Lab Rat Chat

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News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!

https://labratchat.myteespring.co/

In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:

• A new therapy utilizing "dancing molecules" to offer a potential cure for paralysis
• mRNA vaccine technology is being used to develop a vaccine for Lyme disease
• A grape seed extract component may be able to help us live longer and healthier lives
• Masks made of ostrich feathers that glow when in contact with SARS-CoV-2.

 Links to all these stories can be found below

 Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/

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Resources & Links:

• ‘Dancing molecules’ successfully repair severe spinal cord injuries - Northwestern Now
• Yale researchers develop mRNA-based lyme disease vaccine - Yale Daily News
• Grape seed extract may have anti-aging properties (medicalnewstoday.com)
• Scientists use ostrich cells to create masks that glow when they detect COVID-19 | KFOR.com Oklahoma City
• Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
• Americans for Medical Progress

 All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

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Lab Rat Chat - Episode 25 with Lindsay Bader

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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Danielle and Jeff chat with Lindsay Bader, who is a Senior Research Associate at the Oregon National Primate Research Center.   Lindsay has a ton of hands-on experience  working with many different species of monkeys .  She's been deeply involved in the research as well the animal care and husbandry components that go along with it, and has a wealth of information to share about what it's like working with monkeys in laboratory environments.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Lindsay's extensive and impressive background working with monkeys in research settings.
• The types of research that goes on at the Oregon National Primate Research Center and the types of animals they have.
• How and why enrichment is so important, especially when working specifically with monkeys in research.
• The many complexities that are involved in trying to house compatible groups of monkeys together.
• The impacts certain activities, such as feeding animals treats that are on restricted or controlled diets, can have on research data.

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Resources & Links:

Caring for Our Animals | OHSU

Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/) 

Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Send us Fan Mail

News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!

https://labratchat.myteespring.co/

In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:

• In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we discuss a new method to treat aggressive forms of breast cancer.
• A new molecule that can act as a 'Trojan horse' for cancer cells - activated by light and destroying the cell, while leaving healthy cells unaffected.
• The first ever pig to human kidney transplant - a huge milestone!
• The best tardigrade (aka water bear or moss piglet) fossil to ever be found and where you can go see it for yourself.

 Links to all these stories can be found below

 Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/

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Resources & Links:

• Scientists identify a new method to treat triple-negative breast cancer (news-medical.net)
• Photoactivatable Metabolic Warheads: Light-Sensitive Drug Acts As Trojan Horse to Kill Cancer Cells (scitechdaily.com)
• A pig kidney has been transplanted into a human successfully for the first time : NPR
• Fossilized Tardigrade Trapped in Amber Found in the Dominican Republic (businessinsider.com)
• Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
• Americans for Medical Progress

 All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Send us Fan Mail

News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!

https://labratchat.myteespring.co/

In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:

• A dissolvable pacemaker that has some really awesome applications for human medicine
• A new compound that has been shown to eliminate up to 100% of breast cancer cells in mice
• Turtles hunting baby birds (yes, you read that correctly)
• Danielle's dog, Moose, and all of his recent issues

 Links to all these stories can be found below

 Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/

Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!                                                                

Resources & Links:

• Researchers create snake-venom-derived 'super glue' that stops bleeding in seconds using visible light (phys.org)
• New approach eradicates breast cancer in mice | Illinois
• ‘Totally surprising and rather horrifying’: Giant tortoises eat baby birds | The Seattle Times
• Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
• Americans for Medical Progress

 All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
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https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Send us Fan Mail

Lab Rat Chat - Episode 24 with J. Preston Van Hooser

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!

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In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Logan and Jeff chat with Preston Van Hooser, who is a Review Scientist and Compliance Manager at the University of Washington (UW) who has worked to protect the integrity and excellence of vertebrate animal research and teaching.  Preston has developed and implemented UW’s first compassion fatigue program called Dare 2 Care. The goal of this program is to provide those working in the field of biomedical research with the tools they need to mitigate and combat compassion fatigue.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Preston’s extensive and impressive background as a successful research scientist 
• How and why Preston transitioned from a successful research career into focusing on compassion fatigue and the people who have dedicated themselves to a career within biomedical research 
• The mission of the Dare 2 Care program and how everyone across the globe can benefit from this incredible program
• Some of the special projects the Dare 2 Care program has initiated and how these programs have directly impacted many laboratory animal professionals

 Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

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Resources & Links:

COMPASSION IN SCIENCE (uw.edu)

The North American 3Rs Collaborative – Refine. Reduce. Replace. (na3rsc.org)

Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/) 

Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Send us Fan Mail

News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!

https://labratchat.myteespring.co/

In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:

• How snake venom has been used to create a new medical “super-glue”
• Naked mole rats and their role in potentially holding the answers to cancer and aging
• The six newest species discovered in 2021 (spoiler alert: one is a plant). 

