In a first step toward reopening our refurbished Biological Research Facility (BRF), we have now opened a new state of the art Zebrafish Unit.
The Biological Research Facility (BRF) at City St George’s, University of London is a highly-regulated area within the university. It is responsible for ensuring that whenever research requiring animals is approved by City St George’s, and with authorisation of the UK government, that such research is carried out with the best possible welfare standards – within a great ‘culture of care’ that society, as a whole, would expect.
Our Zebrafish Unit comprises specialist animal laboratory facilities that have been purpose-built and maintained for the housing and care of zebrafish required by City St George’s scientists for medical research. These laboratory areas are staffed by a dedicated team of experienced animal technologists, who have gained qualifications from the Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) and who provide specialist assistance to the research groups at the university on all aspects of animal care and welfare.
This involves ensuring a high standard of laboratory animal husbandry through provision of a hygienic environment (within suitable animal holding systems such as cages, pens and tanks), high-quality diet and clean water, which allow the ‘five freedoms’ of animal welfare to be achieved.
Our Commitments and Obligations
The staff of the BRF are responsible for maintaining the high standards of animal care and welfare expected by City St George’s Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body (AWERB), and for ensuring the university’s legal compliance with UK Home Office regulations under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Inspectors from the Home Office conduct unannounced inspections at the BRF to ensure the various licence conditions are being complied with. Failure to comply can result in revocation of any or all of the three levels of licensing applicable, may also include a fine and, for a major breach of licence conditions, a custodial sentence for the person named on ‘The Establishment Licence’ could apply.
The animal technologists (BRF team) at City St George’s work closely with the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) on all welfare aspects, with certain members of the team, eg Named Animal Care & Welfare Officer (NACWO), Named Training & Competency Officer (NTCO), Named Information Officer (NIO), having additional legal responsibilities for upholding the high standards defined within the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, as amended in 2012 and subsequently.
City St George’s has a Use of Animals in Research policy, which is regularly reviewed and updated in line with new developments, progress and refinements as recommended from many national and international sources, but in particular from NC3Rs, the Fund for Replacement of Animals in Medical Research (FRAME) and Norecopa.
The School of Health & Medical Sciences was an early signatory to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research and strongly embraces the commitments and obligations signed ‘up to’ within this agreement. The BRF team are proactive in activities which ensure Concordat commitments continually progress at the university.
Openness on Animal Research
We are committed to a policy of openness and transparency in every respect, and the use of animals by scientists to find treatments and cures for medical conditions is no different.
Read more about our Openness on Animal Research At City St George's School of Health & Medical Sciences
Animal Research Statistics
Each year, we report the number of animals used in scientific procedures to the UK Home Office, in line with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Read more about our research statistics.
Ethical Considerations
City St George’s is committed to reducing the use of animals in research wherever possible. Learn how we assess animal research requests and prioritise ethical alternatives.
Learn about our ethical review process.
Useful Links on Animals and Research
The following links will provide information about organisations associated with animals in medical research. These organisations provide information which is valuable to both those involved in research and the general public.
- Understanding Animal Research is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing clear, balanced information on how and why animals are used in research.
- RSPCA play a key role in advising those involved in the regulation, care and use of laboratory animals, with a particular emphasis on animal welfare.
- NC3Rs is a scientific organisation that aims to promote the replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use in research.
- Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) work to encourage the uptake of non-animal methods in research.
- Norecopa is a Norwegian organisation advocating for the replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use in scientific research.
- Utrecht Centre for 3Rs, based in the Netherlands, works to support the replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use in research.
- GOV.UK the UK government website provides a wide range of information on the regulation of animal research within the UK.