The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) at UCL is delighted to announce that we have received full accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International. 

This prestigious international accreditation confirms SWC’s dedication to responsible animal care and the humane treatment of animals in science. SWC is committed to minimising the use of animals in research whilst continuing to facilitate advances in science, research and medical knowledge. We are proud to have received full accreditation from AAALAC International for our outstanding standards of animal care and welfare.

Professor Tom Otis, Chief Scientific Officer at SWC said: “First and foremost, the achievement of AAALAC International accreditation is a testament to the professionalism and expertise of our talented Neurobiological Research Facility team at SWC. They were aided by our top-notch Building Operations team who help to maintain environmental standards in our facility. Kudos on such a well-deserved mark of recognition!”

Janet Watson, Chair of the SWC Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) commented: “This accreditation is a ringing endorsement of the culture of care we strive to encourage. I am proud that the commitment of SWC to the highest standards of animal care and responsible research has been recognised.” 

The AAALAC International Council on Accreditation commended the SWC staff for providing and maintaining a high quality programme of laboratory animal care and use. In particular, they noted the very engaged, collaborative and committed staff across all teams and committees supporting a culture of care; the strong commitment to driving initiatives forward to reduce, replace and refine the use of animals (known as the 3Rs); and the well-maintained, clean and organised facilities at SWC.

Eleni Amaniti, Head of Neurobiological Research Facility, SWC, said: “As an institute we are proud of our outstanding Neurobiological Research Facility, and to have an internationally recognised standard for animal care and use program in science. It shows our commitment to hold very high levels of accountability and provide assurance to the research community, funders as well as the public. Being among a small number of accredited academic facilities in the UK is a great achievement and a testament of the hard work of our staff across all sections of the SWC.” 

About AAALAC International
AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organisation that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through a voluntary accreditation program, a Program Status Evaluation service, and educational programs. More than 980 animal care and use programs in 44 countries have earned AAALAC International accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. These programs include academic institutions, commercial organisations, hospitals and government agencies. AAALAC International has been working to promote animal well-being and enhance life sciences research and education since 1965. For further information, please visit: https://www.aaalac.org/

About the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre
The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) brings together world-leading neuroscientists to generate theories about how neural circuits in the brain give rise to the fundamental processes underpinning behaviour, including perception, memory, expectation, decisions, cognition, volition and action. Funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Wellcome, SWC is located within UCL and is closely associated with the Faculties of Life Sciences and Brain Sciences. 

Media contact:
For more information or to speak to the people involved, please contact:

April Cashin-Garbutt
Head of Research Communications and Engagement
E: a.cashin-garbutt@ucl.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)20 3108 8028