Taipei: Taiwan's National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs) on Tuesday introduced a new interactive lab animal microsurgery education center, touting its ability to increase the post-surgical survival rate of lab animals to nearly 100 percent. At a press conference, NARLabs President Tsai Hung-yin introduced the new facility, which was established by the National Laboratory Animal Center (NLAC) under NARLabs in Taipei, as the first of its kind in the world.

According to Focus Taiwan, Tsai stated that researchers often simulate illness and diseases-such as strokes from vascular embolism-on small lab animals using microsurgeries to test new treatments and medications. However, enhancing microsurgery skills and reducing the use of lab animals is a global trend the center seeks to follow.

NLAC Director-General Chin Hsian-jean highlighted that the education center, which was opened in October 2024, utilizes a hybrid teaching method that allows students to watch surgical operations on their individual devices on site, from home, or on streaming applications. This method contrasts with traditional approaches where students had to crowd around a single screen.

The facility can accommodate 12 students, allowing the teacher to observe their operations and provide real-time guidance. Chin also mentioned that the NLAC has developed bionic teaching aids, including models of skin and vessels, for beginners to practice on, thereby reducing the number of lab animals operated on.

Previously, student microsurgeries resulted in a large number of lab animal deaths, with a survival rate below 80 percent. However, the new approach has increased post-surgical survival rates to nearly 100 percent after being implemented by trainees at the new center.

The NLAC is considering applying to patent the bionic teaching aids. The education center also enhances animal welfare by employing an animal care system that incorporates anaesthetization, monitoring, and breeding systems. Chin expressed hope that the center will, in the future, provide preclinical testing for universities and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.