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BACKGROUND

The National Large Animal Research Facility (NLARF) is a joint collaboration between two Academic Medical Centres – SingHealth and National University Health System (NUHS). It is supported by a National Research Foundation (NRF) grant, which is administered by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC). The development and operation of NLARF is overseen by a Joint Governing Board with representatives from NMRC, SingHealth and NUHS.

The Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2020 planning exercise reiterates its importance in Singapore's biomedical research community.

Based in Northwest Singapore, NLARF operates a large animal-based research and housing facility which is licensed by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA). Prior to its transformation into NLARF, the predecessor facility (known as SingHealth Sembawang AH&H) was set up in 2001 and has attained its Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International accreditation since 2006. This AAALAC Accreditation continues for the NLARF animal care and use programme. The NLARF programme is fully equipped with international quarantine facilities for large animals, including domestic pigs, mini pigs and Non-Human Primates (NHPs).

Through well-established working relationships with overseas suppliers, NLARF carries out regular imports to meet the local scienti�c demands for research-quality NHPs and pigs. The successful importation of an improved genetic line of pigs from the Netherlands in 2013, has allowed NLARF to supply High Health Status (HHS) pigs for Singapore.

KEY OBJECTIVES

To utilise and disburse NLARF funds in accordance with milestones mapped out to meet national objectives.

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide quality services in support of biomedical research and training with adherence to the highest international standards for humane and ethical animal care and use.

Located on a vast 47200 sqm of land, NLARF has a large and expandable capacity for housing large animals. It is capable of producing more than 250 research-quality pigs per year, and has a daily housing capacity of 200 pigs (30-60kg) and 750 NHPs. The facility also provides potential for housing di�erent species of animals, such as goats, dogs and others.

In 2013, NLARF supplied about 300 domestic pigs (in-house bred and imported) for use in SingHealth, NUHS and other local animal research facilities. It also provided quarantine services for more than 100 NHPs. In addition, NLARF received and quarantined its �rst batch of High Health Status (HHS) pigs from the Netherlands. Thereafter, imports have been organised every two months to meet the local scienti�c demands. Furthermore, NLARF has initiated a programme to replace old breeder stock with these HHS breeder pigs. This follows its objective to ramp up its pig breeding programme with improved genetics and to reduce reliance on imported pigs.

The NLARF site currently houses the only large animal ABSL3 facility in Singapore. It is operated by Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore for scienti�c research with infectious biological agents. Sharing the site is A*STAR's Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), which has also funded the establishment of specialised facilities for its signature research programme. In addition, Primetrics Pte Ltd – a private company providing Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicology services – operates a commercial AVA-approved international quarantine facility within the site.

We have used this facility for over six years to house animals and carry out experiments. Management of the facility is very e�cient, and they make an e�ort to communicate regularly with the tenants to ensure our needs are met. The services provided have been of the highest standard and the sta� are friendly and helpful. Overall, we are very satis�ed with the facility and services provided.

Dr Camilo Libedinsky, PhDResearch Fellow Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences

CORE STRENGTHS

The only AVA-approved international quarantine for pigs and NHPs in Singapore

Expertise in large animal* importation for scienti�c uses, including regulatory clearance

Competent team of professionals trained in management of large animals* for research

Research quality NHPs and pigs (local and imported)

Long-term housing of large animals* in sheltered outdoor housing

OTHER SERVICES

Supply of large animals* at age and/or weight required for research

Animal care, maintenance and emergency treatment

Technical and veterinary services for PI-initiated research

Transport services for large animals* using a designated, climate-controlled vehicle

Training courses in large animal* husbandry, care and basic diagnostics

Comprehensive services to meet PI’s research needs, including import of other animal models

*Large animals include pigs, NHPs

and other species such as goats,

dogs, etc.

We rely heavily on the NLARF sta� and facilities to support the research of NUS and NUHS investigators.  The leadership and sta� are easy to work with, knowledgeable and service-oriented.  We are fortunate to be able to call on the support of these colleagues.

Dr Michele M. (Smith) BaileyDirector, Comparative Medicine and Attending Veterinarian Professor (Adj.) Dept of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine,National University of Singapore

300PIGS SUPPLIEDPER YEAR

750NHPs HOUSING CAPACITY

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The content is correct at the time of printing.©2015 SingHealth O�ce of Research. All rights reserved.

National Large Animal Research Facility (NLARF)c/o SingHealth Experimental Medicine Centre (SEMC)

20 College Road,The Academia, Basement 1Singapore 169856

Tel: (+65) 6576 7041Fax: (+65) 6221 8936Email: shs.semc@singhealth.com.sg

DIRECTOR’S BIO

Dr Bryan Ogden, Chief Veterinary O�cer for SingHealth, is Director of SingHealth Experimental Medicine Centre (SEMC) and the National Large Animal Research Facility (NLARF). He is a Diplomate in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine with over 25 years of experience in supporting the humane care and use of animals in research and teaching. He is a member of Singapore's National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) and a Council Member for AAALAC International.