Research Animal Support

研究动物支持设施（RASF）自最初的CCSG成立以来一直是共享资源。 该奖项于1975年颁发，旨在支持正在进行的临床和基础癌症研究， 动物在MDACC RASF在休斯顿的MDACC（2个校区）和 史密斯维尔的致癌部门。所有的动物设施都得到了协会的认可， 国际实验动物护理组织的评估和认证，有动物福利保证 批准（A3343-01），并在美国农业部注册为研究动物机构。 农业（美国农业部）（74-R-065）。休斯顿研究动物支持机构（RASFH）由 佩吉·T.丁奇DVM RASFH占地约99，089平方米。英尺空间，并提供 用于癌症的动物的住房、手术空间、兽医护理和质量保证计划 research.临床、外科、成像、放射治疗和病理学实验室设施和服务 提供了现有的技术服务已扩展到南校区设施， 自上次CCSG更新以来增加了计算机化动物谱系和病史申请， 临床前毒理学服务和增加的运输服务。新设备包括自动化 多物种血液学和化学分析仪、患者监护系统、自动化寝具 分发系统和废物容器、运货货车和100个通风啮齿动物架/笼系统。的 RASFH有122名工作人员，其中包括11名兽医，2名副主任，1名管理员，2名科 经理、1名项目经理、10名实验室人员、77名动物护理人员和17名办事员/支持人员 工作人员丁奇博士负责协调RASFH的日常运作。五名兽医指导5名 为研究动物使用者提供设施、设备和服务的服务部门。资金 RASFH目前由CCSG（6%），用户费（39%），机构支持（53%）和其他基金提供 （百分之二）。在过去的5年里，RASFH已被319名调查员使用，支持20个不同的CCSG 程序.同行评审的研究者占RASFH用户使用率的92%。大多数 使用的动物是基因工程小鼠。在过去的5年里，日均网箱数量增加 52%，从2002-03年度的13，243笼动物增加到2006-07年度的20，132笼动物。未来计划包括翻新 扩大南校区动物设施，升级和实施计算机应用程序 用于商业运营和临床前药物开发。此外，RASF休斯顿和史密斯维尔 共同提交了一份启动提案，以开发一个突变小鼠病理学服务，为所有MDACC提供服务 investigators.

The Research Animal Support Facility (RASF) has been a shared resource since the original CCSG was awarded in 1975 and exists to support ongoing clinical and basic cancer research involving laboratory animals at MDACC. The RASF has components located in Houston at MDACC (2 campuses), and in Smithville in the Department of Carcinogenesis. All animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, have Animal Welfare Assurance approval (A3343-01), and are registered as research animal facilities with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (74-R-065). The Research Animal Support Facility Houston (RASFH) is directed by Peggy T. Tinkey, D.V.M. The RASFH encompasses approximately 99,089 sq. ft. of space and provides housing, procedure space, veterinary care, and quality assurance programs for animals used in cancer research. Clinical, surgical, imaging, radiation therapy, and pathology laboratory facilities and services are provided. Existing technical services have been extended to the South Campus facility, and new services added since the last CCSG renewal include computerized animal pedigree and medical history applications, preclinical toxicology services, and increased transportation services. New equipment includes automated multi-species hematology and chemistry analyzers, patient monitoring systems, automated bedding dispensing systems and waste containers, cargo van, and 100 ventilated rodent rack/cage systems. The RASFH has 122 personnel, which includes 11 veterinarians, 2 associate directors, 1 administrator, 2 section managers, 1 project manager, 10 laboratory personnel, 77 animal care personnel, and 17 clerical/support staff. Dr. Tinkey coordinates the daily operations of the RASFH. Five faculty veterinarians direct the 5 service sections that provide facilities, equipment, and services to research animal users. Funding for the RASFH is currently provided by the CCSG (6%), user fees (39%), institutional support (53%) and other funds (2%). In the past 5 years, the RASFH has been used by 319 investigators supporting 20 different CCSG programs. Peer-reviewed investigators represent 92% of the RASFH user utilization. The majority of animals used are genetically engineered mice. In the past 5 years, the daily average cage counts increased 52%, from 13,243 cages in 2002-03 to 20,132 cages of animals in 2006-07. Future plans include renovation and expansion of the South Campus animal facility, and upgrading and implementing computer applications for business operations and preclinical drug development. Additionally, RASF-Houston and Smithville have jointly submitted a startup proposal to develop a Mutant Mouse Pathology Service to serve all MDACC investigators.