Modern Equipment for Shared-use Biomedical Research Facilities: Advancing Research-related Operations

PROJECT ABSTRACT: Modernization of SPF Rodent Housing in Shared-Use Animal Facility at Einstein The Albert Einstein College of Medicine Institute for Animal Studies (IAS) facilitates high-quality animal biomedical research and teaching while ensuring the most humane care possible. The IAS provides comprehensive support for the generation, housing, and analysis of various animal models relevant to public health, including animal models of human cancer and transgenic animals used in both basic and translational research. Animal models of human disease are often developed using immune-deficient animals, requiring careful biocontainment controls to protect their health to the fullest extent possible and reduce variability associated with unplanned infection. We propose to establish a specialized sub-facility within the shared-use specific pathogen–free (SPF) rodent housing facilities in the Chanin Building. This sub-facility will support basic and preclinical research involving highly immunodeficient mice conducted by researchers affiliated with several NIH-funded Centers, including the Einstein-Rockefeller-CUNY Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Institute for Aging Research (IAR), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC). Currently, barrier SPF mice housed in the Chanin Building are maintained in static, filter-top microisolator cages. The microenvironment of static cages is entirely dependent on the capacity of the HVAC system to provide fresh temperature- and humidity-conditioned air, the airflow dynamics within the room, and animal cage stocking density. The inability of the HVAC system to adequately manage heat and vapor loads can cause increased heat and humidity and the accumulation of potentially dangerous microenvironments within each cage. Currently, we compensate for these issues by increasing the frequency of cage changes. However, this extra husbandry activity is burdensome for both our animal care staff and the animals we care for, resulting in increased animal handling and a lack of stability in their microenvironments, which can introduce unnecessary stress and increase the risks of introducing infection. In addition, frequent cage changes by our staff can create difficulties for investigators who require frequent access to their animals. To support research conducted in immunocompromised, immunodeficient, and transgenic animals, we will replace the racks and static, filter-top cages in the sub-facility with new racks that support the use of individually ventilated cages, which will enhance the biosafety of the animal microenvironment by ensuring adequate flow of sterile air and reduce the frequency at which cages require changing. In addition, the proposed racks will increase the overall housing capacity of the facility. Increased capacity will be needed to support the increased interest in and usage of preclinical animal model development. In addition, our current recruitment initiatives will increase the number of investigators who require animal housing.