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

中央动物中心(CAF)是一座建于1973年的两层建筑，为各种物种提供集中的动物收容所。这项提案中描述的研究人员分布在圭尔夫大学4所学院的6个系中，并利用各种大小动物研究模型。在过去的40年里，CAF经历了多次翻新，以保持灵活性，在一个中央设施内支持多物种和多用户研究项目的复杂需求。随着支持使用动物模型，特别是转基因啮齿动物模型的需求不断增加，迫切需要更换原有的不起作用的笼式垫圈，并在CAF内支持老化的功能笼式垫圈。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的组成部分。目前的应用解决了更换原来的笼垫圈的迫切需要，使CAF能够以安全的方式运行，并有效地清洁越来越多的啮齿动物笼子。包括电气系统、通风、地板和墙壁的翻新，以满足设备要求，这些费用将由大学承担。由这一拟议设备支持的研究项目不仅有助于我们对生物过程的基本理解的进步，而且还有助于对改善加拿大人生活的疾病的转化性治疗。

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.