CONSTRUCTION OF RESEARCH ANIMAL FACILITY

描述（由申请人提供）：资金被要求在MPRC，马里兰州医学院精神病学系的研究部门，装修一个新建的动物设施。 MPRC是一个国际知名的精神分裂症研究中心，建于1968年，位于马里兰州卡顿斯维尔的斯普林格罗夫州立精神病医院。 MPRC旨在了解精神分裂症的神经生物学基础，并为患者提供最新的治疗选择，目前拥有20多名高度互动的美国国立卫生研究院（NIH）资助的临床前和临床研究人员以及180名支持人员。 实验室的科学家们在MPRC的四楼使用一个不令人满意的动物设施。 7，291平方米。英尺一个最先进的动物饲养场将在MPRC主楼附近的一个新增加的空间内使用，并将取代陈旧和严重不足的动物宿舍。 新设施预计于2003年2月完工，对于履行目前的申请义务是必不可少的，并将使MPRC的科学家在今后申请联邦和非联邦支持时保持其竞争优势。 特别是，动物园将为MPRC研究人员提供一个机会，以适应和使用基因操纵的动物，从而参与精神病遗传学的革命。 在MPRC实验室附近提供这些动物对于在机构内外成功继续进行转化研究至关重要。 因此，拟议的项目将由马里兰州的捐款共同资助，被认为有助于维持MPRC在精神分裂症研究中的地位。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Funds are requested to fit-out a newly constructed animal facility at the MPRC, the research arm of the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. An internationally renowned center for schizophrenia research, the MPRC was built in 1968 on the grounds of the Spring Grove State Psychiatric Hospital in Catonsville, Maryland. Designed to understand the neurobiological basis of schizophrenia and to provide patients with the newest possible treatment options, the MPRC is currently home to more than 20 highly interactive, National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded pre-clinical and clinical investigators, and 180 support personnel. Laboratory-based scientists use an unsatisfactory animal facility on the fourth floor of the MPRC. The proposed 7,291 sq. ft. state-of-the-art vivarium will occupy space in a new addition adjacent to the MPRC main building and will replace the antiquated and grossly inadequate animal quarters. The new facility, projected for completion in February 2003, will be indispensable for fulfilling current application obligations and will allow MPRC scientists to maintain their competitive edge in future applications for federal and nonfederal support. In particular, the vivarium will create an opportunity for MPRC investigators to accommodate and use genetically manipulated animals, and, thus, to partake in the revolution in psychiatric genetics. Availability of such animals in close proximity to the MPRC laboratories is critically important for the successful continuation of translational research within the Institution and beyond. The proposed project, which will be co-financed by contributions from the State of Maryland, therefore, considered instrumental for sustaining the stature of the MPRC in schizophrenia research.