IHMT’s vivarium was licensed by the Portuguese Food and Veterinary Directorate General (DGAV) for the breeding and use of animals (small rodents), since 2012.
All procedures are performed in accordance with the laws as well as national and European guidelines in the field of laboratory animal welfare. In our vivarium, specialized professionals work in the necessary techniques and procedures to maintain and manipulate the existing species. All ongoing research projects have licensing by DGAV.
At our facilities, mice rats, guinea pigs and hamsters are kept. This is a conventional animal facility where the procedures for creation and manipulation are carried out in accordance with each project specific biocontainment requirements and follow the recommendations to ensure the best conditions in terms of well-being and animals’ health.
The laboratory is used by IHMT’s researchers, but also in the context of collaborations/partnerships with researchers from other institutions, such as the pharmaceutical industry and research laboratories from different areas of research. The services provided range from the creation and maintenance of rodents to experimental procedures, such as rodent colonies management (including genetically modified animals), antibody production, education and training in laboratory animal science in partnership with other institutions, including the Portuguese Society of Laboratory Animal Sciences (SPCAL).
This service is highly committed to follow the principles of the 3Rs:
- replace
- reduce
- refine
in a conscious and responsible laboratory animal use, to obtain a scientific production of high quality, by providing education, training and guidance to researchers, in accordance with the laws and national and international recommendations of best practice and animal welfare.
Recently, IHMT’s body for animal welfare (ORBEA-IHMT) was created. This body functions are related to the counseling of staff and researchers about the different aspects of animals maintenance, as well as monitoring and review of monitoring processes and research projects. The ORBEA-IHMT advises on research projects involving animals to be submitted for approval of either the IHMT’s Ethics Council (CEIHMT) or the DGAV.
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- Directive 2010/63/UE, of 22 de September 2010
on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
ORBEA / IHMT
IHMT has a Responsible Agency for the Welfare of Animals (ORBEA), in accordance with Decree-Law No. 113/2013 of 7 August, which transposes into national law the Directive No. 2010 / 63 / EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010.
The ORBEA is a consultative, multidisciplinary and independent body, with the primary duty of proposing alternatives, issue opinions and follow the maintenance and use of animals in scientific research and education, as part of the activities developed by IHMT.