die Tieren langfristig chronische Schmerzen bereiten können. Eine Gesetzesnovelle soll die Qualzucht eindämmen, doch das Hauptproblem könnte das fehlende Wissen vieler Tierhalter sein.
Die Wissenschaftsjournalistin und Tiermedizinerin Karin Elli Lason hat recherchiert, was wir genau unter Tierwohl verstehen und wie viel Evidenz in politischen Entscheidungen zur Kastration von Ferkeln steckt. Im Gespräch mit Host Lucie Kluth berichtet sie von der lindernden Operation einer Bulldogge und ihrem Besuch bei einem Forsc...2024-04-191h 17
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Implementing Patient & Public Involvement as a lab scientistDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Kamar helps us discover how Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) can revolutionise laboratory research, leading to breakthroughs that resonate more deeply with the needs of society. Engage in this critical dialogue to elevate the quality and impact of scientific discovery. #PPI #ResearchWithImpact
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-to-implement-patient-public-involvement-as-a-lab-scientist/
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is a Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Teesside University & Affiliate Researcher at Glasgow University. In addition...2024-04-1509 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - British Neuropathological Society Meeting HighlightsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
At the 125th meeting of the British Neuropathological Society, leading experts gathered to share recent advancements in neuropathology. The symposium, preceding the meeting, offered fresh perspectives on neurodegeneration. Notable talks included insights into cognition and dementia risk, transcriptomics in human neurodegeneration, and molecular mechanisms in disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. The following sessions highlighted the importance of diverse diagnostic antibodies in Parkinson’s disease and discussed the neuroinflammatory response to traumatic brain injury.
Kam shares highlights in this blog, with indepth analysis and a review of p...2024-02-1908 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - When to say “no” to new opportunitiesDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Kamar explores the delicate balance between seizing opportunities and setting boundaries. Discover her journey from a PhD student to a lecturer, and learn the art of saying "no" to opportunities that don't align with personal and professional growth. This blog offers a unique perspective on managing workload and avoiding burnout in academia, emphasising the importance of strategic decision-making. An essential read, with lessons for academics at any stage of their career.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
2024-01-1106 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Recent advances in Alzheimer’s treatments: Game-changers or false hope?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In Kamar's latest blog post, the recent advances in Alzheimer's treatments are put under the microscope. While some herald these new drugs as breakthroughs, the blog questions the extent of their effectiveness and safety. Drawing on data and firsthand experience, it explores whether these treatments truly offer hope or merely fuel false expectations. A must-read for those seeking a balanced view on Alzheimer's research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-alzheimers-treatments-game-changers-or-false-hope/
...2023-10-2708 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Barriers to Innovation and what this means for dementia researchDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Explore a realm of scientific innovation and the challenges it faces. In this blog Kamar delves into scientists' resistance to new methods in dementia research, dissecting funding biases and cultural inertia that hinder progress. Discover the push for an open-minded approach to revolutionise scientific exploration and advance dementia research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-barriers-to-innovation-what-it-means-for-dementia-research/
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is a Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Teesside University...2023-08-2907 min
Medical Device made Easy PodcastHow to perform your Cleaning Validation in practice?
Medical Devices that are reusable should be cleaned. But the user is not a professional of your product so he needs to receive some instruction on how to clean it. In this episode of the podcast we will explain to you what is cleaning validation and also talk about microbiology, electrical device cleaning, Notified Body issues…
So let’s listen to Enrico Allegra from TestLabs who will share with us his experience.
Who is Enrico Allegra?
Enrico has over 10 years of experience in regulatory microbiology combining environmental safety with clinical settings as a stud...2023-08-2900 minMedical Device made Easy PodcastHow to perform your Cleaning Validation in practice?
Medical Devices that are reusable should be cleaned. But the user is not a professional of your product so he needs to receive some instruction on how to clean it. In this episode of the podcast we will explain to you what is cleaning validation and also talk about microbiology, electrical device cleaning, Notified Body issues…
So let’s listen to Enrico Allegra from TestLabs who will share with us his experience.
Who is Enrico Allegra?
