Lab Rat Chat

Latest Episodes:

6. Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Cure Mar 15, 2020

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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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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/

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5. Seeing New Perspectives Feb 13, 2020

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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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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/

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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/

4. Going Above and Beyond the Standards Jan 26, 2020

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Lab Rat Chat - Episode 04 with Dr. Helen Diggs, Senior Director of AAALAC International

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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/

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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/

3. Why Scientists Must Use Animals in Research Jan 15, 2020

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Lab Rat Chat - Episode 03 with Dr. Stephen Beebe, a cancer research scientist at Old Dominion University.
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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/

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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/

2. Veterinarians and Animal Research Jan 15, 2020

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Lab Rat Chat - Episode 02 with Dr. Steve Shipley, a laboratory animal veterinarian from UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine
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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/

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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/

1. An Introduction to the Reality of Animal Research Jan 15, 2020

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Lab Rat Chat - Episode 01 with Danielle and Jeff providing an introduction into the world of animal research
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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

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/

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