It has been a while since we were able to publish the Animal Care newsletter and a lot has happened that we would like to update you on. Included in this newsletter you will find new initiatives, events, staff members, and organizational changes happening within Animal care. Also included are research studies, featuring two of our investigators, Dr. Ian Oldenburg and Dr. Selvakumar Subbian. |
|
As Animal Care continues to grow and move forward, we are fortunate to have resilient, experienced leadership across the department who can provide guidance to help achieve our objectives. Focusing on critical personnel and infrastructure needs, our vision moving forward is to have one common leadership team across all campuses. To this end, we wanted to announce realignment of a few of our staff members. Leslie Bird, Veterinary Services Manager, will supervise veterinary project support as needed across both, Newark and New Brunswick campuses. Lisa Antonucci is the Assistant Director, responsible for animal husbandry on both campuses and Joseph Ruffin, Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations will oversee construction, coordinate with facilities, and manage major infrastructure projects (smaller infrastructure issues should still be reported to the local area supervisor).
|
|
Leveraging our QR enabled cage cards, Animal Care has implemented additional functionality to capture animal health events using our Digital Vivarium platform (formally called ACFC). Staff members can now digitally log and alert both veterinary team members and research staff to situations that arise in the vivarium. This new implementation provides a more robust animal health care, in a more responsive manner and will greatly reduce the administrative effort in attending such events. Additionally, it will allow for health records to be captured in a centralized manner! |
|
Since the release of identifying overcrowded cages using the QR mechanism in August 2022 number of expired cases is decreasing, signifying over time, since this launch there is more immediate communication between CMR and research staff to help resolve cases faster and more efficiently. The graph below shows the total number of overcrowded cases that have been identified and decrease in unresolved cases. |
|
We are pleased to highlight, Animal Care program has received full accreditation renewal from AAALAC International. During the five-day visit, site visitors thoroughly inspected our animal facilities on both campuses, visited labs, inspected the farm, and reviewed IACUC protocols. Rutgers goes through an accreditation process every three years which requires exemplary efforts and teamwork from our animal care staff. The site visitors praised our program, had few suggestions for improvements all of which have now been addressed.
|
|
Dr. Ian Antón Oldenburg, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology
Resident Faculty Member, CABM
Ian is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Neuroscience and Cell Biology and a resident faculty member at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine. He completed his Ph.D. in neuroscience at Harvard University under the supervision of Bernardo Sabatini, there he investigated the interactions between the basal ganglia and motor cortex. As a postdoctoral fellow in Hillel Adesnik’s lab at the University of California Berkeley he developed new multiphoton holographic optogenetic approaches and used them to dissect the interactions between neurons in sensory cortex.
In general, Ian is interested in understanding how neurons interact with each other to give rise to behaviors. However, these interactions can be diverse, depending heavily on context, and on the specifics of which neurons are firing when. In many cases, the first step to answer these questions is to build new tools that allow ever more precise manipulations.
The goal of the Oldenburg lab is to understand how specific patterns of neural activity give rise to behaviors and actions. We know that groups of neurons encode motor movements in complex patterns, with many cells firing with millisecond precise sequences. But just correlating neural activity to action doesn’t tell us how that activity drives behaviors, instead we need to perform causal manipulations – recreating these multi-neuron patterns of activity to truly understand the motor system. To make these precise spatio-temporal patterns we use and develop a technique called Multiphoton Holographic Optogenetics. Like with conventional optogenetics we use light to activate cells, but here we use high power lasers and a variety of optical tricks to make each spot of light roughly the size of a single neuron’s soma. Allowing us to activate the neurons we want without affecting their neighbors. Changing which neurons are activated and controlling the timing of each we can drive complex patterns of spikes in many different neurons, testing the role of different patterns of activity, and ultimately decode the language of the motor system.
The Oldenburg Lab is actively seeking collaborations. Multiphoton Optogenetics is a broad class of tools that allow the precise manipulation of neurons to understand behaviors and neural circuits. There are vastly more questions than could ever be answered by a single lab. If you’re interested in collaborating and using multiphoton holographic optogenetics for your own questions, please reach out.
