Cage Washer to Support Diverse Research Programs in a Centralized Animal Facility

中央动物设施（CAF）是一座建于1973年的2层建筑，为各种物种提供集中的动物住房。 本提案中描述的研究者位于圭尔夫大学4个学院的6个系，并利用各种大型和小型动物研究模型。 在过去的40年里，CAF经历了多次翻新，以保持灵活性，在一个集中的设施内支持多物种和多用户研究计划的复杂需求。 随着对支持使用动物模型，特别是转基因啮齿动物模型的需求不断增加，迫切需要在CAF内更换原始的非功能性笼垫圈并支持老化的功能性笼垫圈。 毫无疑问，笼子处理和净化设备是维持动物设施生物安全的最重要组成部分。 当前的应用解决了替换原始笼垫圈的关键需求，以允许CAF以安全的方式操作并有效地清洁越来越多的啮齿动物笼。 电气系统、通风、地板和墙壁的翻修包括在内，以补充设备要求，这些费用将由大学支付。 由该设备支持的研究计划不仅有助于我们对生物过程的基本理解，而且有助于改善加拿大人生活的疾病的转化疗法。

The Central Animal Facility (CAF) is a 2 story building built in 1973, to provide centralized animal housing for a variety of species. The investigators described in this proposal are located in 6 departments across 4 colleges at the University of Guelph and utilize a variety of large and small animal research models. Over the last 40 years, the CAF has undergone numerous renovations to remain flexible in supporting the complex demands of multispecies and multiuser research programs within a centralized facility. With an increasing demand to support the use of animal models, especially genetically modified rodent models, there is an urgent need to replace the original non-functional cage washer and support the aging functional cage washer within the CAF. Cage processing and decontamination equipment are beyond question the most important components in maintaining bio-security in an animal facility. The current application addresses the critical need to replace the original cage washer, to allow the CAF to operate in a safe manner and to efficiently clean an increasingly large number of rodent cages. Renovations to electrical systems, ventilation, flooring and walls are included to complement the equipment request, and these costs will be covered by the University. Research programs supported by this proposed equipment not only contribute to advances in our fundamental understanding of biological processes but also to translational therapies for diseases that improve the lives of Canadians.