Page 92 - INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ANNUAL REPORT 2020

76 IMR Annual Report 2020

Visitors from the People’s
Republic of China
comprising eight medical
professionals

Special Resource Centre (SRC) Chinese New Year

Rodent Exhibition of
rodent specimens in
Aquaria KLCC in
collaboration with
Aquaria KLCC

The Laboratory Animal Resource Unit (LARU), established in 1940, is the only animal research
facility in MOH which conducts Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP studies as well as
research, training and expert consultation on live animal handling and research. LARU manages
the care and use of laboratory animals to ensure compliance to standards and guidelines for
monitoring the use of animals for research activities. The unit serves as a Secretariat for the
Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) to approve research, testing and teaching on use of
laboratory animals for IMR, NIH and MOH. In 2020, a total of five new research projects applied
for ACUC approval and nine projects applied for extension of ACUC approval.

To ensure the quality of laboratory animals is maintained, a comprehensive and effective breeding
schedule has been provided throughout the year. The laboratory animals which are bred includes
rat, mice, rabbits, hamster and donor animals. With the efficient breeding processes, LARU have
been able to provide quality laboratory animals to researchers in IMR and other government
agencies.