Scientists have created a transparent fish that lets them see through its skin to watch the progression of disease in real time.  The fish, a breed Zebrafish named Casper, has granted researchers further insight into how diseases, especially cancer, act in living organisms, not just in a test tube or a dissected animal.

News for anyone who will be applying for certification or who is supervising others as they prepare to certify: AALAS has posted a new version (November 2005) of the Technician Certification Handbook and application form online (www.aalas.org).

National AALAS offers a training session during the national meeting to help branch members learn about our national organization.  Entitled Leadership Academy, it's free and very useful. Great networking and free food, too.   Read the article from Carolyn Campbell for more info and then contact her and Ellen Teneriello, our prez, to sign-up.  Don't be intimated if you are going to St. Louis.

AALAS has added 5 new courses to the AALAS Learning Library including: Biosafety in Microbiologic and Biomedical Laboratories; Introduction to Ergonomics in the Laboratory Animal Facility; Ergonomics for Animal Technicians: Working Smart; Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals; and Good Laboratory Practice Standards.

Only one week left until the June 15, 2005 deadline for nominating an Animal Technician from your District for the Lab Products Technician Travel Award.

The CMAR Committee needs to have new questions pretested by all CMAR-certified individuals for a new version of the Animal Resources Exam.