Enrico has over 10 years of experience in regulatory microbiology combining environmental safety with clinical settings as a stud...2023-08-2900 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Improving clinician-academic partnerships to advance dementia researchDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Discover the path to groundbreaking dementia research in the latest blog from Kamar Ameen-Ali. Kam delves into the crucial role clinicians play in driving clinical research forward. Unveiling the challenges and opportunities of collaboration, Kam draws from firsthand experiences, showcasing how effective partnerships between clinicians and academics can bridge the gap between theory and practice. Through insightful anecdotes and practical insights, this blog unlocks the potential for transformative progress in dementia research, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to unlock breakthroughs that could change lives.
F...2023-08-0805 min
Neuroverse54. Animal Models in Neuroscience ResearchIn this week's episode, Carolina and Clara discuss the variety of model organisms that are used in scientific research and the unique advantages of each model. They also touch upon how ethics guides the use of animals in research, including the importance of the NC3Rs. And they explore some of the more unique animal studies that have informed research in unexpected ways, including understanding social learning by studying how bees dance, understanding ageing by studying social castes in ants, and more!
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We hope you enjoy the episode! Please feel free...2023-07-1322 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Pivoting your research areaDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Dr Kam discusses the process of pivoting research areas during postdoctoral positions and highlights the significance of leveraging existing skills whilst developing new ones to pursue specific research interests. She emphasises the challenges and opportunities that come with transitioning between research areas, and the need to quickly familiarise oneself with new fields, design studies, choose appropriate methods, and interpret results. Why is this important? Well it's a potential necessity of due to the precarious nature of early career researcher positions, just ask anyone who...2023-07-0606 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Should you apply for a Lectureship?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
If you are looking to pursue a career in academia, it's not just about teaching and research. Kamar, a lecturer in biomedical science at Teesside University, shares her experience and insights on obtaining a permanent academic position. In her blog, she highlights the different routes to obtaining permanent positions, such as fellowships, and provides key advice on applying for lectureships. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to pursue a career in academia and understands the challenges and opportunities available in the field.
Find...2023-05-1708 min
Ask Your MentorAsk Your Mentor - Dr Kamar Ameen-AliAsk Your Mentor Podcast, from Dementia Researcher, in association with Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK). Mentees interviewing their mentors, talking careers, lessons learned and what they’ve discovered, that could help you forge a successful career in dementia research.
In this podcast PhD Student Elizabeth (Lizzie) English from University of Cambridge interviews her mentor (and regular Dementia Researcher Blogger) Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali, Lecturer at Teeside University.
Lizzie is a PhD candidate at University of Cambridge and a proud first-generation student. Her PhD project is attempting to characterise disease-associated protein aggregates throughout the time-course of Alzheimer’s Disease, in terms of aggre...2023-04-2852 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - What is an ‘Early Career Researcher’?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
One of the most significant and prevailing challenges in academia over the last 10 years or so, has centred around how best to support early career researchers (ECRs) in an evolving landscape which has increasingly shifted towards a reliance on temporary insecure contracts, increasing workloads, and real terms drop in salaries. The criteria for defining who falls under the category of ‘ECR’ varies across institutions and organisations, and this is important if we need to identify where support is needed, and who to provide it to. In this blog...2023-04-1907 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Using immunohistochemistry to understand disease pathologyDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Immunohistochemistry is both an experimental and diagnostic technique which is frequently used in research and clinical pathology laboratories. In this blog Kamar provides an introduction to immunohistochemistry and describes how it is used to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases post-mortem, with examples of how it has been used in her own experimental research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-using-immunohistochemistry-to-understand-disease-pathology/
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is a Lecturer in Biomedical Science at...2023-03-1006 min
3 Minute 3RsAssessing enrichment, consolidating animal research guidance and understanding mouse aggressionFebruary 2023 The papers behind the pod: Hobbiesiefken U et al. (2023). Rating enrichment items by female group-housed laboratory mice in multiple binary choice tests using an RFID-based tracking system. PloS one 18(1): e0278709. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278709Petkov C et al. (2022). Unified ethical principles and an animal research ‘Helsinki’ declaration as foundations for international collaboration. Current Research in Neurobiology 3:100060. doi: 10.1016/j.crneur.2022.100060Weber E et al. (2023). Aggression in Group-Housed Male Mice: A Systematic Review. Animals 13(1):143. doi: 10.3390/ani13010143It’s the third Thursday of February and you’re listening to the final episode of 3 minute 3...2023-02-1604 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Peer Reviewing Grant ApplicationsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Kam was recently asked to peer review a grant by a major UK research funder. This was not something she had been asked to do before, and it made her realise the sheer number of tasks required of us in academia that we simply get zero training or guidance on. In this blog, Kamar pulls together her experience of grant peer reviewing and provides guidance that will hopefully be helpful to other new reviewers.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
