National Laboratory Animal Center Explained

National Laboratory Animal Center
Established:1994
Owner:Ministry of Science and Technology
City:Taipei
Country:Taiwan
Coor:25.0461°N 121.6094°W

The National Laboratory Animal Center (NLAC) is a research institute in Taiwan which is part of the National Applied Research Laboratories.

History

The National Laboratory Animal Center was established in 1994 as the first large scale domestic supplier of specific pathogen free (SPF) laboratory rodents. In June 2003 it was brought under the umbrella of the National Applied Research Laboratories.[1] NLAC supports Taiwan's biomedical industry.[2]

In 2015 NLAC succeeded in breeding their first advanced severe immuno deficiency (ASID) mouse which they established a commercial line off of. The mice cost NT$3,000 to produce which was a significant savings over imported mice from the US and Japan which cost between NT$15,000 and NT$30,000.[3]

Facilities

In 2019 NLAC inaugurated a new NT$2 billion (US$64.64 million) research center built in Taipei's National Biotechnology Research Park.[4] As well as being a research center the new facility also serves as a repository for the fertilized eggs of rare mice. As of 2019 the repository held 830,000 fertilized eggs.[5]

NLAC operates a preclinical testing lab at the Hsinchu Biomedical Science Park and a preclinical animal care and surgery facility at the Southern Taiwan Science Park.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About . www.nlac.org.tw . NLAC . 27 March 2020.
  2. Web site: Ferry . Timothy . Will Biotech be the Next Trillion NT Dollar Industry? . topics.amcham.com.tw . 25 September 2019 . American Chamber of Commerce . 27 March 2020.
  3. Web site: Wei-han . Chen . NARL breeds immunodeficient mouse . www.taipeitimes.com . 12 November 2015 . Taipei Times . 27 March 2020.
  4. Web site: Tzu-ti . Huang . State-of-the-art animal laboratory opens in Taipei . www.taiwannews.com.tw . 18 January 2019 . Taiwan News . 27 March 2020.
  5. Web site: and Chung Yu-chen . Liu Lee-jung . NARLabs launches National Laboratory Animal Center . focustaiwan.tw . 17 January 2019 . Focus Taiwan . 27 March 2020.
  6. Web site: Chia-nan . Lin . Animal imaging system could help humans . www.taipeitimes.com . 25 March 2020 . Taipei Times . 27 March 2020.