About ESAL

The Experimental Surgery and Animal (ESAL) Laboratory was established in 1987 at the College of Medicine, King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to provide experimental animals and logistics support for the researchers of the institution. 

In 2015, a collaborative initiative was launched with the Prince Naif bin AbdulAziz Health Research Center for the laboratory to be one of the core research facilities dedicated to surgical training & animal experimental research, laboratory animal care and housing, veterinary support and research personnel training for the King Saud University Medical City. Through this initiative, the Center has achieved a significant level of development and improvement.

 

Vision

To be the best facility in the field of Experimental Surgery and Animal Research in the Kingdom and well-recognized Center worldwide.

 

Mission

To support all staff, research teams and students who are interested in the field of Animal Experimental Surgery and Research and to facilitate teaching and training activities to the medical community and support high-quality researches to ensure a safe and proper environment for researchers and laboratory animals during experimental studies and training workshops.

 

Objectives

1. To improve administrative, scientific and logistic support to the researchers in the KSU Medical City and the Faculty of Medicine and those interested in experimental animal research.
2. To improve animal housing space for a consolidated animal care program for laboratory animals within the KSU Medical City.
3. To enrich the facility equipped with tools, materials, and equipment to help achieve the success of the training programs and workshops.
4. To promote the culture of scientific animal research locally.

 

Experimental Surgery and Animal (ESAL) Laboratory Services

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1.  An experimental operating suite which is equipped with the necessary materials and equipment to carry out most types of scientific research involving animal surgery.
2. An isolation room for animals with a suction system that maintains proper temperature and humidity levels.
3. A reverse-isolation room for animals with immune deficiency that requires sterilization periodically.
4. Laboratory animal rooms that offer independent ventilation cages that are in compliance with the international standards and regulations for breeding environment and laboratory room of mice and rats.
5. A ten-bed operations theatre with medical devices a large area suitable for workshops in various subjects and that accommodate a large number of members based on the workshop.
6. An integrated administrative and technical staff to help the researcher in conducting workshops.
7. Some support facilities include a small animal imaging core and biohazard housing at ABSL2 levels.

 

Work with Us

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Laboratory Core Facilities and Sections

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Facility Floor Plan (College of Medicine)

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Animal Species and Model

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The number and species of animals used depend on the different lines of research to be carried out.

 

 

FUTURE PROSPECTS

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• Establishment of NUDE mice colony/population and developing new transgenic techniques

• Establishment of a mouse in disease model for researchers to use

• Expansion of the Experimental Surgery and Animal Laboratory Center; and the establishment of second laboratory animal research center following expansion of the Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Health Research Center

 

ESAL Team and Organization

 

From Left: Dr. Abdullah Almubarak, Dr. Yasser Alshawakir, Mr. Majed Alkhiberi, Engr. Mohammed Alahmed, Mr. Hussain Almukhayzim, Dr. Hisam Aloudah, Dr. Mohammed Almuayrifi, Mr. Mohammed Alabany and Dr. Saleh Alharby

 

The Experimental Surgery and Animal Laboratory members include:

• Laboratory Director
• Supervisor
• Internationally-trained research assistants
• Veterinarians
• Experienced veterinary technicians
• Research aids