MULTIGENOTYPIC AGED MOUSE COLONY

培育、维持和分发一群年老的、基因上确定的实验室小鼠，供研究人员用于衰老的研究该群体将在受控和确定的屏障环境中发展和维持，在该环境中对动物进行监测，并确定其疾病状态和遗传纯度标记。目前和计划中的实验使用啮齿类动物来模拟人类的衰老过程和与年龄相关的疾病，需要确定基因型和控制环境和健康状况的动物。只有对遗传和环境变量进行细致、长期的控制，才有可能维持相关的动物模型，用于研究衰老过程中的许多生物和行为过程。因此，对衰老研究项目来说，持续供应基因明确、特征良好的近交系和杂交实验动物是必不可少的。

To develop, maintain and distribute a standing colony of aged, genetically defined laboratory mice for use by investigators in studies of aging. This colony is to be developed and maintained within controlled and defined barrier environments where animals are monitored and characterized for disease status and markers of genetic purity. Current and projected experiments using rodents to model the aging processes and age-related diseases in humans require animals of defined genotype and controlled environmental and health status. Only with the meticulous, long-term control of genetic and environmental variables is it possible to maintain relevant animal models that may be used to study many of the biological and behavioral processes in aging. Therefore, a continuous supply of genetically defined, well characterized inbred and hybrid laboratory animals is essential for a program of research on aging.