Yenepoya University Institutional Animal Ethics Committee Organized a 2 Days National Workshop titled "Embracing 5Rs: empowering Jeltek LLP animal research with innovative instruments and alternatives to lab animals

Jun 25, 2024

YUIAEC(Yenepoya University Institutional Animal Ethics Committee), Yenepoya University & Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Medical College & Yenepoya Pharmacy College and Research Centre in collaboration with Jeltek LLP organized two days national workshop titled "Embracing 5Rs: empowering animal research with innovative instruments and alternatives to lab animals" on 13/06/2024 and 14/06/2024 from 9.00 am to 4 pm at lecture hall - 2 and demo room and experimental lab, Department of Pharmacology, Yenepoya Medical College as a part of Silver jubilee celebration of Yenepoya Medical college.

The workshop received an overwhelming response, with registrations surpassing the initial target of 50 participants within just two days of releasing the brochure. It's impressive to see the enthusiastic response from participants and the diverse representation from medical, dental, pharmacy, homeopathic and ayurvedic colleges from Karnataka including Mysore Medical College (Mysore),  JSS Pharmacy College (Mysore), Nitte University Centre for Science Education and research (Mangalore), Shri BM Patil Medical College and Hospital ( Bijapur), Kanachur Medical College, AJIMS Mangalore, Kasturba Medical College (Mangalore and Manipal), St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Dr. BR Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital (Bangalore), Bangalore Medical College and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College, Madhya Pradesh.

The event commenced with a talk on the Need for compassion and empathy in animal experimentation by Dr. Sulakshana Karkala, emphasizing ethical treatment of animals to enhance both ethical standards and scientific outcomes. The inaugural program featured esteemed guests, including Dr. Gangadhar Somayaji, Registrar, Dr. Moossaba, Principal of YMC, Dr. Aswini Dutt R, Dean of Academics, Yenepoya University, Dr. Prakash Robert Saldanha, Vice Principal of Yenepoya Medical College, and Dr. Abhay Nirgude, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Yenepoya Medical College. The organizing chairpersons Dr. Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed and Dr. Roopa P Nayak, and the organizing secretary of the workshop, Dr. Megha Rani N was also present on the dais.

The workshop continued with sessions on Alternatives to animal experiments in research and Drosophila Melanogaster - A Versatile Animal Model for Research, by Dr. Sindhu Priya E. S. and Dr. Shyamprasad respectively. Post lunch,  the delegates were divided into 5 groups and attended different stations on Drosophila- Drosophila media and anaesthesia, Drosophila- Behavioural study- Climbing assay, Drosophila -Male and female Sorting, Phases of zebrafish life cycle- various phases of Embryos, Male and female differentiation and  Behavioural studies using T maze in Zebrafish. Day one was concluded  with a session by Dr. Megha Rani N on evaluation criteria of SRB (Scientific Review Board) and IAEC (Institutional Animal Ethics Committee) in animal experiments and importance of critically designed research protocols.

The second day commenced with sessions on CCSEA\'s aims, rules, and functions by Dr. Vivek Tyagi, Senior Consultant ( CCSEA), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India, New Delhi. Following this, Dr. Roopa P Nayak, Professor, and HOD of the Department of Pharmacology at Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore, provided insights into CCSEA guidelines on housing animals.

The morning continued with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Navyashree, focusing on the need for a balance between academic pharmacology research and industrial research. This  interactive session involved subject experts- Dr. Durgaprasad Professor, AUA college of medicine, Antigua, Dr.Nagapati P Bhat, Professor, Pharmacology, YMC and Dr. Divya Lakshmann, Assistant Professor, YRC deliberating on key aspects to achieve this balance effectively. Attendees witnessed a video demonstration conducted by Mrs. Nadira Noushida and Dr. Hashim. Subsequently, hands-on stations were set up, with 6 stations covering various practical aspects including animal handling and sex determination, drug administration, restraining of mice and rats, blood withdrawal techniques, vaginal sample collection and the advanced devices by Jeltek LLP.

A lunch break provided an opportunity for networking and refreshment before attendees reconvened for live (video) demonstrations on anesthesia, surgery, dissection, and suturing techniques, facilitated by Dr. Suprith Surya, a veterinarian and In-Charge of ASSEND at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), along with representatives from Jeltek LLP.

The day concluded with a valedictory program presided by the Vice Chancellor of Yenepoya Deemed to be University Dr. M. Vijaya Kumar, chief guest Dr. Vivek Tyagi and guest of honor, Dr. Durgaprasad in presence of Dr. Abhay Nirgude, Dr. Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed and Dr. Roopa P Nayak. Dr. Megha Rani N, presented the success report of the workshop, marking the successful completion of the workshop, and providing a platform for final remarks and feedback from participants.

The Yenepoya University, in collaboration with Jeltek LLP, is intending to continue the effort to revive academic experimental pharmacology with more advanced devices and workshops. This ongoing collaboration aims to further enhance research capabilities, promote ethical practices, and contribute to advancements in the field of pharmacology.