Choosing the right pain test in laboratory animal research isn’t just about the science. It’s about understanding your tools, your models, and even your own comfort level. In this episode of The LASt Word, we welcome Dr. James McNew, Clinical Veterinarian at Baylor College of Medicine, to share insights from his JAALAS paper ‘Comparison of Thermal and Mechanical Pain Testing Modalities in Sprague Dawley and Fischer 344 Rats (Rattus norvegicus)’. Join us as Jamie discusses his path into laboratory animal medicine, the collaborative journey behind the study, and surprising findings that challenge assumptions about genetic background and pain testing variability. You’ll also learn about the practical factors to consider when designing animal studies, why mentorship and collaboration matter, and how small research projects can lead to big contributions. Tune in for valuable advice for researchers looking to create better, more reproducible science!
Key Points From This Episode:
Why Jamie chose lab animal medicine as a career path. Early exposure to research through veterinary scholar programs. How a side project became a published study. The benefits of building a strong mentorship and research team. Comparing pain test consistency across genetic backgrounds. Practical setup and acclimation techniques for pain testing. Why randomization and handling techniques matter. Unexpected findings on genetic background and pain variability. Insight into the pros and cons of different pain tests. Advice for choosing the right model and pain test.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS) The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast