CONSTRUCTION OF RESEARCH ANIMAL FACILITY

描述（由申请人提供）：申请资金用于在马里兰大学医学院精神病学研究部门MPRC新建动物设施。MPRC是国际知名的精神分裂症研究中心，建于1968年，位于马里兰州卡顿斯维尔的斯普林格罗夫州立精神病院。MPRC旨在了解精神分裂症的神经生物学基础，并为患者提供最新的可能治疗方案，目前拥有20多名高度互动的美国国立卫生研究院（NIH）资助的临床前和临床研究人员，以及180名支持人员。在实验室工作的科学家们使用的是MPRC四楼一个令人不满意的动物设施。规划面积为7291平方米。最先进的动物园将占据毗邻MPRC主楼的新增加的空间，并将取代陈旧和严重不足的动物宿舍。新设施预计将于2003年2月完工，它将是履行当前申请义务所不可或缺的，并将使MPRC的科学家在未来申请联邦和非联邦资助时保持竞争优势。尤其值得一提的是，该实验室将为MPRC的研究人员提供一个机会，使他们能够适应和使用基因操纵的动物，从而参与精神病学遗传学的革命。在靠近MPRC实验室的地方提供这种动物，对于在该机构内外成功地继续进行转化研究至关重要。拟议的项目将由马里兰州共同出资，因此被认为有助于维持MPRC在精神分裂症研究中的地位。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Funds are requested to fit-out a newly constructed animal facility at the MPRC, the research arm of the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. An internationally renowned center for schizophrenia research, the MPRC was built in 1968 on the grounds of the Spring Grove State Psychiatric Hospital in Catonsville, Maryland. Designed to understand the neurobiological basis of schizophrenia and to provide patients with the newest possible treatment options, the MPRC is currently home to more than 20 highly interactive, National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded pre-clinical and clinical investigators, and 180 support personnel. Laboratory-based scientists use an unsatisfactory animal facility on the fourth floor of the MPRC. The proposed 7,291 sq. ft. state-of-the-art vivarium will occupy space in a new addition adjacent to the MPRC main building and will replace the antiquated and grossly inadequate animal quarters. The new facility, projected for completion in February 2003, will be indispensable for fulfilling current application obligations and will allow MPRC scientists to maintain their competitive edge in future applications for federal and nonfederal support. In particular, the vivarium will create an opportunity for MPRC investigators to accommodate and use genetically manipulated animals, and, thus, to partake in the revolution in psychiatric genetics. Availability of such animals in close proximity to the MPRC laboratories is critically important for the successful continuation of translational research within the Institution and beyond. The proposed project, which will be co-financed by contributions from the State of Maryland, therefore, considered instrumental for sustaining the stature of the MPRC in schizophrenia research.