Laboratory Animal Resource Unit
Laboratory Animal Resources Unit
Established in the 1940s as the Animal House Unit, the Laboratory Animal Resources Unit (LARU) serves as a key support arm for biomedical research under the SRC, Institute for Medical Research (IMR). It plays a vital role in managing animal studies across various research fields, including infectious diseases, immunology, cancer, and product development.
LARU is the only unit under the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducting laboratory animal breeding activities. It supplies research and training animal models such as mice, rats, hamsters, and rabbits to IMR, MOH institutions, and external collaborators. Revenue from animal sales supports wider MOH research initiatives.
As part of Malaysia’s core research infrastructure, LARU ensures a consistent and ethical supply of quality animal models. Common species bred include Sprague Dawley rats, ICR, CBA, Balb/c mice, hamsters, and New Zealand White rabbits.
Beyond breeding, LARU provides veterinary services, technical expertise, and hands-on training in animal care, handling, sampling, diagnostics, treatment, and necropsy. Led by qualified veterinary officers, these programmes promote animal welfare, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen research integrity through competent, ethically trained personnel.
Executive Summary
Head of Laboratory Animal Resource Unit
Dr. Norazlina Binti Md Noh
Diploma Executive of Naturopathic Medicine (DENM) (USM, Malaysia), Degree of Doctor Veterinary Medicine (DVM) (UPM, Malaysia)
Telephone: +603- 2261 2750
Email: azlina.mn@moh.gov.my
Human Resource Profile
Veterinary Officers
Support Staffs
Focus Area
Treatment & Management
Scope: Natural products, drugs discovery, repurposing drugs, preclinical, toxicology
Disease Diagnosis
Scope: Evaluation
Vaccine-Induced Protection
Scope: Humoral immune response