Tufts CMS Training Request Form

Training Request Form

Tufts CMS offers a number of courses, wet labs, and workshops that are designed to teach a variety of basic rodent techniques and to provide valuable information to investigative staff. All techniques are demonstrated under the supervision of experienced Tufts CMS staff, and you will have the opportunity for hands-on practice. These training sessions can also serve as a refresher course for those who need to practice techniques that they haven’t utilized recently.

To register you MUST be included on an approved IACUC protocol
To register you MUST have your Occupational Health Clearance
Registration is required as class size is limited
Closed-toed shoes must be worn for all trainings

Trainings can be scheduled for individuals or labs. You will be contacted within 5 days to schedule a training. Trainings are not offered every week, so please allow for up to a month before the training can be scheduled.

First Name*

Name of individual being trained

Last Name*

Name of individual being trained

Name of individual being trained *

We must receive your Tufts e-mail address if we are to enter your training record into the Tufts Learning Center Database. If you are external to Tufts or Tufts Medical Center but have an IACUC protocol at Tufts, you should have been issued a Tufts email.

Tufts University/Tufts Medical Center e-mail address

Preferred e-mail address*

Affiliation or name of company if other*

Tufts UniversityTufts MedicineOther

Principal Investigator (PI) Name*

Principal Investigator (PI) First Name*

PI Last Name*

IACUC Protocol Number*

PI's Department

Please check that you have read the cancellation and late attendance policy*

There is no charge for Tufts and Tufts Medicine investigators for trainings. There is a $74.53/hr charge for any training that is registered for and not attended. Latecomers will be billed in 15 minute increments, as late attendance holds up the start of the session. To cancel a training with no fee, email TuftsCMS-training@tufts.edu at least 3 hours prior to the scheduled training.

Please check that you have read the cancellation and late attendance policy*

There is a $134.15/hr charge for all trainings for external investigators. To cancel a training with no fee, email TuftsCMS-training@tufts.edu at least 3 hours prior to the scheduled training.

Billing account number*

Which campus are you requesting training on? (check all that apply)

BostonMedford/Somerville

Which training(s) are you requesting (check all that apply) (see training descriptions below)

Which facilties are you looking to be oriented to? (check all that apply)

Boston - Stearns/Arnold/South Cove (BRPH Complex)Boston - ZiskindMedford/Somerville - SEC (Science and Engineering Complex)

Which species are you requesting training in? (check all that apply)

MouseRatOther

So that we are able to better serve you, do you feel competent in rodent handling and restraint?

YesNoOther

Trainings Offered

We offer the following trainings, limited to 4 individuals at a time.

Tufts CMS Orientation Tour

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators a tour of the animal facility, including information on locations of necessary supplies and equipment, use of procedure rooms, security access, contacts for specific needs and issues, and proper attire and personal protective equipment requirements for animal rooms.

Rodents 101 Wet Lab - Handling, restraint, identification, and euthanasia

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators hands-on training in this introductory wet lab on rodent handling, restraint, identification, and euthanasia. Investigators are provided opportunities to perform these techniques under the trainer’s supervision.

Rodent 102 Wet Lab – Drug Administration (PO, IP, IV, SQ)

Intermediate-level workshop

Prerequisite: Given rodent restraint is paramount to successful drug administration, Rodents 101 Animal Handling and/or must be proficient in manual animal handling and restraint.

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators hands-on training in this intermediate-level wet lab on drug administration using the following common routes: intraperitoneal (IP), subcutaneous (SQ), intravenous (IV), and oral gavage (PO). Investigators are provided opportunities to perform these techniques under the trainer’s supervision.

Rodents 103 Wet Lab – Blood Collection (Tail vein, Submandibular/Facial Vein)

Intermediate-level workshop on common blood collection techniques (e.g., tail vein, facial vein).

Prerequisite: Given rodent restraint is paramount to successful blood draw, Rodents 101 Animal Handling and/or be proficient in manual animal handling and restraint.

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators hands-on training in this intermediate-level wet lab on blood collection from the following locations: tail vein puncture, tail snip, submandibular technique, and cardiac puncture. Investigators are provided opportunities to perform these techniques under the trainer’s supervision.

Rodents 201 Wet Lab – Surgery

Advanced-level workshop on surgical preparation, technique, and post-operative care

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators hands-on training in this advanced-level wet lab on performing surgeries on rodents. During this training, investigators will learn about the importance of aseptic technique; providing adequate care during pre-surgery, surgery, and post-surgery periods; and basic nursing care to post-surgical animals. Investigators are provided opportunities to perform surgeries on euthanized rodents. This training is strongly recommended for anyone who is or will be performing survival surgery on rodents.

Bench Top Anesthesia Workshop

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators hands on-training in this introductory wet lab on how to operate the isoflurane anesthesia machines in Tufts CMS animal facilities. Training on these machines is mandatory before using them in the facility.

Mouse Necropsy Workshop

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators hands on-training on performing a basic mouse necropsy, including appropriate tissue handling techniques, normal mouse anatomy, tissue collection procedures, and basic pathology documentation.

Histology Prep Workshop

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators hands-on training on the proper methods to prepare mouse and rat tissues when submitting them to the Animal Histology Core in Tufts CMS, including fixation, tissue trimming, decalcification, tissue orientation, and cassetting. During the training, trimming of tissues will be demonstrated. Investigators are provided opportunities to trim tissues under the trainer’s supervision. Participants are welcome to bring fixed tissues that they work with in their laboratory.

Rodent Breeding and Transnetyx Colony Software Use

The CMS Rodent Breeding Service (RBS) offers information or individualized trainings for breeding of mice and rats and the use of Transnetyx for genotyping and colony maintenance. For training, please contact TuftsCMS-rodent-breeding@elist.tufts.edu

Investigators will be informed about Tufts CMS’ Rodent Breeding Services, which is designed to aid investigators in the creation, propagation, and maintenance of rodent breeding colonies. Services may include, but are not limited to, mating, weaning, collection of samples for DNA analysis, and record keeping.

We can also provide basic training in the use of Transnetyx services for genotyping and colony maintenance or can connect you with Transnetyx for personalized training.

Zebrafish 101

Tufts CMS staff provides investigators hands-on training in this introductory wet lab on basic information for working with zebrafish at Tufts. This includes an orientation to the zebrafish facility, where to find the appropriate supplies, learning about the facility’s procedures and protocols, and contacts for specific needs or issues. Our Zebrafish Facility Coordinator will train you on how to properly remove or add tanks on and off the system, how to handle fish, how to move fish from one tank to another, and how to anesthetize and euthanize zebrafish. Investigators are provided the opportunity to perform these techniques under the trainer’s supervision.

Private Training Sessions

We offer several individualized trainings for specialized surgical and non-surgical techniques not covered in the group trainings. These trainings are offered for both rodent and non-rodent models. Tufts CMS staff will train you to perform protocol specific techniques. Fees are based on an hourly rate, but may also include additional charges for specialized supplies, animals, etc. not covered in our standard training cost.

By typing your name below and clicking submit, you are signing to affirm that the individual requesting training is approved to work with animals in research by the Tufts University/TMC IACUC.

Your Name*

First NameLast Name

Notes to our trainers:

When you have completed the form, hit the "Submit" button below. You will receive a notification of receipt of your form by email within a few minutes. If you do not, please contact tuftscms-training@tufts.edu to ensure that the submission was received.