Practical Laboratory Skills
Cryopreservation allows long-term storage of embryos and sperm, providing a convenient way to preserve, protect and transport mouse lines for use in research. Archiving scientifically relevant mouse lines also adheres to good animal welfare practices by removing the need for continued animal breeding and is integral to any comprehensive colony management programme.
Running bi-annually since 2004, this course provides practical experience in murine embryo and spermatozoa freezing techniques routinely used at MRC Harwell and a simple, robust in vitro fertilisation procedure. The course will also cover the basic laboratory skills required when working in an assisted reproductive biology environment such as pipetting, weighing, microscope use, and embryo handling.
Who is this for?
- Research Staff
- Technical Staff and students new to the laboratory environment
- Experienced personnel looking to refresh their skills
After the course you will be able to:
- Prepare and understand the purpose of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) risk assessment (RA) forms
- Understand the importance of good laboratory practice, including choosing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintaining accurate laboratory records
- Correctly use fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, centrifuges and other general laboratory equipment
- Choose the correct pipette for your task and perform common techniques
- Set up and use balances correctly
- Prepare reagents and solutions
- Adjust the pH of solutions
- Incorporate sustainability considerations into laboratory work to support efficient and environmentally responsible research
Price: £400