Animal experimentation plays a major role in the development and control of biological products and large numbers of animals are used for routine batch control. During the past few years considerable attention has been paid to the concept of replacing, reducing and refining (the three Rs) the use of animals for this purpose. This volume contains the proceedings of an international meeting held in Utrecht in November 2001 in which the problems associated with applying the three Rs were discussed. Particular emphasis was given to the validation and regulatory acceptance of in vitro methods and new concepts of quality control. Those issues are important for the scientific community at large as well as manufacturers, regulatory authorities and everyone concerned with animal welfare.

This book is an indispensable tool for anyone involved in the research, development, or manufacture of new or existing vaccines. It describes a wide array of analytical and quality control technologies for the diverse vaccine modalities. Topics covered include the application of both classical and modern bio-analytical tools; procedures to assure safety and control of cross contamination; consistent biological transition of vaccines from the research laboratory to manufacturing scale; whole infectious attenuated organisms, such as live-attenuated and inactivated whole-cell bacterial vaccines and antiviral vaccines using attenuated or inactivated viruses; principles of viral inactivation and the application of these principles to vaccine development; recombinant DNA approaches to produce modern prophylactic vaccines; bacterial subunit, polysaccharide and glycoconjugate vaccines; combination vaccines that contain multiple antigens as well as regulatory requirements and the hurdles of licensure.

Scientific experiments using animals have contributed significantly to the improvement of human health. Animal experiments were crucial to the conquest of polio, for example, and they will undoubtedly be one of the keystones in AIDS research. However, some persons believe that the cost to the animals is often high. Authored by a committee of experts from various fields, this book discusses the benefits that have resulted from animal research, the scope of animal research today, the concerns of advocates of animal welfare, and the prospects for finding alternatives to animal use. The authors conclude with specific recommendations for more consistent government action.

"It includes a review of the state of the art in animal genomics and its applications to animal health. The contributions describe the new tools available, such as HapMaps for chicken and cattle, and show how the understanding of gene structure and function can be successfully applied to delineate the molecular mechanisms of disease and determine complex phenotypes associated with health traits. A critical evaluation of future needs and future applications of animal genomics is also presented. The integration of animal genomics in animal health research is likely to revolutionize the way scientists approach the challenges of discovering highly effective drugs and vaccines for animal diseases."--BOOK JACKET.

Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) are a major threat to livestock. They are highly contagious or transmissible, and they have the potential to cause high morbidity and mortality in both susceptible animal populations and humans. In addition, not only are TADs detrimental to national economies, they are also a serious threat to world food security. This volume presents the proceedings of an international workshop on Vaccines and Diagnostics for Transboundary Animal Diseases that was held in Ames (Iowa, USA) in 2012. Experts and scientists from academia, industry and government reviewed the current status of vaccines and diagnostics for high priority TADs, decision-making and regulatory processes for veterinary biologics, and the roles and responsibilities of government agencies. The discussions also addressed achievements and gaps in vaccine and diagnostics development for 11 important TADs as well as the translation of research findings into licensed novel vaccines and diagnostics for high-priority TADs.

Medicines from Animal Cell Culture focuses on the use of animal cell culture, which has been used to produce human and veterinary vaccines, interferon, monoclonal antibodies and genetically engineered products such as tPA and erythropoietin. It also addresses the recent dramatic expansion in cell-based therapies, including the use of live cells for tissue regeneration and the culture of stem cells. Medicines from Animal Cell Culture: Provides comprehensive descriptions of methods for cell culture and nutrition as well as the technologies for the preservation and characterisation of both the cells and the derived products Describes the preparation of stem cells and others for use in cell-based therapies – an area of burgeoning research Includes experimental examples to indicate expected results Covers regulatory issues from the UK, the EU and the USA and reviews how these are developing around the world Addresses the key issues of standardisation and validation with chapters on GLP and GMP for cell culture processes Delivering insight into the exciting world of biological medicines and directions for further investigation into specific topics, Medicines from Animal Cell Culture is an essential resource for researchers and technicians at all levels using cell culture within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and biomedical industries. It is of value to laboratory managers in these industries and to all those interested in this topic alike.

Animals and Medicine: The Contribution of Animal Experiments to the Control of Disease offers a detailed, scholarly historical review of the critical role animal experiments have played in advancing medical knowledge. Laboratory animals have been essential to this progress, and the knowledge gained has saved countless lives—both human and animal. Unfortunately, those opposed to using animals in research have often employed doctored evidence to suggest that the practice has impeded medical progress. This volume presents the articles Jack Botting wrote for the Research Defence Society News from 1991 to 1996, papers which provided scientists with the information needed to rebut such claims. Collected, they can now reach a wider readership interested in understanding the part of animal experiments in the history of medicine—from the discovery of key vaccines to the advancement of research on a range of diseases, among them hypertension, kidney failure and cancer.This book is essential reading for anyone curious about the role of animal experimentation in the history of science from the nineteenth century to the present.

Research in veterinary science is critical for the health and well-being of animals, including humans. Food safety, emerging infectious diseases, the development of new therapies, and the possibility of bioterrorism are examples of issues addressed by veterinary science that have an impact on both human and animal health. However, there is a lack of scientists engaged in veterinary research. Too few veterinarians pursue research careers, and there is a shortage of facilities and funding for conducting research. This report identifies questions and issues that veterinary research can help to address, and discusses the scientific expertise and infrastructure needed to meet the most critical research needs. The report finds that there is an urgent need to provide adequate resources for investigators, training programs, and facilities involved in veterinary research.

This monograph comprises the proceedings of the International Conference on Avian Influenza held in Paris, France, in April 2005. Discussed were new scientific discoveries in the domain of avian influenza (AI), with special emphasis on the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It provides important up-to-date information on the virology, epidemiology and molecular biology as well as the history of episodes of avian influenza in different parts of the world and their consequences. The publication aims at making recommendations to compare and improve the international procedures and standards related to the identification, prevention, control and elimination of AI epizootics as they are a threat to the livelihood of farmers, especially in developing countries, to public health as well as to national economies. Chief veterinary officers, animal health regulatory officials, veterinarians, poultry-raising associations, consumer associations, specialised journalists and all those who need to understand and control AI episodes will benefit from reading this book.

Botulinum toxins now play a very significant role in the management of a wide variety of medical conditions; from headaches to hypersalivation, and from spasticity to sweating. In this book, a strong, international team of experts outline the basic neurochemistry of botulinum toxins and chart the progress of the drug from laboratory to clinic. Then individual chapters summarize their use for the main clinical indications in the context of other available treatments. This book will be of interest to neuroscientists and practising clinicians working in a wide range of specialities, from neurology and dermatology to pediatrics, plastic surgery and rehabilitation medicine.