Office: 104 | Lab: 124
Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine
679 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway NJ, 08854
|
|
Dr. Selvakumar Subbian, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
New Jersey Medical School
Principal Investigator, Public Health Research Institute
About my past: From my school days onwards, I have been fascinated by biological sciences since it relates to living systems. My favorite subject during UG was Biochemistry and that’s what I studied followed by a Masters’ degree in Biomedical Genetics. I decided to go for PhD for two reasons: 1). There were not many job opportunities for Masters in BMG, since it was a specialized course during those days (i.e in 1995); 2). I thought doing PhD would land me to a better position. But getting into PhD with fellowship was a real challenge. It took 9-months after my Masters to join for PhD with a national fellowship in 1996. I decided to pursue research on human infectious diseases. When I did a quick review of the most important infectious diseases of humans, tuberculosis popped up at the top of the list. Plus, I personally witnessed the sufferings of a tuberculosis patient. Therefore, I started reading about tuberculosis and I found that this disease triggered my passion to investigate more. So, here I am after 25 years, still investigating the pathogenesis of tuberculosis, with more passion and enthusiasm. In sum, I would say it is the determination, dedication and passion to take a challenge, such as contributing towards elimination of a catastrophic disease of mankind, through scientific research.
My current research is focused on two aspects: 1). understanding the host-pathogen interactions in tuberculosis and COVID-19. 2). To enable vaccine and therapeutic drug discovery through pre-clinical screening in “relevant-to-humans” animal models. What excites me about researching on these pathogens is that they are like aliens. We can’t see them with bare eyes yet they could make havoc in our body. What is interesting about TB, is that it evolved with humanity for the past 4000 years, and it is a very patient pathogen that can persist quiescently in heathy individuals for several decades, waiting until our body gets weak to cause disease. Look at SARS-CoV-2, the agent that cause COVID-19, it has quickly but robustly evolved into a notorious human pathogen. So the questions of why, how and what makes these bugs successful in causing disease in humans is a major driving factor for our current research.
The central theme of my research program is to understand the molecular immunologic and metabolic determinants underpinning protective versus permissive host response in tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19. Another aspect involves exploring the potential of adjunctive immune modulation as a host-directed intervention to improve current treatment for TB and COVID-19. For these studies, we mainly use preclinical animal models that recapitulate the pathophysiology of human conditions. Over the past 15 years, using innovative molecular technologies, such as single-molecule RNA-FISH, RNAseq, fluorescent IHC-confocal microscopy, microarray, and bioinformatics approaches, we have explored the intricate host-pathogen interactions underlying infectious disease pathogenesis in animal models. For the first time in literature, we have identified/reported several host immune markers and associated gene networks/pathways in the rabbit lungs that contribute to active TB or latency/reactivation. In the mouse and rabbit models of pulmonary TB, our lab has established proof-of-concept for a superior beneficial effect of a host-directed, small molecule phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4i) inhibitor therapy in combination with anti-TB drugs. This preclinical data set the foundation for Phase-II clinical study using PDE4i as an adjunct to improve antibiotic therapy for pulmonary TB in humans (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02652546). We have recently developed and established a hamster model of pulmonary SARS-CoV-2 infection, which recapitulates many pathophysiologic features seen in non-lethal COVID-19 in humans to study host-pathogen interactions and develop potential intervention strategies. A key approach in all our preclinical studies is the application of spatial transcriptomics to understand context-dependent host responses to infection. These studies rewarded me with several publications and multiple research grants from the NIH and Bill-Melinda Gates Foundations. I also received the Young Investigator Award-2017 from the Theobald Smith Society of the American Society for Microbiology, and the Faculty of the Year-2021 award from NJMS, Rutgers University.
If you ask me which area(s) of research/education is(are) the most challenging or most rewarding for me, I would say that every investigator has their favorite niche or domain that they believe in. Sometimes convenience is confused with reality and it is hard to break the stereotype established based on convenience. So, my challenge in current research is to make the TB research community on the relevance of pre-clinical model systems to human disease pathology. For example, although many researchers recognize and agree that the rabbit model of TB better mimics the human disease than standard mice strains. However, when I apply for research funding, this recognition is not recapitulated, rather we receive comments such as “lack of novelty” and “standard experimental approaches”. This situation would change if leading commercial vendors start producing more reagents available for the rabbit model. But then, they would look for massive buyer bank, which might not exist, and therefore, it might not be a lucrative business. So, its catch-22. However, recently this situation is changing with technological developments in “genomewide” approaches, such as RNAseq and tissue-imaging analysis, which cross-cuts the barriers by integrating molecular techniques with pathological events. I think this is a game changer that would reward the utility of several “less-appreciated” pre-clinical models of human diseases.
