Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the invited speakers, chairpersons, the laboratory animal scientists, managers, technicians and caretakers working with animals that submitted abstracts to the IV SPCAL Congress. The scientific success of this congress depends largely on their contribution.

We also want to express our appreciation to the School of Medicine and the Life and Health Science Research Institute (EM/ICVS) of the University of Minho, that contributed and supported from the beginning to the organization of this event with fully open doors. We are very grateful for their kind hospitality.

We must also acknowledge Braga Municipal Council for their support from the beginning of the organization of the event, helping us to organize the social events welcoming all participant to the city of Braga.

We are grateful for the generous support of our corporate partners that sponsored and/or are present in the exhibition area.

We also wish to thank:

- All SPCAL members the trust deposited in the Organizing Committee.

- All the Scientists involved in the Scientific committee, for their contributions to the program.

- The staff of the Planning Unit of the EM /ICVS, namely Madalena Branco and Daniel Monteiro, for their contribution, helping us beyond their obligations.

- The Honour Committee for welcoming this event and the public announcement of the Transparency Agreement in Portugal.