Refinement & Enrichment Advancements Laboratory
The University of Michigan is home to one of the nation’s first and only programs dedicated to optimizing biomedical research and improving animal well-being through enhanced data collection and decision-making at the intersection of the animals’ lived experiences, caretaker interactions, and the resulting scientific outcomes.
The Refinement & Enrichment Advancements Laboratory (REAL) was originally established in 2014 by ULAM Faculty Veterinarians Jennifer Lofgren DVM, MS, DACLAM, and Jean Nemzek, DVM, MS, DACVS. It is now directed by Tara Martin, DVM, MS, DACLAM, and Patrick Lester DVM, MS, BCPS, DACLAM.
REAL is comprised of laboratory animal veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, trainers, and scientists who collaborate on a shared interest for refining animal model(s), techniques to advance laboratory animal care, and engagement/support strategies for individuals who work with animals in research.
REAL has collaborated with scientists in the University of Michigan’s Department of Surgery and Anesthesiology as well as colleagues at other institutions including Michigan State University, Wayne State University, industry research organizations, and national organizations such as The 3Rs Collaborative. As a laboratory, REAL has received both internal and external funding from the ULAM Cohen Clinical Awards Program, the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) Foundation, and the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Grants for Laboratory Animal Science Program.
Working with cross-campus partners and colleagues from around the world, REAL is committed to validating advancements in enrichment and refinement techniques to produce scientifically sound recommendations for improved animal care and use.
Research Interests & Ongoing Projects
Please visit our Rabbit Social Housing webpage for more information.
- Impact of cage density on environmental parameters and breeding efficiency
- Identification of abnormal behaviors in exotic rodent species
- Use of machine learning to identify and evaluate behavioral ethograms
- Use of social behavior ethograms to promote successful rabbit pairing
- Identification of beneficial enrichment in common laboratory animal species such as rodents, rabbits, swine, and zebrafish
- Development of novel behavioral ethograms to identify post-operative pain in rodents
- Use of touch pad technology to identify post-surgical pain in mouse models
- Use of nesting and grooming tests for assessment of post-operative pain in mice
- Use of novel long-acting analgesics to alleviate post-operative pain in rabbits and rodents
- Use of topically applied analgesics to alleviate post-operative pain in rabbits and rodents
- Development of sedation, anesthesia, and total intravenous anesthesia protocols in rabbits and guinea pigs
- Pharmacokinetic modeling, including analgesics used in laboratory animal species
- Validation of analgesiometry tests in novel species such as exotic rodents, reptiles, and fish
- Validating euthanasia methods that minimize distress in aquatic species
- Use of refined handling and dosing methods to reduce distress in animals
- Effects of anesthetic and analgesic use on common research methods
Visit the Compassion Awareness Project webpage for more information.
- Identifying factors that contribute to compassion fatigue in laboratory animal care workers
- Promoting compassion satisfaction in laboratory animal care workers
- Identifying key components of institutional compassion fatigue/satisfaction programs
Selected Publications
- Yang P, Yang S, Durham LB, Lester PA, Myers DD. Evaluation of Efficacy of 2 Extended-release Bupivacaine Products in a Porcine Model of Incisional Pain. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2024 Jul 1;63(4):422-427. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-23-000106. Epub 2024 Mar 20. PMID: 38508691; PMCID: PMC11270038.
- Simmons T, Hish G, Martin TL, Lester PA. Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of a Topical Extended-release Analgesic in Mice. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2024 May 25. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-23-000117. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38796302.
- Young L, Ferrara F, Kelly L, Martin T, Thompson-Iritani S, et al. (2024) Professional quality of life in animal research personnel is linked to retention & job satisfaction: A mixed-methods cross-sectional survey on compassion fatigue in the USA. PLOS ONE 19(4): e0298744. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298744
- Young L, Goldsteen D, Nunamaker EA, Prescott MJ, Reynolds P, Thompson-Iritani S, Thurston SE, Martin TL, LaFollette MR. Using refined methods to pick up mice: A survey benchmarking prevalence & beliefs about tunnel and cup handling. PLoS One. 2023 Sep 7;18(9):e0288010. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288010. PMID: 37676886; PMCID: PMC10484434.
- Yang P, Hish G, Lester PA. Comparison of Systemic Extended-release Buprenorphine and Local Extended-release Bupivacaine-Meloxicam as Analgesics for Laparotomy in Mice. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2023 Sep 1;62(5):416-422. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-22-000107. Epub 2023 Aug 23. PMID: 37612078; PMCID: PMC10597327.