2023-01-3006 min3 Minute 3RsReplacing animal-derived reagents, simulating in utero microinjections and clicker training for mouse gait assessmentJanuary 2023 The papers behind the pod: Cassotta M et al. (2022). A worldwide survey on the use of animal-derived materials and reagents in scientific experimentation. Engineering in Life Sciences 22(9):561-604. doi: 10.1002/elsc.202100167 Nuber M et al. (2022). Development of a 3D simulator for training the mouse in utero electroporation. PLOS One 17(12): e0279004. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279004Dickmann J et al. (2022). Clicker Training Mice for Improved Compliance in the Catwalk Test. Animals 12(24): 3545. doi: 10.3390/ani12243545Happy New Year to all 3 Minute 3Rs listeners. It’s 2023, and we’re back with three more papers highlighting efforts...2023-01-1904 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali blog - Why ECRs need good mentorsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Recent years have seen various mentoring schemes pop up in academia both within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and through organisations and charities. This has, in part, been in response to a changing landscape over the last decade or so, which has seen an increase in precarious contract-based employment for early career researchers (ECRs), resulting in many talented scientists leaving academia for better-paid secure employment where they feel valued. In this blog Kam shares her experience of being part of two different mentoring schemes and discusses why ECRs...2023-01-1608 min3 Minute 3RsKidney organoid vascularisation, implementing masking and quantitatively assessing experiment severityDecember 2022The papers behind the pod: Menéndez ABC et al. (2022). Creating a kidney organoid-vasculature interaction model using a novel organ-on-chip system. Scientific Reports 12:20699. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24945-5Karp N et al. (2022). A qualitative study of the barriers to using blinding in in vivo experiments and suggestions for improvement. PLOS Biology 20(11): e3001873. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001873Talbot S et al. (2022). RELSA—A multidimensional procedure for the comparative assessment of well-being and the quantitative determination of severity in experimental procedures. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9:937711. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.937711 It’s the third Thursday of December, and...2022-12-1504 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Should failure be normalised in academia?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Kam is currently in the depths of that feeling most, if not all, academics experience throughout their careers, the feeling of failing. Three hits in as many months is enough to give anyone pause for thought! A grant application that doesn't get through to the next round, failure to get a paper published, and then an internal grant rejection. There are so many ways to fail in academia, and so many of us experience failure, often repeatedly. So in this month’s blog Kam asks the question: sh...2022-12-0505 min3 Minute 3RsAssessing pain, living systematic reviews and inducing focal hypoxia in human neuronsNovember 2022The papers behind the pod: Aulehner K et al. (2022). Grimace scale, burrowing, and nest building for the assessment of post-surgical pain in mice and rats—A systematic review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9:930005. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.930005Hair K et al. (2022). ‘Living’ evidence frameworks for in vivo animal research: towards translational evidence-based medicine. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine 2022;27:A17. doi: 10.1136/ebm-2022-EBMLive.31 Wong J et al. (2022). Electrochemically induced in vitro focal hypoxia in human neurons. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 10:968341. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.968341It’s the third Thursday of November, and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs...2022-11-1704 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Advances in digital cognitive assessments for dementia diagnosisDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Historically, cognitive assessments for dementia diagnosis have relied on pencil and paper measures administered by a clinician. These tests are designed to evaluate various cognitive domains, such as memory, visuospatial abilities, and language, and should indicate whether there are potential signs of dementia. However, performance on these tests can be strongly influenced by other factors, such as cultural background or educational level. There are questions relating to whether such tests have the sensitivity to detect early stages of diseases, like Alzheimer’s, which is crucial if this is...2022-11-1006 min3 Minute 3RsStatistical planning, human cell cultures for toxoplasma and preventing boredom in laboratory rodentsOctober 2022The papers behind the pod: Piper, SK et al. (2022). Statistical review of animal trials—A guideline. Biometrical Journal https://doi.org/10.1002/bimj.202200061 Gargaté MJ et al. (2022). Parallel Propagation of Toxoplasma gondii In Vivo, In Vitro and in Alternate Model: Towards Less Dependence on the Mice Model. Pathogens https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11091038 Mieske P et al. et al. (2022). Bored at home?—A systematic review on the effect of environmental enrichment on the welfare of laboratory rats and mice. Frontiers in Veterinary Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.899219 It’s the third T...2022-10-2004 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Writing my first grant applicationDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Kam has written and submitted her first grant application. Well… kind of. The first stage only required 1-2 page outlines, brief costings, and abstracts. But nevertheless, this is a big milestone in academia, one that is statistically likely to result in failure. In this blog, Kam describes how she went about writing her first grant application and some tips to help overcome some common challenges (and manage expectations).
