On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, seven LabTropBRC interns visited the Animal Testing Laboratory at IPB University’s Dramaga Campus following their visit to the Biopharmaca Conservation and Cultivation Unit (UKBB) earlier that day. Locally known as the Unit Kandang Hewan Percobaan (UKHP), the facility supports in vivo research and laboratory animal management. The visit gave the students firsthand experience of the facilities and activities that support biopharmaceutical research.
Advancing In Vivo Research at the Animal Testing Laboratory
UKHP is a specialized technical unit under the Tropical Biopharmaca Research Center (TropBRC), LRI-PGKH IPB University. LRI-PGK IPB University inaugurated the facility in November 2024 to support multidisciplinary biopharmaceutical research, including in vivo testing and research related to biopharmaceutical product development. UKHP provides services for the breeding, supply, and care of laboratory animals, mainly rats and mice. These services support academics, researchers, industry partners, the private sector, and other research users.
The facility also places importance on animal welfare and ethical research practices. Proper laboratory animal management supports the responsible conduct of in vivo studies. These practices guide daily activities at UKHP and form an important part of laboratory animal care.
During the educational tour, veterinarian Leliana Nugrahaning Widi, DVM, welcomed the group together with the UKHP staff. The interns then joined a guided tour of the facility. They observed the laboratory facilities and learned about daily animal care activities. The staff also explained how they manage laboratory animals, including their breeding, supply, and care. The tour introduced the students to the role of animal welfare and ethical guidelines in laboratory work.
The visit gave the LabTropBRC interns practical insight into laboratory animal management and in vivo research support. It also helped them connect their academic knowledge with activities at one of TropBRC’s technical units. As part of the internship program, the visit broadened their understanding of the facilities and practices that support biopharmaceutical research at TropBRC.
✍️ Author & Editor: Tiest
📸 Documentation: UKHP Team