LAMb Request for Ventilated Cage Racks

体内动物研究对于VA资助的在VA匹兹堡进行的研究至关重要 医疗系统。本提案的目的是获得资金购买通风笼 提供符合监管规范和最新技术水平的饲养所需的机架 在新的动物研究设施（ARF）中，为啮齿动物提供生物防护。集成 笼式系统具有独特的规格，包括安装在Ecoflo鼓风机上的机架，HEPA空气 保持稳定环境的低速过滤器，保持负压的排气室 最大限度地减少污染空气释放到房间， 提高住房能力。所要求的笼子与房间尺寸兼容 新设施的排气系统。目前，10名VA和NIH资助的研究人员 他们的研究动物在VA设施，这是一个转换20世纪50年代的护理宿舍，缺乏 进行最先进的动物研究所需的许多功能和特性。由于 由于目前ARF的不足，另外8名研究人员在 匹兹堡大学通过与附属公司的合同。随着新的东盟区域论坛的完成， 以及现代化的、最先进的笼子系统的安装，我们预计， 目前在匹兹堡大学饲养动物的人将把他们的动物搬回 退伍军人事务部因此，购买这些笼子是一项长期投资，旨在保留 现有的和资助的VA调查人员，并通过加强 我们的动物研究机构的畜牧业质量和能力。

In vivo animal studies are essential to VA-funded research conducted at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. The Aim of this proposal is to obtain funds to purchase ventilated cage racks needed to provide husbandry compliant with regulatory specifications and state-of-the-art biocontainment for housing rodents at the new Animal Research Facility (ARF). The integrated cage systems have unique specifications including racks mounted on Ecoflo blowers, HEPA air filters at low velocity that maintain a stable environment, exhaust plenums that remain negative to the room minimizing that contaminated air is released to the room, and smaller footprints with increased housing capacity. The requested cages are compatible with the room dimensions and exhaust system of the new facility. Currently, 10 VA and NIH funded investigators house their research animals in the VA facility, which is a converted 1950s nursing quarters that lacks many capabilities and features needed to conduct state-of-the-art animal research. Due to the inadequacy of the current ARF, 8 additional investigators conduct animal studies at the University of Pittsburgh through a contract with the affiliate. With the completion of the new ARF and the installation of modern, state of the art caging systems, we anticipate that investigators who currently house their animals at the University of Pittsburgh will move their animals back to the VA. Thus, purchase of these cages represents a long-term investment aimed at retaining existing and funded VA investigators and attracting new VA investigators by enhancing the animal husbandry quality and capabilities of our Animal Research Facility.