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk...2022-10-1408 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - From Postdoc to LecturerDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In February 2022 Kamar started a new academic position as a lecturer in biomedical science at Teesside University. This marks a significant step-up both in terms of opportunities it would present, and the new challenges she would face. In this blog, Kamar shares her experience of the first six months of my lectureship. This might be helpful for anyone wanting to know what they can expect, and how you can balance the work, and keeping your research interests alive.
Find the original text, and narration here...2022-09-1506 min3 Minute 3RsLarger species refinement special: improving the welfare of rabbits, non-human primates and sheepSeptember 2022The papers behind the pod: Pinho RH et al. (2022). Validation of the rabbit pain behaviour scale (RPBS) to assess acute postoperative pain in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). PLoS ONE 17(5): e0268973. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268973 Stull C, Heagerty A and Coleman K (2022). Video Conference Technology as a Tool for Pair Introduction in Rhesus Macaques. Animals 12(14): e1783. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12141783 Zentrich E et al. (2022). Postoperative Severity Assessment in Sheep. European Surgical Research, in press. https://doi.org/10.1159/000526058 It’s the third Thursday of September, and you’re listening to 3 Mi...2022-09-1504 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - How academic misconduct affects ECRsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Dementia research has been in the news again. Sadly, there is no promising new drug on the horizon, and no new breakthrough in our understanding of the brain diseases, like Alzheimer’s, which lead to dementia. Instead, we find ourselves shocked by an investigation into what has become a high-profile case of potential academic misconduct in our field. This case has been widely reported in the press, but what hasn't been discussed is how early career researchers (ECRs) are affected by academic misconduct. In this blog, Kamar di...2022-08-1906 min3 Minute 3RsBetter behavioural research, imaging with microbots and how housing density affects mouse microbiomesAugust 2022The papers behind the pod: Arjmand S et al. (2022). Tips and traps for behavioural animal experimentation. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, in press. https://doi.org/10.1017/neu.2022.4Wrede P et al. (2022). Real-time 3D optoacoustic tracking of cell-sized magnetic microrobots circulating in the mouse brain vasculature. Science Advances 8(19). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abm9132 Russell A et al. (2022). Reduced housing density improves statistical power of murine gut microbiota studies. Cell Reports 39(6): e110783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110783It’s the third Thursday of August, and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly recap of eff...2022-08-1804 min3 Minute 3Rs3Rs Prize: A benchtop organ-on-a-chip fabrication method and an ex vivo model of focal demyelinationJuly 2022The papers behind the pod: Ferreira DA et al. (2021). Alternative to Soft Lithography for the Fabrication of Organ-on-a-Chip Elastomeric-Based Devices and Microactuators. Advanced Science 8:2003273. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202003273Eigel D et al. (2019). Cryogel scaffolds for regionally constrained delivery of lysophosphatidylcholine to central nervous system slice cultures: A model of focal demyelination for multiple sclerosis research. Acta Biomaterialia 97:216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2019.08.030It’s the third Thursday of July, and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly recap of efforts to replace, reduce, and refine the use of anima...2022-07-2104 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Is it time to look at alternatives to rodent models for dementia breakthroughs?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Modelling human disease in animals has significantly advanced our understanding of major diseases and ways of treating them. Mammalian model systems, like mice, continue to be the dominant model of choice, with 79% of experimental and breeding procedures using rats or mice in Great Britain in 2020. However, these traditional models can be bottlenecks in the research pipeline, delaying progress in areas where effective therapeutics are desperately needed. In a previous blog, Kamar questioned whether a reliance on animal models, specifically mice, had delayed progress in dementia research. Now...2022-07-0106 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Do you have to be a good writer to be a successful academic?