Retrofit MRLB LARC Caging for Automatic Watering System

描述（由申请人提供）：近年来，印第安纳州大学医学院（IUSM）在基因工程小鼠（GEM）的使用方面持续大幅增长。这些动物对于学校指定的主要研究增长领域至关重要，包括癌症，糖尿病和艾滋病毒/艾滋病。由于GEM使用的这种增长以及最近为许多进行涉及这些动物的研究的科学家完成的新实验室空间，我们需要在IUSM的实验室动物资源中心（LARC）中为它们的使用创造更有效和更大的住房容量。2007年，机构资源允许在医学研究和实验室大楼（MRLB）安装反渗透水净化系统，这是IUSM的主要LARC设施之一。虽然这个单一的单位设计的能力，以服务整个MRLB啮齿动物住房面积，自动供水系统管道只能安装在一个套房的设施。现时拨款建议的拨款将用于购置所需许褚，以透过自动供水系统，将净化水输送至鼠笼舍内其他鼠笼内的个别通风笼舍。这将使IUSM能够提高人员的使用效率，降低LARC设施的运营成本，同时保持最高水平的动物护理。它还将允许IUSM通过减少与使用水瓶相关的人体工程学伤害的可能性来保护LARC动物工作人员。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In recent years, the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) has sustained a substantial increase in the use of genetically engineered mice (GEM). These animals are critical for the School's designated areas of major research growth, including cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. As a result of this growth in the use of GEM and the recent completion of new laboratory space for many of the scientists who conduct research involving these animals, we need to create more efficient and larger housing capacity for their use in IUSM's Laboratory Animal Resource Center (LARC). In 2007, institutional resources permitted the installation of a reverse osmosis water purification system in the Medical Research and Laboratory Building (MRLB), one of IUSM's major LARC facilities. Although this single unit was designed at a capacity to serve the entire MRLB rodent housing area, the automatic watering system plumbing could only be installed in one suite of the facility. Funds from the current grant proposal will be used to purchase the equipment necessary to deliver purified water to individually ventilated cages throughout the remainder of the rodent housing space in the MRLB via the automatic watering system. This will enable IUSM to improve efficient use of personnel and to reduce the operational costs associated with LARC facilities while maintaining the highest level of animal care possible. It also will allow IUSM to protect LARC animal staff by reducing the potential for ergonomic injuries associated with the use of water bottles.