- Bradley MP, Doerning CM, Nowland MH, Pasloske K, Lester PA. Evaluation of alfaxalone total intravenous anesthesia in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) premedicated with dexmedetomidine or dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2022 May;49(3):308-312. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2022.01.006. Epub 2022 Feb 2. PMID: 35227614.
- Thurston SE, Chan G, Burlingame LA, Jones JA, Lester PA, Martin TL. Compassion Fatigue in Laboratory Animal Personnel during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2021 Nov 1;60(6):646-654. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-21-000030. Epub 2021 Oct 28. PMID: 34711300; PMCID: PMC8628530.
- Xu JJ, Thurston SE, Robinson TJ, Escara-Wilke JF, Daignault-Newton S, Martin TL, Keller ET, Keller JM. Effects of Analgesics on Tumor Growth in Mouse Models of Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2021 May 1;60(3):341-348. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-20-000060. Epub 2021 May 3. PMID: 33952382; PMCID: PMC8145123.
- Burlingame LA, Gaskill BN, Lofgren JL. Identification of Sick or Dead Mice (Mus musculus) Housed with 6 Grams of Crinkle Paper Nesting Material. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2021 Jan 1;60(1):18-27. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-000164. Epub 2020 Sep 28. PMID: 32988432; PMCID: PMC7831342.
- Xu JJ, Yousuf Z, Ouyang Z, Kennedy E, Lester PA, Martin T, Bruns TM. Anesthetic agents affect urodynamic parameters and anesthetic depth at doses necessary to facilitate preclinical testing in felines. Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 9;10(1):11401. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68395-3. PMID: 32647241; PMCID: PMC7347647.
- Krueger LD, Thurston SE, Kirk J, Elsaeidi F, Freeman ZT, Goldman D, Lofgren JL, Keller JM. Enrichment Preferences of Singly Housed Zebrafish (Danio rerio). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2020 Mar 1;59(2):148-155. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-000078. Epub 2020 Feb 5. PMID: 32024580; PMCID: PMC7073398.
- Carpenter KC, Thurston SE, Hoenerhoff MJ, Lofgren JL. Effects of Trio and Pair Breeding of Mice on Environmental Parameters and Nasal Pathology and Their Implications for Cage Change Frequency. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2020 May 1;59(3):288-297. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-000074. Epub 2020 Feb 28. PMID: 32111266; PMCID: PMC7210739.
- Bradley MP, Doerning CM, Nowland MH, Lester PA. Intramuscular Administration of Alfaxalone Alone and in Combination for Sedation and Anesthesia of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2019 Mar 1;58(2):216-222. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-18-000078. Epub 2019 Feb 28. PMID: 30819274; PMCID: PMC6433347
- Thurston S, Burlingame L, Lester PA, Lofgren J. Methods of Pairing and Pair Maintenance of New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) Via Behavioral Ethogram, Monitoring, and Interventions. J Vis Exp. 2018 Mar 16;(133):57267. doi: 10.3791/57267. PMID: 29608160; PMCID: PMC5931771.
- Oliver VL, Thurston SE, Lofgren JL. Using Cageside Measures to Evaluate Analgesic Efficacy in Mice (Mus musculus) after Surgery. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2018 Mar 1;57(2):186-201. PMID: 29555008; PMCID: PMC5868385.
- Doerning CM, Bradley MP, Lester PA, Nowland MH. Effects of subcutaneous alfaxalone alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Vet Anaesth Analg. 2018 Sep;45(5):658-666. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2018.06.004. Epub 2018 Jul 2. PMID: 30064914
- Beninson JA, Lofgren JL, Lester PA, Hileman MM, Berkowitz DJ, Myers DD Jr. Analgesic Efficacy and Hematologic Effects of Robenacoxib in Mice. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2018 May 1;57(3):258-267. PMID: 29784076; PMCID: PMC5966233.
- Lofgren JL, Lee CSL, Bradshaw C, Miller AL, Flecknell P, Roughan J. (2017) Welfare assessment and protective effects of analgesics on tumour growth in orthotopic 4T1 and B16 mouse cancer models. Laboratory Animals (UK). Published December 5, 2017.
- Oliver VL, Athavale S, Simon K, Kendall LV, Nemzek JA, Lofgren JL. (2017) Evaluation of Pain Assessments and Analgesia Efficacy in a Female Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) Model of Surgical Pain. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. June 15, 2017.