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Are there are some days when all you feel you do is write? We imagine the life of a scientist is spent in the lab running experiments and making discoveries. The reality is far different. The further along Kam progresses in her career, the more time she spends outside the lab and in the office. Writing. But what is she writing about and how do you know if you're any good at it? In this blog Kam considers whether being good at writing is necessary to be...2022-06-2206 min3 Minute 3RsHumane intervention points, virtual gene knockout and ex vivo brain slices for Parkinson's researchJune 2022The papers behind the pod: Williams WO and Baneux P (2022). Humane Intervention Points: Refining endpoint terminology to incorporate non-euthanasia intervention options to improve animal welfare and preserve experimental outcomes. Laboratory Animals, in press. https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772221090801 Osorio D et al. (2022). scTenifoldKnk: An efficient virtual knockout tool for gene function predictions via single-cell gene regulatory network perturbation. Patterns 3(3): e100434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2022.100434Moudio S et al. (2022). Exposure of α-Synuclein Aggregates to Organotypic Slice Cultures Recapitulates Key Molecular Features of Parkinson's Disease. Frontiers in Neurology 13: e826102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.826102 It’s the t...2022-06-1604 min3 Minute 3RsMicrobrains for neurotoxicity testing, improved experimental design, and post-op severity assessmentMay 2022 The papers behind the pod: Wang, Q et al. (2022). Assessment of a 3D neural spheroid model to detect pharmaceutical-induced neurotoxicity. ALTEX 39. https://doi.org/10.14573/altex.2112221 Reynolds P.S. (2022) Between two stools: preclinical research, reproducibility, and statistical design of experiments. BMC Res. Notes 15, 73. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-022-05965-w Tappe-Theodor, A. et al. (2022) The “WWHow” Concept for Prospective Categorization of Post-operative Severity Assessment in Mice and Rats. Front. Vet. Sci. 9, 841431. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.841431It’s the third Thursday of May, and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly re...2022-05-1904 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - The importance of including both sexes in preclinical dementia researchDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In biomedical research there has historically been a tendency towards sole inclusion of males, particularly in preclinical animal studies. The reason has often centred on the potential variability of females relating to fluctuations in hormones which could confound the data. But could this bias towards studying males account for poor translation of preclinical to clinical research? In this blog Kamar discusses the importance of including both sexes in preclinical research, and why this might significantly advance progress in dementia research.
Find the original text, and...2022-05-0307 min3 Minute 3RsHow environment and experimenter affect reproducibility, ex vivo adipocytes, and rodent enrichmentApril 2022The papers behind the pod: Nigri M et al. (2022). Role of Environment and Experimenter in Reproducibility of Behavioral Studies With Laboratory Mice. Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience 16: e835444. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.835444 Vámos A et al. (2022) Mitophagy Mediates the Beige to White Transition of Human Primary Subcutaneous Adipocytes Ex Vivo. Pharmaceuticals 15(3): 363. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15030363 Ratuski AS and Weary DM (2022) Environmental Enrichment for Rats and Mice Housed in Laboratories: A Metareview. Animals 12(4): 414. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12040414 It’s the third Thursday of April, and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly recap o...2022-04-2104 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Do equality, diversity & inclusion policies provide sufficient support for ECRs?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Over recent years academic institutions have increasingly sought to establish policies to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives amongst students and university staff. On paper, this sounds like a progressive move towards balancing inequalities which people from under-represented groups face, but how effective have these initiatives been in practice? In this blog, Kamar reflects on whether EDI policies provide sufficient support for early career researchers (ECRs), and considers the wider impact they might have on dementia research.
Find the original text, and narration here...2022-03-2908 min3 Minute 3RsReplacement methods for drug development, toxicology testing and cardiovascular researchThe papers behind the pod: 1. Baran SW et al. (2022). Perspectives on the Evaluation and Adoption of Complex In Vitro Models in Drug Development: Workshop with the FDA and the Pharmaceutical Industry (IQ MPS Affiliate). ALTEX, in press. https://doi.org/10.14573/altex.21122032. Borba JVB et al. (2022) STopTox: An in Silico Alternative to Animal Testing for Acute Systemic and Topical Toxicity. Environmental Health Perspectives 130(2). https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP93413. van der Velden J et al. (2022) Animal models and animal-free innovations for cardiovascular research: current status and routes to be explored. Consensus document of the ESC working group on m...2022-03-1704 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - What is “brain health” and is it important?Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
With populations getting older, age-associated disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are projected to place significant demands on global health systems over the coming years. There is therefore an increasing need to understand how to improve and preserve our brain health, but how can we do this when no consensus definition exists of what brain health actually is and what it looks like? In this blog Kamar discusses the challenge of trying to understand brain health, and why it is important.