Future plans: In the next 5-10 years, I would like to expand my research on TB and COVID-19 to include more interventional aspects, such as vaccine and therapeutic drug discovery, particularly on the host-directed therapy, which is a relatively new concept that compliments conventional antibiotics-mediated therapeutic strategies. I would like to be recognized as an investigator of pre-clinical models that are pathologically more relevant to human diseases, such as TB and COVID-19.
|
|
Our training team has been hard at work since our last newsletter! We began a 3-credit undergraduate course, In Vivo Techniques, where students gain didactic and hands-on experience working with rats and mice. We hope to continue to offer this course as well as other training course options in the future.
|
|
We have some reminders for you below, particularly on things that have been updated since our last newsletter:
Facility Access: The requirements for working with animals and receiving facility access were most recently updated in December 2022. These trainings and clearances are required for anyone working with animals. Our training website- Training and Development | Rutgers Research has the most up to date information under “Mandatory Training Requirements for New Animal Users” and on the downloadable Vivarium Access form.
|
|
Survival Surgery: All new staff, students or faculty preforming rodent survival surgery are required to obtain a “Rodent Survival Surgery Certification.” The complete steps can be found on our website Training and Development | Rutgers Research. All the steps including surgical observation are required for certification. Please reach out to the training team with any questions or to schedule an observation.
|
|
Sick and treatment cards: Lab staff should ensure they are responding to CMR’s emails regarding sick animals in a timely manner. This will ensure the animal receives the best possible care. If an email hasn’t been sent out yet, chances are our staff hasn’t had a chance to arrive at the facility yet; you’re welcome to send us an email to let us know what your plans are for the case before we get to it. If there is a treatment card on the cage, please make sure to document physical treatments and/or monitoring events with the date and your initials in the box under the corresponding day. If you decide to euthanize the animal at any given time, please make sure you write “Euth” or “Sac” on the sick card with the date it was performed and your initials, and return it to your CMR staff’s designated drop off location. If you’re not sure where that is, feel free to reach out to the vet staff member of that area.
|
|
Post Op cards: For those of you who have not seen our new post operative monitoring cards, it has been modified to make it easier for you and your group when monitoring your post procedure animals! There are three mandatory rows, marked by an asterisk, a standardized key on what to write in the boxes when performing your observation, and extra room in the back to document any notes you might have. A cage with multiple post-op animals also now only need one card to represent the whole cage to help reduce clutter. Be sure to just properly document animal weights and their respective IDS either on the card or in your lab notes. Please make sure to keep these records in your lab for at least a year as they are considered medical records. If you have any questions about the cards and how to use them, feel free to reach out to the CMR vet staff or the training team!
|
|
C57BL/6NCrl Germ-free mice are available to purchase from the Newark Gnotobiotic Core located in Medical Science Building. If interested in purchasing germfree mice for experiments, please first contact the Gnotobiotic core at gnotobiotic@research.rutgers.edu on availability and place an order through the ACFC online animal ordering system.
Microbiome research has grown considerably, and in the summer of 2022 the core has finally expanded into 6-foot flexible-film isolators to provide investigators with axenic animal models. Rederivation services to create germfree mouse transgenic strains will also be available through the core in 2023. Additionally, there is a new -80 freezer which gnotobiotic users can utilize for their studies as well as a fully functional anaerobic gas chamber in Dr. Nicholas Bessman’s laboratory in the Cancer Center.
|
|
Animal Care has partnered with Transnetyx to provide a no-cost digital colony management platform for all animal users. This software allows robust data reporting for all your colony management and genotyping needs. If you would like to try the software, Transnetyx staff are available for training, onboarding and data migration. We have a feeling that once you try this software, it will completely revolutionize the way you think about and manage your colony!
|
|
Need a quick diagnostic run for one of your animals? The Heska Element POC blood gas and electrolyte analyzer is available for use at Newark campus for small and large animals. The handheld portable analyzer provides vital chemistries, electrolytes, acid-base and blood gas results in as little as five minutes. The cartridge for the analyzer can take a sample amount as little as 80-100 microliters of blood. Please contact
|
|
Facilities and Husbandry Updates
North Campus
- Cancer Center completed transition to NexGen cages and hydropac for water source.
- In an effort to reorganization facility traffic pattern, we are in the process of grouping animal rooms with similar health status together
South Campus
- We opened 6 additional rooms in the Research Tower and automatic water was added to the V suites
- Several facilities (SPH, RT, Bartlett) had improvements made by resurfacing floors.
