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Monkeys important for HIV research
The Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control (SMI) in Stockholm is the only institution in the Nordic countries to use monkeys as laboratory animals. Therefore, many research groups, particularly those working with HIV, want to place their projects here.
“Research involving monkeys is particularly sensitive from an ethical perspective. They are similar in ways to humans, but that´s why we use them in research," says Mats Spångberg, a laboratory veterinarian at SMI.
Barbed wire, fences, and locked doors are the first things that visitors notice at SMI. It is from here that the infectious disease situation in Sweden is monitored.
The Rhesus monkey and Crab-eating Macaque are the types of monkeys kept at SMI. All have been raised in captivity, and most are used in research to develop a vaccine against HIV. They live in cages, but all have access to daylight. The uninfected monkeys have the opportunity to spend time in an enclosed outdoor area. SMI also employs an ethologist, an expert on animal behaviour, to ensure that the monkeys´ needs to express natural behaviour are addressed.
“I see house pets that suffer much more than our laboratory animals. Here we have full control, we know how we use the animals, why we use them, and we have a good staff to care for them. Therefore, I have no problems in working with animal research," says Mats Spångberg.
As a veterinarian at SMI, Mats Spångberg is ultimately responsible for the health of laboratory animals. He ensures that health exams are conducted as needed and works extensively with preventive care.
In collaboration with the researchers he helps design research models and helps with the applications for ethical review. He is also in daily contact with the animal handlers.
“Those who care for the animals are my extended arm. They report if any of the animals act strangely or show any symptoms of disease."
Mats Spångberg has always been interested in animals, which is why he became a veterinarian. His initial goal was to work as a traditional veterinarian, but his education sparked an interest in research.
He began with research on thyroid disease in dogs. Later he became a veterinarian for laboratory animals at a pharmaceutical company. Mats Spångberg has been a veterinarian at SMI since 2001, and enjoys his work.
“It´s a varied job. I work closely with researchers and animal handlers in the studies. But I also have external contact with politicians, government agencies, the media, and the public. No day is like the next," he says.
Barbed wire, fences, and locked doors are the first things that visitors notice at SMI. It is from here that the infectious disease situation in Sweden is monitored.
“The reason for the rigorous security is that we work with very contagious diseases that could cause enormous damage should they spread outside the facility," says Mats Spångberg.
SMI also conducts extensive research that requires laboratory animals. Although mice, rats, and rabbits are used in research, it is the use of monkeys that sets SMI apart.
“When it comes to HIV, no other animals are sensitive to this virus. If we are to get anywhere in HIV research we must work with monkeys. Their immune defence is similar to ours," says Mats Spångberg.
Raised in captivity
The Rhesus monkey and Crab-eating Macaque are the types of monkeys kept at SMI. All have been raised in captivity, and most are used in research to develop a vaccine against HIV. They live in cages, but all have access to daylight. The uninfected monkeys have the opportunity to spend time in an enclosed outdoor area. SMI also employs an ethologist, an expert on animal behaviour, to ensure that the monkeys´ needs to express natural behaviour are addressed.
“I see house pets that suffer much more than our laboratory animals. Here we have full control, we know how we use the animals, why we use them, and we have a good staff to care for them. Therefore, I have no problems in working with animal research," says Mats Spångberg.
Close contact with animal handlers
As a veterinarian at SMI, Mats Spångberg is ultimately responsible for the health of laboratory animals. He ensures that health exams are conducted as needed and works extensively with preventive care.
In collaboration with the researchers he helps design research models and helps with the applications for ethical review. He is also in daily contact with the animal handlers.
“Those who care for the animals are my extended arm. They report if any of the animals act strangely or show any symptoms of disease."
Varied job
Mats Spångberg has always been interested in animals, which is why he became a veterinarian. His initial goal was to work as a traditional veterinarian, but his education sparked an interest in research.
He began with research on thyroid disease in dogs. Later he became a veterinarian for laboratory animals at a pharmaceutical company. Mats Spångberg has been a veterinarian at SMI since 2001, and enjoys his work.
“It´s a varied job. I work closely with researchers and animal handlers in the studies. But I also have external contact with politicians, government agencies, the media, and the public. No day is like the next," he says.
Text: Karl-Johan Börjesson
Responsible for content: Mats Ulfendahl, Secretary General of Medicine and health, Swedish Research Council.
Editor: Peter Tillhammar, Swedish Research Council. Contact: Send email to the editorial staff.
Editor: Peter Tillhammar, Swedish Research Council. Contact: Send email to the editorial staff.