Find the original text, an...2022-03-0907 min3 Minute 3RsIssues with conventional rodent housing, playpens for rats, and using sleep to assess welfareFebruary https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-021-01184-0https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772211065920https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04502-2It’s the 3rd Thursday of February, and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs. This month, we’re bringing you 3 refinement papers. Let’s start with rodent housing.Research rodents are conventionally housed in shoebox sized cages that limit their ability to perform natural behaviors such as nesting and burrowing. These restrictions are known to impair welfare, but could they even increase disease risk and shorten lifespans? A new meta-ana...2022-02-1704 min3 Minute 3RsReproducibility in cancer biology, training rats for refined fMRI, and playpens for miceThe papers behind the pod:1. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.71601 & https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.679952. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.8056793. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98356-3It’s the 3rd Thursday of January – happy new year! You’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly recap of efforts to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research. Of course, we focus on those three Rs, but many have suggested adding a fourth R to the list: reproducibility. Designing experiments with reproducibility in mind is a key aspect of reducing unnecessary animal use, a...2022-01-2004 min
Dementia Researcher BlogsDr Kamar Ameen-Ali - What neuropathology can tell us about the brain diseases which lead to dementiaDr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Kamar describes what neuropathology can tell us about the brain diseases which lead to dementia, and what this means for dementia diagnosis in life.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-what-neuropathology-can-tell-us-about-the-brain-diseases-which-lead-to-dementia/
If you would like to write your own blog drop us a line, we're always on the look out for new contributors to write about their research, careers + more dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk
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...2022-01-2007 min3 Minute 3RsRefining anaesthesia and euthanasia for zebrafish and miceSedation is necessary for zebrafish during procedures such as imaging, biopsy, and surgery to ensure animal welfare and high-quality science. But the effects of sedation can last beyond the administration period and should also be carefully considered. A paper by Gressler et al. explores the use of eugenol and propofol during a 3-hour sedation and their subsequent effects after a 1 hour washout period. Both drugs had effects on behavior and physiology even after the washout period. For behavior, in a novel tank test, eugenol was found to amplify diving response while propofol induced anti-anxiety responses. For physiology, both drugs...2021-12-1604 min
3 Minute 3RsDiscover the winners of this year's Global AAALAC/IQ AwardsThe papers behind the pod:1. A non-human primate in vitro functional assay for the early evaluation of TB vaccine candidates. npj Vaccines, January 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-020-00263-72. Inducible dominant negative ErbB2 rat spermatogonial line for generation of transgenic rat model and dissecting ERBB2 tyrosine kinase mediated pathways. Experimental Oncology, June 2019. https://doi.org/10.32471/exp-oncology.2312-8852.vol-41-no-2.130263. Characterization of drug responses of mini patient-derived xenografts in mice for predicting cancer patient clinical therapeutic response. Cancer Communications, September 2018. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40880-018-0329-5Visit th...2021-11-1805 min
3 Minute 3RsPeople and strategies behind 3Rs science: compassion fatigue, culture of care and systematic reviewsThe papers behind the pod:1. Professional Quality of Life in Research Involving Laboratory Animals. Animals 11(9), 2639 (2021) https://doi.org/10.3390/ani110926392. Improving culture of care through maximising learning from observations and events: Addressing what is at fault. Laboratory Animals (2021). https://doi.org/10.1177%2F002367722110371773. Epidemiology and reporting characteristics of preclinical systematic reviews. PLOS Biology (2021). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001177Transcript:It’s the 3rd Thursday of October, and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly recap of efforts to replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals in research. This mont...2021-10-2104 min
Open UpdateOpen Update #27 (2021-09-21)In this week's episode, we talk about team science and animal testing in research.
