Above all, we are responsible to the animals that need our protection and veterinary expertise, as well as to the scientific community, our partners, and the veterinarians who rely on our services.

Fulfilling these responsibilities requires us to maintain a consistently high standard of quality. In doing so, we adhere to the 3R principle: The goal is to completely avoid animal testing whenever possible (Replacement) and to limit the number of laboratory animals (Reduction) and their distress (Refinement) to the absolute minimum.

We also bear responsibility for our employees. They deserve a work environment in which individual strengths are fostered and valued. It is important to us that we have highly capable employees who act in accordance with animal welfare principles and ethical standards.

We also feel a commitment to the society in which we live and work, as well as to all patients who will benefit from these findings in the future.

Director: Dr. Pia Rademann Ralha Lamy, DVM (Veterinarian)
pia.rademann-ralha-lamy@uk-koeln.de

Office:
Tel: +49 221 478-40931

The Experimental Medicine Team:

• Katharina Imhäuser (Veterinarian): katharina.imhaeuser@uk-koeln.de
• Tülay Kutun (Assistant): tuelay.kutun@uk-koeln.de
• Manuela Lerwe (Chemical Laboratory Technician): manuela.lerwe@uk-koeln.de
• Anika Lorenz (Veterinary Assistant): anika.lorenz@uk-koeln.de
• Dr. med. vet. Birgitta Mewes (Veterinarian): birgitta.mewes@uk-koeln.de
• Sascha Moskopp (Biology Lab Technician): sascha.moskopp@uk-koeln.de
• Nadin Piekarek (BTA, Training Supervisor for Biology Laboratory Technicians): nadin.piekarek@uk-koeln.de
• Dr. rer. nat. Claudia Schubert-Quecke (Biologist): claudia.schubert-quecke@uk-koeln.de
• Dr. rer. medic. Alexandra Simon (Veterinarian): alexandra.simon@uk-koeln.de
• Katrin Wiesmann (Veterinary Assistant): katrin.wiesmann@uk-koeln.de

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

The Experimental Medicine team supports and assists various research groups in conducting animal studies using large animals. We serve as your point of contact from the initial concept through the planning and execution of the studies to scientific publication. In addition to procuring the animals, the Experimental Medicine team also handles anesthesia and veterinary care for the animals throughout the entire project duration. For this purpose, we have modern large animal housing facilities that allow for bedding with straw and/or underfloor heating, as well as a fully equipped surgical suite.

During procedures, it is possible to perform examinations using ultrasound or endoscopy. The use of electrosurgery, invasive measurement of blood pressure and blood flow, as well as the analysis of blood parameters (BGA, ACT) are part of our standard equipment. Furthermore, we offer telemetric monitoring of various vital parameters such as blood pressure, ECG, and temperature in conscious animals. In addition, a wide range of imaging modalities (MRI, CT, angiography) is available, as is the opportunity to establish new large animal models.

Would you like to implement your research project using a large animal model? Please feel free to contact us, and we will work together to develop a plan for its implementation. Or bring your pre-planned study to us, and we will assist you in preparing the animal research application.

For more detailed information about the scope and facilities of Experimental Medicine, please feel free to contact us.

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The Department of Experimental Medicine houses a histology core unit that performs standard procedures—such as specimen preparation, fixation, embedding, and sectioning—as well as specialized immunohistochemical staining. The Core Unit provides support for study design, sample collection, and subsequent sample processing. Sample documentation, including microscopic imaging, can also be performed within the Department of Experimental Medicine. For the pathological evaluation of specimens, we are happy to facilitate collaborations with specialized pathologists. We also work together to find solutions for unusual research questions.

Competence in Conducting Animal Experiments

The legal requirement for conducting an animal experiment is competence in conducting animal experiments (in accordance with the Animal Experimentation Ordinance (TierSchVersV), Annex 1, Section 3; formerly the FELASA B criteria). This expertise can be acquired by participating in a laboratory animal science course in accordance with the guidelines of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA). The University of Cologne offers this course for mice and rats; further information on this course can be found on the website of the University of Cologne’s Animal Welfare Officer: tierschutzbeauftragte.uni-koeln.de

Conducting experiments on other animal species requires the appropriate expertise (see above) for the respective species. Corresponding courses are also available for large animals. Please feel free to contact us if needed.

ATF Continuing Education

Through the Office of the Animal Welfare Officer at the University of Cologne, the laboratory animal science seminar for veterinarians and interested scientists is offered as part of the continuing education program to become a specialist in laboratory animal science and is recognized by the Academy for Veterinary Continuing Education (ATF).

Biology Laboratory Technician Training

Interested in training as a biology laboratory technician at the University Hospital?
You can find all information about the training program here.

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