Presentations & Posters
2024
- Refined Dosing Methods to Reduce Distress, June 2024, 63rd Annual CALAS/ACSAL Symposium, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Transdermal Delivery of Analgesic Drugs in Laboratory Animals, November 2024, ASLAP 2024 CE Event: Advances in Sustained Release Analgesia in Lab Animal Medicine, Nashville, TN
- From Alpacas to Zebrafish: How to Select and Evaluate Environmental Enrichment, November 2024, PRIM&R National Meeting, Seattle, WA
2023
- Compassion Fatigue in Veterinary Professionals, Michigan Veterinary Conference, October 2023, Novi, MI
- Recent Refinements in Laboratory Animal Medicine, Michigan Veterinary Conference, October 2023, Novi, MI
2022
- Novel Sustained Release Buprenorphine Therapy in Rats. ACLAM (American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine) Forum, May 2022, San Antonio, TX
- Rabbit Social Housing, OLAW (Office of laboratory Animal Welfare) Conversations Webinar, August 2022, Virtual Presentation.
- Enrichment in Laboratory Animals, Michigan Veterinary Conference, October 2022, Grand Rapids, MI
- Practical Applications of Behavior Assessment, ASLAP CE (American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners Continuing Education) Day, October 2022, Louisville, KY
2021
- The Importance of Natural Play-Behavior and the Benefits to Science and Animal Well-Being, Public Responsibility in Research and Medicine (PRIM&R) – IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) Conference, April 2021, Virtual Conference
- Utility of Cageside Body Condition Scoring in Weight Monitoring of New Zealand White Rabbits, October 2021, National AALAS Meeting, Kansas City, KS
- Evaluation of compassion fatigue in laboratory animal personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, October 2021, National AALAS Meeting, Kansas City, KS
2020
- Research Animal Retirement/Adoption-Response to Adoption-Directed Legislation, Public Responsibility in Research and Medicine (PRIM&R) – IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) Conference, June 2020, Virtual Conference
- Engaging Our Animals: Tips For Selecting Species Appropriate Enrichment, Michigan Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences, September 2020, Online Lecture
2019
- Refinement and Enrichment Advancements Laboratory (REAL), Massachusetts Society for Medical Research / Animal Enrichment Symposium, May 2019, Newton, MA
- Weight Variation Trends in Male Juvenile and Adult Pair Housed New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), October 2019, National AALAS Meeting, Denver, CO
- To the Elevator and Beyond: Improving Work Related Conversations with Family and Friends, October 2019, National AALAS Meeting, Denver, CO
2018
- Evaluation of Subcutaneous Alfaxalone for Sedation and Anesthesia in the Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus), District 5 AALAS, January 2018, Columbus, OH
- Compassion Fatigue Be Aware. Take Care, October 2018, National AALAS Meeting, Baltimore, MD
- Social behavior and enrichment of the New Zealand White Rabbit, Minnesota AALAS / Social Housing and Enrichment Symposium, November 2018, Burnsville, MN
2017
- Evaluation of Analgesia Efficacy in Postoperative Mice Using Novel Cage-Side Measures. Lab Roots Bioconference Live Laboratory Animal Sciences Virtual Event, February 2017
- Social Housing of Laboratory Rabbits. Lab Roots Bioconference Live Laboratory Animal Sciences Virtual Event, February 2017
- Engaging through Enrichment: How the Animal Enrichment Committee works to combat compassion fatigue, Lab Roots Bioconference Live Laboratory Animal Sciences Virtual Event, February 2017
- Perioperative Management and Social Housing, Scientists Concerned with Animal Welfare. (SCAW): Animal Welfare and the IACUC Role in Assuring It, December 2017, San Antonio, TX
- Novel Cage-Side Assessments of Post-Operative Pain in Mice. World Congress for Alternatives, August 2017, Seattle, WA
- Assessing Pain in Laboratory Animal Species. Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine National Meeting, June 2017, Calgary, Canada
- The Three Rs: Putting the Principles Into Practice. Panel and Breakout Session. PRIM&R Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Conference, March 2017, New Orleans, LA
- Managing Social Housing for Rodents and Rabbits. PRIM&R Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Conference, March 2017, New Orleans, LA
- Challenges of Assessing Pain in Rodents. Laboratory Animal Science Symposium, March 2017, University of Guelph, Canada
- Optimizing Pairing Practices for Female New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), October 2017, National AALAS Meeting, Austin, TX
