Educating the next generation of in-vivo scientists: The undergraduate in-vivo training initiative

David Lewis1, Alisdair Pickles1, Sarah Ash1, Jessica Strangward2. 1University of Leeds, Leeds, UK, 2British Pharmacological Society, London, UK

The 2007 ABPI and Bioscience Federation report “In-vivo sciences in the 21st Century”1 highlighted the shortage of individuals within the UK with knowledge, skills and expertise to undertake in-vivo physiological and pharmacological studies. Increases in student numbers, coupled with decreases in staff and financial resource have resulted in very few students being provided with an education and practical experience of in-vivo sciences during their undergraduate studies2, yet in-vivo studies remain an essential component of modern biomedical research. In order to redress this loss of in-vivo education from undergraduate degree programmes, the British Pharmacological Society, in partnership with Industry, introduced its “In-vivo Teaching Initiative” 12 years ago. The aim, to provide a select cohort of students who wish to go into careers in scientific research, either in Industry or academia, with a brief education and hands-on practical experiences of in-vivo studies, such that they would have knowledge and understanding of in-vivo techniques and preparations, and therefore be better able to make more informed career choices. In the 2012-13 academic year, the initiative supported undergraduate in-vivo sciences modules at 7 Universities, collectively providing an education in in-vivo sciences of 123 students. Course content varies between providers but typically covers animal welfare, ethics, data handling and interpretation, the use of in-vivo techniques in different areas of research and a minimum of 5 “hands-on” practical experiences. At 5 Institutions, students complete HO modular training and obtain personal licences. At the remaining 2 Institutions, students are given a shorter, non-accredited version of HO modules 1-3 and undertake experiments via delegated authority and the use of cadavers/ex-vivo preparations. Destination data obtained from the 2011-12 cohort on graduation showed that 8 out of 10 graduates went into careers in research or other science-related careers in Industry or academia (50 PhD, 9 MSc/MRes, 14 Research, 3 other employment with Pharmaceutical Industry) suggesting that that the initiative is achieving its aims. It also provides excellent value for money. Over the last 5 years, the fund has been supported by the major pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK and by the Integrative Pharmacology Fund. There are no other streams of support available for this type of activity and it is very unlikely that Universities could offer these courses without the funding initiative. The authors gratefully acknowledge these sponsors and would welcome enquires from other potential sponsors

1. APBI & Biosciences Federation http://www.abpi.org.uk/our-work/library/industry/Pages/in-vivo-report.aspx, 2007

2. British Pharmacological Society &Physiological Society Trends Pharmacol Sci 27: 130, 2006