Biology of Aging graduate programs

[pulnimar]

I'll be graduating with a B.S. in Biology (math minor) next May, and am ultimately looking to do research in the science of aging (aka geroscience, biogerontology, longevity research).

I've checked out the Nathan Shock Centers in the Basic Biology of Aging (NSCs) as potential graduate schools.  The thing is I have a real, real problem with personal

Comments

[quarktothemax]

I wish you the best of luck. I too would/could never participate in animal experiments regardless of how the animals were treated. It fortunately doesn't come up so much in physics:o)

On the flip side, don't let your convictions keep you out of the bio field... the only way to make progress in this area is to have more scientists committed to doing research without animals and thinking about how to improve research methods.

[cheez_ball]

I'm at TAMU and we have a program where an animal tech will humanely euthanize animals for researchers who either can't do it or don't feel competent to do it well. All of our AUPs require (1) as minimal use of animals as possible, (2) as humane care as possible, (3) minimal discomfort to the animals and (4) as quick and painless euthanasia as possible. In my lab we have about an even split between people who never touch animals (genetics and biochem people) and people who use them on occasion (cell biology and vaccine development).

I can also personally vouch for the high level of humane care of the animals in the facility. We have a lab animal vet oversee everything.

There are faculty here who study aging, but that's so far out of my area I really don't know all that much about their work. I can tell you that the Health Science Center is a really nice environment for grad students.

[cheez_ball]

We have this available to us at our facility as well (for a small fee of course). However, our facilities will only do it if you don't need to collect any tissue samples.
I have been involved in research with animals at 2 universities and i've personally never have come across unethical practices. We usually leave music on for our rats to help drown out any noise from the hallway or people entering in/out of the room. I remember one of my rats used to jump up into my hand when I would stick my hand in her cage. We also accidentally got a pregnant rat (twice actually), and I hand reared those little rat babies. I spent every day handling them until they were adults.
So yes, in the end we have to put them down (always under CO2 first). But we treat them well while they're alive. Bad animal care= bad results. My PI says all the time that you never want to waste a life, so take care of the animal while its alive and take care of what little you have left once it is dead.