Fin3R webinar - Dr. Steve Niemi (Boston University, US)
“Aging Lab Animals, Aging Research, Aging Standards” Abstract: The concept of standards has been embedded in lab animal care since the early days and for good reason. They have been useful for improving animal welfare and scientific data integrity. But we continuously learn more about how animals are influenced by their environment (including their microbiome as well as how we interact with them) while standards do not change. When do standards jeopardize rather than support research and discourage innovations in husbandry, breeding, and veterinary care? Why should one-size-fits-all continue to be followed blindly when we can easily customize the lab animal’s environment and experiences as knowledge evolves and new needs arise? Examples of barriers to progress and options will be presented for discussion.