Okayama University Staff Enhances Skills at SNBL Laboratory Animal Workshop

Enhancing Expertise in Laboratory Animal Techniques

On December 8, 2025, two technical staff members from Okayama University participated in a specialized training workshop hosted by SNBL (Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories). This event aimed to improve the skills of the participants in the management and handling of laboratory animals, specifically rats, focusing on perfusion fixation and tissue collection techniques.

The attendees included Sumire Ishihara, a specialist from the university's Comprehensive Technical Department's Equipment Analysis and Biological Resources Technology Division, and Sachiko Akagi from the Animal Resource Division at the Natural Life Science Research Support Center. Their participation stemmed from previous collaborations with SNBL, facilitated through interactions with the Japan Association of Laboratory Animal Technologists.

During the workshop, Ms. Ishihara expressed her enthusiasm for the training, highlighting how it addresses the needs of internal researchers. "Our center regularly holds practical training sessions for mice and rats for university researchers. However, there have been instances where we could not fully address the participants' questions on perfusion fixation and dissection methods. This workshop provided me with accurate techniques for these procedures and insights on how to better meet the researchers' needs."

The workshop sessions covered intricate aspects of laboratory animal techniques, emphasizing the importance of understanding the intended use of harvested organs. An instructor emphasized that by confirming the purpose behind the organ collection, they could offer more relevant suggestions to researchers, enhancing the overall research outcomes.

As a result of this training, Ms. Ishihara plans to revisit and revamp the support system for researchers at the university. She stated, "I want to apply the knowledge gained from this workshop in our practical training sessions for mice and rats, ensuring we provide comprehensive assistance to our researchers."

Additionally, the vice president and senior URA of the Comprehensive Technical Department at Okayama University, Motohito Sato, extended his gratitude to the instructors at SNBL, including Aiko Yuzukawa. He remarked, "We are strategically advancing the development of our technical staff to elevate their skills. By incorporating external knowledge and spreading it throughout our organization, we aim to enhance our overall capabilities while also ensuring a cycle of knowledge transfer between our organization and society."

Both Ms. Ishihara and Ms. Akagi hold certifications as first-class laboratory animal technicians from the Japan Association of Laboratory Animal Technologists. They are committed to applying their expertise to provide technical guidance during the university's practical training sessions on laboratory animals.

Okayama University is dedicated to nurturing its technical staff, aiming to become a leading research university distinguished by unique regional collaborations. Expectations for the growth of the university's staff and the quality of its research initiatives continue to rise as they contribute to the advancement of science and technology in Japan.

Workshop Training Session

The staff's commitment to enhancing their expertise through external training reflects the university's dedication to excellence in research and innovation. As they return to their roles, the knowledge acquired during the SNBL workshop is likely to enrich the academic community and contribute to the university's mission of fostering advanced research practices.

For further information, please contact Sumire Ishihara at Okayama University's Comprehensive Technical Department. More details about the training and ongoing initiatives can be accessed on the university's official website.