C8338 - VETERBRATE BIOMODELS: LABORATORY ANIMALS

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student understands the strengths, weaknesses, alternatives, comparativeness, and limitations of mammalian and fish biomodels, with a specific focus on the main species used in research. The student learns the principal strategies for the generation, management, and use of transgenic and mutated mouse models. The student gains knowledge of the application of ethical principles and animal welfare in experimentation, integrating these with practical aspects of biomedical research. The student also acquires skills in selecting the best practices for the management of animal facilities and in handling techniques for the most commonly used animal species.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course “Biomodels”.

Upon completion of the Integrated Course unit, the student will be able to understand the strengths, weaknesses, alternatives, comparative value, and limitations of the principal vertebrate biomodels used in biomedical research; critically evaluate the selection and application of mammalian and fish models according to the scientific objectives; understand the generation and use of genetically modified animal models; apply ethical principles and animal welfare concepts in experimental design; and identify best practices for the management of animal facilities and laboratory animals.

The syllabus of this module is structured as follows:

MODULE 1 – Prof. Luca Lorenzini

Lectures

• Introduction to laboratory animal science: historical development, role of laboratory animal models in biomedical research, principles of comparative biology, and criteria for selecting the most appropriate animal model (2 h);

• Biology, anatomy, physiology, behaviour, and research applications of the principal mammalian laboratory species (mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, and hamster), including comparison with human biology (5 h);

• Biology, husbandry, and biomedical applications of zebrafish as an experimental model (2 h);

• Generation, breeding, colony management, and nomenclature of genetically altered mouse models, including transgenic, knockout, knock-in, conditional, and CRISPR/Cas-derived models (4 h);

• Management of laboratory animal facilities: housing systems, environmental enrichment, microbiological monitoring, health surveillance, and biosecurity (3 h);

• Ethical principles and legislation governing the use of animals for scientific purposes, including the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement), animal welfare, severity assessment, humane endpoints, and refinement strategies (5 h);

• Best practices for handling, restraint, identification, administration procedures, blood sampling, and euthanasia of laboratory rodents, with emphasis on refinement and welfare implications (3 h).

MODULE 2 – Dr. Domenico Ventrella

Lectures

• Physiology of the domestic animal species most commonly used in biomedical research and comparison with human physiology (3 h);
• Housing and husbandry of domestic animal species used in biomedical research (2 h);
• Refinement strategies for the use of domestic animal species in research (2 h);
• Experimental design and statistical approaches, including sample size calculations (1 h).

Laboratory/Practical Sessions

• Visit to a porcine experimental facility and assessment of pig welfare (4 h);
• Simulation of habituation and training sessions with experimental pigs (2 h);
• Simulation of sample collection using phantoms (2 h);
• Journal club: student presentations of selected papers and plenary discussion (4 h).

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ).

Teaching methods

The course will be organized in frontal lessons and practice with problem based interactive activities.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 via e-learning, and Module 3 on health and safety training in study environments. Information about the schedule and access to Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

 

Assessment methods

To be eligible to sit the examination, students must have passed and officially registered the prerequisite course units specified in the Degree Programme Regulations, available here [https://corsi.unibo.it/singlecycle/VeterinaryMedicine/course-structure-diagram/vet-med-propedeuticita_13gen2026-1.pdf/@@download/file/Vet%20Med%20course%20prerequisites.pdf] .

The assessment for the Integrated Course consists of a written multiple-choice examination aimed at evaluating the achievement of the expected learning outcomes across both component courses.

The written examination consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, proportionally distributed according to the CFU credits of each component course. Each question has one or more correct answers.

• Correct answer: 1 point

• Partially correct answer: 0.5 points

• Incorrect answer: 0 points

• Blank answer: 0 points

The time allowed for the examination is 90 minutes.

A minimum score of 36/60 is required to pass the examination. In addition, students must obtain at least 18/30 in each component course to demonstrate adequate knowledge of all the subjects covered by the Integrated Course.

The final grade is not calculated as the arithmetic mean of separate grades assigned to the two component courses. Provided that the minimum threshold has been achieved in both sections, the overall score obtained in the 60-question examination is converted into a mark out of 30. The conversion is based on the overall percentage of points obtained, with 36/60 corresponding to 18/30 and 60/60 corresponding to 30/30. Intermediate scores and any rounding are determined by the instructors according to the student's overall performance. Honours (30 cum laude) may be awarded to students demonstrating outstanding knowledge and an excellent level of achievement.

No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

The results of the written exam will be published within 5 working days on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ) by the designated course contact.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Teaching activities are supported by PowerPoint presentations, educational videos, and in-class quizzes designed to promote active learning and self-assessment. Additional learning materials, including scientific articles and supplementary resources, may be made available through the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/ ) during the course.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Lorenzini

See the website of Domenico Ventrella