Introduction The Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) is a main research institute and research division of the Department of Veterinary

Services, Ministry of Agriculture. It is Located at No 59, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, about 2km from Ipoh (south) exit of the North South Expressway. The VRI is purposed to conduct research regarding animal health and diseases of economic and zoonotic importance and serves as the national disease reference center. The VRI was established in the year of 1948 and it spearheads the research and development of novel vaccines, test kits and for veterinary use using local isolates. The vaccines are tested and proven for safety, efficacy and potency following USDA standards. VRI aspires to lead in animal vaccine research with plans of producing fourth generation DNA-based (recombinant) vaccines along with their companion diagnostics tests for the future. VISION The research Institute intends to become well-integrated with the animal industry, providing research support to livestock production in the maintenance of health, based on good agriculture practices, advocates human treatment of animals and environmentally-friendly approach to utilization of resources. MISSION The VRI are committed to support the growth of the animal industry by providing excellent services in diagnosis, control and prevention of animal diseases through providing quality disease confirmation, advisory and monitoring services performed by skilled individuals with high level of expertise using up-to-date facilities.

The VRI comprised of certain units that specializes in various departments. The units available in The Veterinary Research Institute are as follows; 1. Bacteriology Unit 2. Biochemistry Unit 3. Epidemiology Unit 4. Immunology Unit Immunoassay, Monoclonal & Serology
5. Parasitology Unit

6. Pathology Unit 7. Vaccine Unit Viral & Bacterial 8. Virology Unit Avian & Mammalian Besides the above mentioned units, The VRI also has Research and development whereby he research and development of animal health is the major concern of VRI. They emphasis on the disease in livestock of economic and zoonotic. Enhancement of technical capacity has taken new dimension in R&D in VRI, in line with new challenges and opportunities faced in new millennium. COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS Besides Research and Development, VRI also produces vaccines and diagnostics kits for example; 1. Bacterial Vaccine for Cattle/Buffaloes/Sheep Goats 2. Bacterial Vaccines for poultry
3. ELISA kit- Brucella /A and CLA ELISA kit

4. Diagnostic Test Antigens

FACILITIES The VRI provides certain facilities such as Donor and Experimental Animal Facilities, Mobile Lab and Mobile Clinics, Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory (BSL 3/ BSCL 3), Animal house, Library and other basic facilities.

Objectives

This field trip was conducted on 7th July 2011 at Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Ipoh
organized by Dr. Say Yee How, the lecturer for the subject Virology for the students of University Tunku Abdul Rahman, year 3 semester 1, Biomedical Sciences Department. The students were given a great exposure to certain units and

departments of The Veterinary Research Institute which includes the;

1. Microscope Preparation room 2. Mammalian Virology unit 3. Biosafety level 2 and Biosafety level 3 Laboratory 4. Bacteriology unit under avian bacteriology.

Purpose of the trip: 1. To enable students to expand their learning beyond the walls of lecture halls into the reality of research world. 2. To increase students knowledge and understanding of the subject and how lab procedures are carried out. 3. To give exposure on how the research on animals are conducted 4. To enable the students to experience the facilities that is not provided in campus.

Observations
1. Microscope Preparation Room :

Figure 1: the 1ST Electron microscope under the SEM 2. Mammalian Virology Lab

Figure 2: Image of virus viewed

Figure 3 : The Mammalian Virology Lab the

Figure 4: The fume chamber used in Mammalian Unit

3. Molecular Lab

Figure 5: Laboratory protocols found in the Molecular Labs 4. Biosafety Level 3 Lab

Figure 6: Biosafety Level 3 lab. 5. Avian Virology Lab

Discussion

References