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Animal Welfare and 3Rs More resources and links

Surplus, Biobanks, Tissue Sharing, Databases

Animal Sharing at UZH

Animal Sharing is a platform in iRATS enabling researchers to transfer surplus animals into a so-called  Sharing Pool from where other researchers can obtain them, e.g. for pilot experiments. Animal Sharing contributes to the reduction principle of 3R.

If an animal cannot be shared via the Sharing Pool in iRATS, there are other possibilities. The Office for Animal Welfare and 3R will support you with sharing of animal cadavers, organs, cells and tissues. Also keep in mind that certain animals (e.g. wildtype animals that have not undergone severe experiments) might be suitable for rehoming.

Reduction of surplus animals

The breeding of laboratory animals, particularly genetically altered rodents, inevitably results in the production of individuals that cannot be used for the intended scientific purpose and are therefore considered surplus. This surplus arises for various reasons: some are unavoidable, stemming from biological constraints such as Mendelian inheritance and the limited efficiency of genetic engineering techniques, while others are avoidable and due to management practices or research choices that could be optimized. 

Here you can find more information: 

Collection of resources aiming at minimising surplus animals

LASC information about surplus animals

The Animal Welfare Officers of the UZH and the LASC are happy to assist you further and/or discuss this topic with you. Do not hesitate to contact us: 

 Animal Welfare Officers UZH: tierwohl@research.uzh.ch 

 LASC AFS/Irchel: vivarium.management.irchel@lasc.uzh.ch 

 LASC Schlieren: vivarium.management.schlieren@lasc.uzh.ch

Mouse lines / tissues

Swiss biobanking platform

SBP is the national coordination platform for human and non-human biobanks. Its aim is to respond to the increasing demand for quality and networking of biobanks for research purposes.

SBP

Central Biobank USZ

Central Tissue Biobank USZ