- Can Lavender Essential Oils Reduce Distress in Mice During CO2 Euthanasia?, October 2017, National AALAS Meeting, Austin, TX
- Evaluation of Analgesia Efficacy in Postoperative Mice Using Novel Cage-Side Measures, October 2017, National AALAS Meeting, Austin, TX
- Three Is a Crowd: Transitioning from Trio to Paired Mouse Breeding, October 2017, National AALAS Meeting, Austin, TX
- Impact of Trio and Pair Breeding on Environmental Parameters and Breeding Efficiency: Implications For Cage Change Frequencies, October 2017, National AALAS Meeting, Austin, TX
- Compassion Fatigue Education and Engagement in Animal Research, October 2017, National AALAS Meeting, Austin, TX
2016
- Novel Cage-Side Assessments of Post-Operative Pain in Mice, October 2016, National AALAS Meeting, Charlotte, NC
- Evaluation of Analgesia Efficacy in a Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) Surgical Pain Model, October 2016, National AALAS Meeting, Charlotte, NC
- Transgenic Rabbit Breeding Colony Kit Survival Rates, October 2016, National AALAS Meeting, Charlotte, NC
- The Effects of Socialization and Playtime on Antibody Production in Long-Term, Single-Housed New Zealand White Rabbits, October 2016, National AALAS Meeting, Charlotte, NC
- Evaluation of Analgesia Efficacy in a Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) Surgical Pain Model, October 2016, National AALAS Meeting, Charlotte, NC
- Novel Cageside Methods for Recognizing Unalleviated Postoperative Pain in Mice, October 2016, National AALAS Meeting, Charlotte, NC
- Which Nest Is Best? Nesting Material Improves NZW, October 2016, National AALAS Meeting, Charlotte, NC
2015
- Modifying Rabbit Anesthesia for Increased Surgical Duration, October 2015, National AALAS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
- Microfluidic Alternatives to Animal Research, October 2015, National AALAS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
- Comparison of Rolled Paper to Crinkle Paper as Enrichment for C57BL/6J Mice, October 2015, National AALAS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
- Digital Modeling as a Novel Approach to the Analysis of Mouse Nests, October 2015, National AALAS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
- Novel Methods of Evaluation of Postsurgical Pain in Female Guinea Pigs, October 2015, National AALAS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
- Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy in the Male Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus), October 2015, National AALAS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
- Large Nests Do Not Interfere with the Ability to Identify Sick or Dead Mice, October 2015, National AALAS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
- Troubleshooting Aggressive Behaviors in Pair-Housed Rabbits Using Environmental Enrichment, October 2015, National AALAS Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
2014
- Concentration Impacts Analgesic Efficacy of Tramadol in Mice, October 2014, National AALAS Meeting, San Antonio, TX
- Benefits of 21% O2 Compared with 100% O2 for Isoflurane Delivery to Mice, October 2014, National AALAS Meeting, San Antonio, TX
- Behavioral Ethograms as a Health Assessment Tool in a Feline Vaccine Study, October 2014, National AALAS Meeting, San Antonio, TX
- A Novel TouchPad Application As A Functional Tool for Gait Assessment: A Pilot Study Using a Murine Hindlimb Ischemia Model, October 2014, National AALAS Meeting, San Antonio, TX
- Validation of a Novel Behavioral Ethogram for Identification of Post-operative Pain in the Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus), October 2014, National AALAS Meeting, San Antonio, TX
- Presence of Nesting Material Does Not Prevent Ability To Accurately Identify Sick or Dead Mice During Routine Health Checking, October 2014, National AALAS Meeting, San Antonio, TX
2013
- Determination of an Effective Tramadol Dose in a Murine Model of Abdominal Surgery and Inflammation, October 2013, National AALAS Meeting, Baltimore, MD
- Which Nest is Best? A Study to Harmonize the Happiness of Both Mouse and Animal Care Technician, October 2013, National AALAS Meeting, Baltimore, MD
Affiliated Faculty
- Yvonne Rosales Cornejo, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
- Dalis Collins, DVM, DACLAM
- Gerry Hish, DVM, DACLAM
- Jill Keller, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
- Patrick Lester, DVM, MS, DACLAM
- Tara Martin, DVM, DACLAM
- Jean Nemzek, DVM, MS, DACVS
Related A-Z Documents
Questions?
If you would like to more about REAL, or are interested in learning about how animal enrichment can enhance your next project, please contact ulam-questions@umich.edu or call (734) 764-0277.