Felasa Kurs
Education and Training: Laboratory Animal Science with Non-Human Primates
Scope of this Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) Course on Non-Human Primates (NHP)
The work with non-human primates (NHP) in research is challenging and personnel need a highly specialised and thorough education. Until recently, no FELASA accredited LAS course specialising on NHP existed. The DPZ together with the former European Primate Network (EUPRIM-Net) has developed such a course in accordance with the common education and training framework that was developed by the Expert Working Group (EWG) of the European Commission for the EU to fulfil the requirements under Articles 23, and 24 of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.
Our complete course contents for Function A (carrying out procedures on animals) and B (designing procedures and projects) were developed according to the educational objectives as given in the working document of the EWG and the current FELASA accreditation guidelines from May 2014. The course was accredited by the FELASA in summer 2017. To this date it is the only NHP-specific FELASA course.
Course Programme
The course has been held twice a year since late 2015. The courses contents are focused on the work with NHP in research. We give an introduction into primate biology (different species), an overview on different research areas in which primates are used and insights into methodology, procedures and handling. In addition, welfare, ethics and legislation make up an important part of the course. The course consists of an e-learning phase which needs to be passed by an online-exam and a subsequent 5 days on-site course at the Geman Primate Center in Göttingen, Germany.
| E‐Learning | |
| Contents | National legislation*; ethics, animal welfare and the 3Rs; basic and appropriate biology of primates; primate care, health and management; recognition of pain, suffering and distress in primates, humane methods of killing in lab animals |
| Platform | Our E‐Learning is integrated in the LAS Interactive platform. Only course participants will be able to access respective contents |
| Online-Exam | Your participation in the e‐learning will be controlled by an online multiplechoice exam |
| On‐site course** | |
| Location | German Primate Center (DPZ), Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany |
| Programme | (tentative schedule) |
| Contents | Primate Handling and Training (theory and practice*) Minimally Invasive Procedures in Primate Research – Insights from Neurosciences, Infection Biology and Stem Cell Research (theory) Measuring Behaviour (theory and practice*) Ethics, Animal Welfare and the 3Rs Design of procedures and projects – Insights from Infection Biology and Neurosciences Good laboratory practice Biometry and Biostatistics in Laboratory Animal Science Legal Issues and Responsibilities |
| On‐site Exam | Multiple‐choice exam |
* For participants working outside Germany: Please beware that this course includes core module 1 "National Legislation" for Germany only. You may need to attend this module again for your own country‐specific legislation.
** note that due to legal requirements hands‐on training involving live primates cannot be conducted
