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University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

The unit offers the Basic Course in Laboratory Animal Science (EU Function A) twice annually. The course is conducted in English each February, while a German-language course is offered every September for up to 36 participants. The program provides the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for personnel involved in procedures on laboratory animals in accordance with European regulatory standards.

In addition, the unit organizes an annual training course in February focusing on large-animal species, including pigs, sheep, and cattle in German-language. Owing to the intensive hands-on training component, enrollment in this course is limited to a maximum of eight participants, thereby ensuring a high level of practical instruction and individual supervision.

Both courses are certified by the GV-SOLAS, underscoring their compliance with internationally recognized standards in laboratory animal science education and training.

In addition to its research and training activities, the unit provides a comprehensive portfolio of services through the VetBioModels platform. These services include the generation of genetically engineered mouse models, as well as cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer, and the rederivation of contaminated mouse lines.

Information about VetBiomodels

Mice share 98% of the genetic makeup found in other mammals. Since they reproduce rapidly and are inexpensive to keep, mice represent an important model for studying the biological functions of other mammals, including humans.

The service platform VetBiomodels has been successfully engaged in biomedical and biotechnology research since 2006. Our repertoire comprises methods for developing new genetically modified mouse models, as well as the archival, revitalization and rederivation of mouse strains for basic biomedical research. Through our work and the expertise of the VetBiomodels team, both the number of laboratory animals and the burden placed on them in the sense of the 3Rs are being significantly reduced (for more information, see, for example, www.nc3rs.org.uk/the-3rs).

Moreover, students and scientists are being trained and educated in the handling of animal models. For us, outreach activities such as continuing education of teachers, hosting school classes and other visitor groups in our laboratories as well as supervising student interns are an important aspect of communicating scientific topics to the public.

Services

  • Care and keeping of laboratory animals
  • Veterinary services (castration, vasectomy, immunization, sample collection, among others)
  • Transgenic technologies
    • Generation of transgenic mice via random and targeted DNA integration methods
  • Rederivation of contaminated mouse strains via embryo transfer
  • Rapid colony expansion through IVF
  • Worldwide import and export of live and cryopreserved laboratory mice
  • Cryopreservation technologies
    • Embryo cryopreservation
    • Sperm cryopreservation
    • Revitalization of embryos (also from other institutions)
  • Assisted reproductive technologies
    • In vitro fertilization
    • Laser-assisted in vitro fertilization for subfertile animals
    • Microsurgical or percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration
    • Ovarian transfer

Prices

Available upon request – please email biomodels@vetmeduni.ac.at

 

Courses

Basic course in Laboratory Animal Science

EU Function A: Carrying out Procedures on Animals (in English)

(comparable to former FELASA Cat. B)

February 8 - 17, 2027

The purpose of this course is to introduce those working in the field of animal research to safe, responsible handling and care of animals used in scientific experiments, while maintaining the highest of standards. It serves to train students and postgraduates who will be conducting animal experiments in their professional roles.

Target group

  • Animal caretakers and veterinary assistants (with completed training, graduates of animal caretaker schools), individuals with comparable completed training including medical laboratory scientists and biology laboratory technicians
  • Bachelor, Master and Magister degree students completing programs in medical and biological fields
  • Graduates from a medical or biological academic program

Course type:
Block course for students and professionals in the field -integrated format

The program consists of 40 course hours which includes 20 hours of theoretical training and 20 hours of practical training.

Participation in the full course is mandatory! If a class is missed, it has to be made up by the participant in the next available course. Please note that prior approval by our faculty is necessary; otherwise, certification will not be issued.

This course is certified by the GV-SOLAS according to FELASA 2015 recommendations.

Course fees:

  • Members of the Vetmeduni Vienna*: EUR 1 010.00 
  • Members of other Universities**: EUR 1 250.00  
  • Independent applicants from industry, business or other: EUR 1 710.00 

*) discount is applied when the course fee is billed to an institute or clinic of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna in the form of an internal service allocation.
**)in case of billing to a University other than the University of Veterinary Medicine;

In any case, the decision on the applicable price category is made on the basis of the recipient of the invoice (= billing address).

Conditions of registration:

This course is specifically designed for people who are actively involved in animal experiments or animal related fields.

Registration:

A fully completed online registration form is required for registration.

PLEASE NOTE: At this moment all groups are full - thus, registration for the upcoming course is closed now. Updated information on our next courses will be provided here on this page within the next weeks. After receiving your registration we will contact you by email as soon as your data is processed. Registration can only be accepted via our online registration form! 

Due to the high number of telephone calls we receive, we request your patience until we contact you personally with further details through email.

Course for Cryopreservation, Embryo Transfer and Assisted Reproduction in Mice (in English)

September or October 2027
University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Advanced training course for postgraduates and technicians working in the field of mouse reproduction and cryopreservation.

The aim of this course is to offer theoretical background information with practical training in the techniques required for successful assisted reproduction and cryopreservation in laboratory mice.

Prerequisite:

Academic or technical training in the field of biology, life sciences, medicine, veterinary medicine; Actual need to use the knowledge and skills taught in the course in the job.

Course content:

Theory lectures:

  • Mouse Anatomy and Reproductive Biology
  • Introduction to Embryo Transfer
  • Anesthesia & Analgesia
  • Introduction to Sperm Freezing
  • In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Freezing Methods
  • The European Mouse Mutant Archive
  • Worldwide shipping of live mice, cooled & frozen material

Hands-on practical training:

  • Sperm Collection and Cryopreservation
  • Oviduct Flushing
  • Embryo Handling
  • In vitro Fertilization
  • Controlled-rate freezing of 2-cell embryos
  • Vasectomy
  • Oviduct Transfer
  • Uterus Transfer
  • Demonstration: Percutaneous and microsurgical collection of spermatozoa from live mice; non-surgical embryo transfer 

Number of Participants:

The maximum number of participants  is limited to 8 persons. If less than 6 participants register, we will postpone the course until further notice. 

Workshop Fees:  

  • Academic or Non-Profit Institutions: Euro 1,500.00
  • Other Institutions: Euro 1,900.00

Accepted payment method: Prepayment or Credit card (VISA or Mastercard). Credit card details must be provided at a later point, upon invoicing. Please note: A seat in our course cannot be guaranteed until payment has been processed and confirmed.

The fees include the participation in the course and a get-together, but no other costs like travel expenses to and from the event, food or accommodation.

Registration:

Registration is now closed – please check back later for updates on our course program. 

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