Leave us a voice message 😊
PEOPLE behind the podcast
Narrator: Chris Hartgerink
Mixing: Bjorn Uyens
Artwork: Patrick Sobrak-Seaton
Contact: info@libscie.org or @libscie
SOURCES
Open Science Conference 2022
https://www.open-science-conference.eu/calls2022/
Blackboard merges with Anthology
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/09/14/blackboard-merge-anthology-creating-massive-ed-tech-company
UKRN Funding
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/new...2021-09-2105 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs September 2021Sept 2021 You’re listening to the September episode of 3 Minute 3Rs. The papers behind the pod: Performance of preclinical models in predicting drug-induced liver injury in humans: a systematic review. Scientific Reports 11, 6403 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85708-2 Ratlas-LH: An MRI template of the Lister hooded rat brain with stereotaxic coordinates for neurosurgical implantations Brain and Neuroscience Advances (2021) https://doi.org/10.1177/23982128211036332 O mouse, where art thou? The Mouse Position Surveillance System (MoPSS)—an RFID-based tracking system. Behavior Research Methods (2021) https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-021-01593-7 [Transcript] It’s the 3rd Thursda...2021-09-1603 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs August 2021You’re listening to the August episode of 3 Minute 3Rs!The papers behind the pod: Refinement of the spinal cord injury rat model and validation of its applicability as a model for memory loss and chronic pain. Heliyon 7, E07500 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07500 Strategies to encourage the adoption of social housing during cardiovascular telemetry recordings in non-rodents. Journal of Pharmalogical & Toxicological Methods 108, 106969 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vascn.2021.106959 Refine acquisition of high-resolution chest CTs in macaques by free breathing. Laboratory Animals https://doi.org/10.1177%2F00236772211026562 Transcript:It’s the 3rd Thursday of August...2021-08-1903 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs July 2021It’s the 3rd Thursday of July and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly recap of efforts to replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals in research. The papers behind the pod: SARS-CoV-2 infects an upper airway model derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/stem.3422A break from the pups: The effects of loft access on the welfare of lactating laboratory rats. PLos One https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253020 3D printed rodent skin-skull-brain model: A novel animal-free approach for neurosurgical training. PLoS One https...2021-07-1504 min
Lab Rat Chat22. Rat Tickling?!Send us a textLab Rat Chat - Episode 22 with Dr. Megan LaFollette, an animal behavior & welfare scientist, researcher, & project managerPurchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!https://labratchat.myteespring.co/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 w...2021-06-2347 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs June 2021You’re listening to the June 2021 episode of 3 Minute 3Rs The papers behind the pod: Winning paper: Pellegrini L et al. (2020). Human CNS barrier-forming organoids with cerebrospinal fluid production. Science 369(6500): eaaz5626. doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz5626. Highly commended: Ashworth J et al. (2020). Peptide gels of fully-defined composition and mechanics for probing cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in vitro. Matrix Biology 85-86: 15-33. doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2019.06.009. [Transcript]It’s the 3rd Thursday of June, and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly recap of efforts to replace...2021-06-1703 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs May 2021You’re listening to the April episode of 3 Minute 3Rs.The papers behind the pod:1. PCR Testing of Media Placed in Soiled Bedding as a Method for Mouse Colony Health Surveillance. JAALAS https://doi.org/10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-20-0000962. New mosquito repellency bioassay for evaluation of repellents and pyrethroids using an attractive blood-feeding device. Parasites & Vectors https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04656-y3. Lung cancer organoids analysed on microwell arrays predict drug responses within a week. Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22676-1 Transcript: It’s the 3rd Thursday of May...2021-05-2003 min
DareToCare - Animal Welfare Podcast31 Laboratory Animal ScienceWelfare in Laboratory Animal Science
In this podcast on animal welfare in Laboratory Animal Science we talk with vets Tharanga Thoradeniya, Vijay Pal Singh and their animals science colleagues Esther Langen and Pim Rooymans about animal welfare questions and the benefits of international cooperation for animal welfare.
The questions were largely submitted by students (thank you very much!) and although there were too many to cover all of them – we have done our best :).
