The one-day pre conference workshop on Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Facilities, Quality Control and Quality Assurance Criteria on 1 st October 2009 and The International Conference on Laboratory Animal Science: Applications in Biomedical Research on 2 nd and 3 rd October 2009 were jointly organized by the National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health and the Laboratory Animal Scientists’ Association (LASA) of India at Saraswati Sabhagruh, Dinesh Mody Numismatic Museum, University of Mumbai Campus, Kalina, Mumbai.

The One Day Pre-Conference Workshop was well attended. Seventy delegates registered for the Workshop. A total number of 13 lectures on various aspects were delivered by eminent authorities in the field of laboratory animal science.

The objective of the international conference was to provide a forum for deliberations on use and development of laboratory animals in biomedical research. The conference addressed issues such as advances in laboratory animal husbandry and management practices, disease diagnosis and treatment, laboratory animal ethics, alternatives and regulatory guidelines. Advent of new technologies to generate genetically engineered laboratory animals, new advances in genetic and health monitoring, new drug discovery and translational research using laboratory animals were also covered as part of the conference lectures.

A total number of 265 delegates participated in the two-day Conference. 10 scientific sessions, 2 plenary lectures, 1 session for short communication were organized followed by a Poster session with 45 posters presented by young investigators.

A cultural programme of dances from different regions of India was presented by students of the University of Mumbai on Friday, October 2, 2009 .