 Links to all these stories can be found below

 Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/

Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!                                                                

Resources & Links:

• Researchers create snake-venom-derived 'super glue' that stops bleeding in seconds using visible light (phys.org)
• Could naked mole rats hold key to curing cancer and dementia? Researchers say rodent has unique DNA repair mechanism -- ScienceDaily
• Say Hello to the 6 Newest Species of 2021 | Sierra Club
• Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
• Americans for Medical Progress

 All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
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https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Send us Fan Mail

Lab Rat Chat - Episode 23 with Dr. Cindy Buckmaster

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!

https://labratchat.myteespring.co/

In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, Logan and Jeff chat with Cindy Buckmaster, who has been involved in the field of laboratory animal science for over 25 years. She is involved in educational and public outreach organizations while frequently speaking to the media because of her in-depth knowledge and passion for research animals and laboratory animal care. Dr. Buckmaster has recently started her own podcast, GetReal! to continue her mission of advocating on the behalf of lab animals.  After listening to this episode and hearing what her podcast is all about and her passion for what she does, you’ll be very intrigued to go check out GetReal!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Dr. Buckmaster’s background and the path she has taken to become a spokesperson for the care and welfare of laboratory animals
• Why Cindy believes public outreach and advocacy is so important to the field of laboratory animal science
• What GetReal! is all about and some details of what listeners can expect to learn while listening

Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

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Resources & Links:

GetReal! about animal research (naiaonline.org)

Animal Welfare | Animal Rights | National Animal Interest Alliance (naiaonline.org)

Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/) 

Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Send us Fan Mail

News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!

https://labratchat.myteespring.co/

In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:

• The use of gene editing in mice to cure sickle cell disease
• Bird feather crystals and their potential use in making solar cells and fiber optics
• A half-male, half-female bird - one of five to have ever been discovered in the wild
• Mice breathing from their butts - a new potential medical discovery

 Links to all these stories can be found below

 Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/

Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!                                                                

Resources & Links:

• Gene editing shows promise as sickle cell therapy – Harvard Gazette
• Discovery in bird feathers has the potential to make fiber optics, solar cells, and fuel cells more efficient | Yale and the World
• Japanese scientists say breathing through rectums 'saved' mice (nypost.com)
• Half-male, half-female songbird discovered in Pennsylvania | Live Science
• Tour a Animal Research Laboratory
• Americans for Medical Progress

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
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All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Send us Fan Mail

Lab Rat Chat - Episode 22 with Dr. Megan LaFollette, an animal behavior & welfare scientist, researcher, & project manager

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support our podcast and biomedical research!

https://labratchat.myteespring.co/

In this episode of Lab Rat Chat, we have a special co-host, Dr. Logan France, who will fill in for Danielle for a few episodes, tune in to the episode for more details.  In this episode, Logan and Jeff chat with Megan Lafollette, an animal behavior and welfare scientist who has conducted lots of incredible research investigating ways to improve the lives of animals (and people).  She advances science, innovation, and research animal welfare with The North American 3Rs Collaborative where they are passionate about refining, reducing, and replacing animals in research.   Megan is also a part of the 3 Minute 3 Rs podcast within her role with The North American 3Rs Collaborative, along with NC3Rs and Lab Animal.   We encourage all our listeners to check out Megan's webpage below and to explore the many exciting initiatives being undertaken by The North American 3Rs Collaborative.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Dr. LaFollette's background and how she became involved in animal behavior and welfare
• The critical aspect of ensuring animal welfare within biomedical research settings
• Rat tickling, how and why to do it, and how we know it's so beneficial to the rats
• The mission of The North American 3Rs Collaborative and details regarding many of their exciting initiatives
• The 3 Minute 3Rs Podcast and why you need to listen - they're only 3-5 minutes long!

Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

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Resources & Links:

Megan R. LaFollette - Megan LaFollette (weebly.com)

3Rs Podcast – The North American 3Rs Collaborative (na3rsc.org)

3 Minute 3Rs on acast

Americans for Medical Progress (https://www.amprogress.org/) 

Americans for Medical Progress COVID-19 Resources (https://www.amprogress.org/covid-19-resources/)

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Send us Fan Mail

News Bites are monthly episodes where Danielle and Jeff break down important topics surrounding the field of biomedical research (and some unrelated topics).

Purchase Lab Rat Chat merch and help support the podcast and biomedical research!

https://labratchat.myteespring.co/

In this News Bite edition, Jeff and Danielle discuss:

• Jeff beginning his 4th and final year of vet school
• Development of humanized pig models
• 7th Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK
• African Swine Fever vaccine development and the major importance of this vaccine
• Antidepressants and swimming mice

 Links to all these stories can be found below

 Sign up for the Lab Rat Chat newsletter!

https://www.amprogress.org/raising-voices/lab-rat-chat/

Follow us on Twitter! Facebook! Instagram!                                                                

Resources & Links:

• We're creating 'humanized pigs' in our ultraclean lab to study human illnesses and treatments (theconversation.com)
• Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK | Openness in animal research (concordatopenness.org.uk)
• PigProgress - American ASF vaccine works through oronasal route
• Researching new antidepressants with swimming mice | Understanding Animal Research | Understanding Animal Research
• EARA Transparency Thursdays - Scientists talk about their research using animals (eara.eu)
• Tour an Animal Research Laboratory
• Americans for Medical Progress

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/ 

Support the show

Follow Lab Rat Chat on X! Facebook! Instagram!
https://twitter.com/thelabratchat
https://www.facebook.com/labratchat
https://www.instagram.com/thelabratchat

All Lab Rat Chat episodes are edited by Audionauts: https://audionauts.pro/