Workshop on Colony Management and BiomethodsUpcoming Event

Mouse Colony Management: Principles, Practices & Biomethods

Location: Hybrid - The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor ME, & Virtual

Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned researcher looking to stay current with the latest trends, this workshop offers an in-depth exploration of best practices in laboratory mouse colony management, blending theory with practical insights to help you achieve the highest standards of rigor and reproducibility in your research.

In-Person Capacity: 35 | Virtual Option Available

Registration is Open

Aug 18 - 22

2025

About

This workshop is designed for anyone responsible for the management of mouse colonies in research settings. You will gain a thorough understanding of the principles and practices essential for maintaining healthy and genetically sound colonies.

Topics Covered:

Mouse genetics and strain nomenclature
Colony set-up and breeding strategies
Managing mouse health, including immune-compromised mice
Genetic quality control
Genetic background effects on phenotype
Experimental design for rigor and reproducibility
How to minimize genetic variables including drift
Cryopreservation and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) as colony management tools
Nutritional aspects of maintaining animal health
Colony management record keeping considerations
Hands-on biomethods (in-person only)

Scholarships are available for both in-person and virtual participation in this workshop.

In-Person Experience

Participate in didactic sessions and optional hands-on biomethods training at our Bar Harbor, Maine location. This format provides an interactive learning environment, ideal for those seeking to refine their practical colony management knowledge and hands-on skills.

Hands-on biomethods covered include: Mouse handling, restraint, oral gavage, injections (IP, subcutaneous and tail vein), blood collection (submandibular, tail tip and cardiac puncture), primary and secondary euthanasia, and perfusion.

Completion of the workshop may be used towards continuing education units for AALAS and Academy of Surgical Research (ASR) re-certification.

Virtual Access

Can’t attend in person? Our virtual format ensures you won’t miss out. Access live-streamed lectures, engage in Q&A sessions, and benefit from recorded content available for three months post-course. Though virtual participants will not have access to hands-on workshops or biomethods training, the rich online experience ensures you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in laboratory mouse colony management.

The virtual audience will not have access to the hands-on biomethods training sessions on August 18 and 22.

View the 2025 virtual schedule here.

Accommodation Information

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Erin McDevitt at 207-288-6659 or erin.mcdevitt@jax.org.

Schedule

Download full Schedule

People

Leanne Miceli, A.S., RALAT

Technical Training Specialist | She/Her

The Jackson Laboratory

Registration

Standard Registration

Standard registration fee: $1000 (includes optional hands-on Biomethods session) Optional on-campus housing: $450 total

Register Now

Scholarship Application

Apply Now

Scholarships are available for this course, and are made possible by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NIH Grants, foundation awards and gifts or donations to The Jackson Laboratory. The Jackson Laboratory strongly encourages students, post-doctoral fellows, or junior faculty from populations under-represented in the biomedical sciences to register, with a preference for those currently enrolled in or working at a U.S. institution. Underrepresented populations are defined by the National Institutes of Health, see NIH NOT-OD-20-031 for definitions.

Course/Workshop registration fees include all workshop materials, supplies, and most meals. Optional shared lodging is available at the Highseas Conference Center for an additional fee.

Payments:

Payments will not be charged until your scholarship application has been reviewed. If you supply a credit card at the time of registration, a pre-authorization may be placed on the card.

Virtual

Standard Registration $350.00 Scholarship Registration $75.00

Register Now

Virtual registration includes live access to all didactic lectures, and access to lecture recordings for 3 months after the conclusion of the event. Due to speaker permissions, some lectures may not be recorded.

If you are registering for the Scholarship registration please select that option under the "registration type" question at the beginning of the regsitration.

Payments:
Payment is due at the time of registration via credit card. If you are unable to pay via credit card, please contact the event planner before registering for instructions.

Receipts:
Receipts will be provided automatically when payment is received via email through the registration system.

Payments and Cancellations

Payments:
Registration is only confirmed once full payment has been received. Payment in full is due 45 days before the start of the course for in-person attendance or due at the time of registration for virtual events. You can pay using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express during registration or select Check Payment. If paying by academic or personal check, payment is due immediately upon acceptance into the workshop. Checks should be made payable to The Jackson Laboratory and mailed to Bank of America, 90260 Collection Center Dr, Chicago, IL 60693. Be sure to include your name and the event title on any checks. Wire transfers will be accepted only with prior authorization; contact the event planner for further instructions. All bank charges associated with payment are the responsibility of the course participant.

Receipts:
Receipts will be provided automatically when payment is received via email through the registration system.

Cancellations and Refunds:

To receive a refund on registration, written cancelation (email) must be received 30 calendar days prior to the start date of the course. Refunds will be subject to administrative fees as follows:

If canceled prior to 30 days from the course start date, you will be refunded your registration fee less 10% of fees paid as an administrative registration fee.
If canceled 14-29 days prior to the course start date, you will be refunded 50% of your registration fees.
If canceled less than 14 days prior to the course start date, no refund is available.

On-Campus

Lodging accommodations at JAX’s Highseas Conference Center is available for an additional fee. Highseas, located approximately 1 mile from The Jackson Laboratory, is a spacious estate built in 1912, overlooking the entrance to Frenchman Bay and adjacent to beautiful Acadia National Park.We will be providing transportation from the Highseas Conference Center to the course venue for the duration of the course. Highseas is handicap accessible (please indicate accessibility needs in registration). This lodging option cannot accommodate families.

Off-Campus

Participants interested in securing off-campus lodging may refer to the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce website for a guide on hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and short-term rentals in the Bar Harbor area.

Meals will be provided by JAX’s campus dining services throughout the event. Participants staying off-campus may still partake in meals at Highseas. Please refer to the event schedule for more information.

Participants must adhere to Maine State travel, health and safety guidelines at the time of the event and use good judgement when arranging lodging. We recommend participants be familiar with their hotel’s cancellation policies prior to booking. The Jackson Laboratory is not responsible for lodging expenses or losses incurred due to the cancellation or rescheduling of an event.

Air
Bar Harbor is serviced by two airports:

Hancock County/Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) – 20 minutes away
Bangor International Airport (BGR) – 1hr 15 minutes away

Public transportation is not available from local airports. Please visit the Bar Harbor and Bangor airport services webpages for information on shuttles to and from Mount Desert Island. Rideshare options like Uber or Lyft are not commonly available.

Ground
Bar Harbor is approximately 5 hours by car from the greater Boston area. Rental cars are available from Hertz at either nearby airport. Additionally, there is a free Island Explorer bus system which can be used around the island and the national park.

Additional Area Information:
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Acadia National Park

Event Contact

Lexi Hennigan, B.S.

Supporters

Howard Hughes Medical Institute