Steven Cancellieri has been named new Husbandry Supervisor for Aidekman facility in Newark and Nickilee Gurovich, will take on Husbandry Supervisor role for School of Public Health and Research Tower.
|
|
Animal technicians play a crucial role in maintaining the welfare of laboratory animals. To recognize their valuable contributions, the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) has been observing Animal Technician Week annually during the first week of February since 1998. This event provides an opportunity to appreciate the diligent efforts of these individuals who are instrumental in advancing biomedical research. It also serves as a chance to acknowledge the importance of laboratory animals in scientific progress and educate others about their pivotal role in research. Let us pay tribute to these animal technicians who have devoted their careers to ensuring the ethical treatment of laboratory animals and facilitating scientific discovery. |
|
At Rutgers we celebrate Tech Week throughout the month of February, with one exciting event each week. We organized activities across campuses to synchronize Tech Week's festivities.
The month-long celebration started with a bang as we hosted a fun-filled lunch and games, featuring our very own creation, "The NewlyWork Game." It was a hilarious hit as technicians tried to guess how well they knew their co-workers and supervisors. Despite some surprising revelations, everyone had a great time. We continued the momentum in the following weeks with two breakfasts sponsored by Tecniplast and PTC Therapeutics, trivia, and training sessions. To top it all off, we concluded the month with a build-your-own ice cream party and presented the technicians with RUAC sweatshirts as a token of our appreciation for their hard work. We're already looking forward to next year's celebrations and planning ways to surpass the technicians' expectations!
|
|
AALAS Technician Certifications and Promotions |
|
-
Laura Alter passed LATg certification and received her ABSL3 clearance
-
Marleata Anderson passed ALAT certification
-
Dexter Robinson passed ALAT certification
-
Brittany Ball passed her ALAT certification
-
Erin McCaffrey, Herbie Montalvo, Chris Cordova, Greg Grant and Iwona Szubartowicz also received their ABSL3 clearances
-
Jamie White was promoted to Assistant Supervisor!
-
Garry Cozier assumed the role of Gnotobiotic Technician in November 2022
Great work everyone; we are proud of your accomplishments!
|
|
Dr. Bhupinder Singh
Director of Veterinary Services
Bhupinder started in September 2022 and oversees veterinary and training teams at North and South campuses. Prior to joining Rutgers, he served at Cornell University for 15 years as Assistant Director of Center for Animal Resources and Education.
|
|
Kristin Mottola
Compliance Administrator
The IACUC office welcomes its newest team member to Rutgers Animal Care. Kristin started in January 2023 and brings over twenty-one years of animal research and administration experience to the Rutgers program.
|
|
Rielmer Pinedo Coral
Gnotobiotic Manager
Rielmer is the newest member of our Gnotobiotic Core. Rielmer brings over a decade of experience in the gnotobiotic field and specializes in rederivation of germfree mice lines.
|
|
Samantha Brewer
Veterinary Technician
Samantha joined Animal Care in March as a new Veterinary Technician on the North campus. She is a Certified Veterinary Technician who has several years of companion animal and exotics experience!
|
|
Robert Andersen
Shipping Coordinator
Robert obtained his Master's degree in Laboratory Animal Science from Drexel University in 2015. He also holds a Master’s in Philosophy from SUNY Stony Brook (2007) and Bachelor’s in Philosophy from Rutgers University (2004). Robert is LATG certified along with a zebrafish husbandry certification from the University of Alabama. Robert manages all imports and exports for both north and south campuses, is a member of AALAS and has over a decade of experience performing diagnostic animal health care and live animal shipping.
|
|
Yngrid Curry
Veterinary Technician
Yngrid started at Rutgers In March 2022 as Veterinary Technician. Yngrid works for the pharmaceutical industry Pfizer (animal health department) for several years she was part of the transition of this company to what it is today Zoetis at the same time she was working part time in private practice and always dedicated and focused on animal welfare. Yngrid hold Veterinary Medicine degree from University Centro occidental Lisandro Alvarado (2010) located in Venezuela. Yngrid can be reached at yngrid.curry@rutgers.edu.
|
|
THANK-YOU LITTLE ONES FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE
YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE, TILL BREATH IS GONE
TO EASE THE PAIN OF A THOUSANDS SOULS
TO RESEARCH END, THAT’S OUR GOALS
WE KEPT YOU WELL FOR ALL YOUR DAYS
YOU BRAVELY WENT WHERE WE MADE YOU STAY
YOU HELPED US MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW
I HOPE OUR KINDNESS AND CARE DID SHOW
NOW WE GIVE YOU YOUR RELEASE
THANK-YOU LITTLE ONES –REST IN PEACE
Poem by Linda Zabelka
|
|
If you would like to contribute, share research-related news, events, or simply have feedback, send us a message at ruac@research.rutgers.edu. We'd love to hear from you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