Here is some additional information:
Culture of care: https://norecopa.no/more-resources/culture-of-care
National Center for the rRe...2021-04-3048 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs April 2021You’re listening to the April episode of 3 Minute 3Rs.The papers behind the pod:1. Identification of individual zebrafish (Danio rerio): a refined protocol for VIE tagging whist considering animal welfare and the principles of the 3RS. Animals 11, 616 (2021) https://doi.org/10.3390/ani110306162. Enrichment for laboratory zebrafish – a review of the evidence and challenges. Animals 11, 698 (2021) https://doi.org/10.3390/ani110306983. Research relevant background lesions and conditions: ferrets, dogs, swine, sheep, and goats. ILAR J ilab005 (2021) https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilab0054. *Bonus* Research-relevant background lesions and conditions in common avian and aquatic species. ILAR J ilab00...2021-04-1503 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs March 2021You’re listening to the March episode of 3 Minute 3Rs.The papers behind the pod:1. Novel three-dimensional biochip pulmonary sarcoidosis model. PLoS One https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0245805 2. A new group housing approach for non-human primate metabolism studies. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vascn.2020.1069473. The contribution of environmental enrichment to phenotypic variation in mice and rats. eNeuro https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0539-20.2021Transcript: It’s the 3rd Thursday of March and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs, your monthly recap of ef...2021-03-1804 min
3 Minute 3RsFebruary 2021You’re listening to the February episode of 3 Minute 3Rs.The papers behind the pod:1. In Vitro Tests for Assessing the Neutralizing Ability of Snake Antivenoms: Toward the 3Rs Principles. Frontiers in Immunology https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.6174292. The Impact of Acute Loud Noise on the Behavior of Laboratory Birds. Frontiers in Veterinary Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.6076323. A multicomponent screen for feeding behavior and nutritional status in Drosophila to interrogate mammalian appetite-related genes. Molecular Metabolism https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2020.101127Transcript: It’s the 3rd Thursday of February and you’re...2021-02-1804 min
Open UpdateOpen Update #3 (2021-01-26)The Open Update is Liberate Science’s weekly digest on what’s been going on in the open science space, released every Tuesday.
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcymuEJDDjVTvVW0dXHXK1Q
Podcast
https://anchor.fm/open-update
Twitter (@libscie)
https://twitter.com/libscie
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Wiley announces name change policy
https://www.wiley.com/network/the-wiley-network/new-author-name-change-policy-supports-a-more-inclusive-publishing-environment
Journal submissions should be gender neutral
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00109-9
Retirement or equal wages
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/01/18/oregon-says-professor-must-drop-her-pay-discrimination-claims-if-she-wants-retire#.YAWG...2021-01-2606 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs January 2021You’re listening to the January episode of 3 Minute 3Rs.The papers behind the pod:1. Internal consistency and compatibility of the 3Rs and 3Vs principles for project evaluation of animal research. Laboratory Animals https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772209685832. Noise and Vibration in the Vivarium: Recommendations for Developing a Measurement Plan. JAALAS https://doi.org/10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-0001313. A human tissue screen identifies a regulator of ER secretion as a brain-size determinant. Science https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abb5390 Transcript: It’s the 3rd Thursday of January and you’re listening to the first 3 Minute 3R...2021-01-2104 min
Petwise PodcastEpisod 7: Despre pisici (cu Lucrina Ștefănescu)Cine are în grijă o pisică?...sau zece? Nu judecăm!
Episodul de astăzi îl dedicăm acestor ființe cu aer aristocratic. Alături de invitata noastră, Lucrina Ștefănescu (iubitoare de pisicuțe și voluntară a Asociației NUCA pentru Protecția Animalelor), vă propunem idei necostisitoare de amenajare a unui spațiu potrivit nevoilor lor, „sacrificând” un colțișor din locuița voastră.
Identificăm cauzele celor mai des întâlnite probleme comportamentale de care se plâng deținătorii de pisici și, bineînțeles, venim și cu soluții pentru rezolvarea lor.
2021-01-1537 min
3 Minute 3Rs3 Minute 3Rs December 2020You’re listening to the December episode of 3 Minute 3Rs.The papers behind the pod:1. Protective cranial implant caps for macaques. Journal of Neuroscience Methods https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.1089922. The ‘Cage Climber’ – A new enrichment for use in large-dimensioned mouse facilities. Applied Animal Behaviour Science https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.1050783. Skin swabbing is a refined technique to collect DNA from model fish species. Scientific Reports https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75304-1Transcript: It’s the 3rd Thursday of December and you’re listening to 3 Minute 3Rs...2020-12-1703 min