Animal Care Facility
The Animal Care Facility (ACF) at Meharry Medical College (MMC) has been accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) since 1972 and operates in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act as Amended (7 USC, 2131-2156); Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (Public Law - 158); follows the Public Health Service policy on Human Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (revised 2010); and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (revised 2010). Laboratory animal veterinarians and technical staff provide primary and veterinary care to all research animals, as well as investigator training, technical assistance and guidance, and access to health status and laboratory services. Our goal is the maintenance of an enriched, variable-free, secure and humane environment for our animal subjects as well as superb customer service for our research clients.
PAST PERFORMANCE
Research accomplishments of ACF have been funded by federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, several research publications from MMC used the ACF as a research resource.
SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
The IVIS® SpectrumCT preclinical invivo imaging system is a state-of-theart imager that offers 2D and 3D imaging capabilities and includes integrated low-dose microCT ideal for longitudinal studies. The system provides researchers with greater insights into complex biological systems by enabling simultaneous molecular and anatomical non-invasive imaging in animal models. The IVIS Spectrum can be used in oncology research, infectious disease, inflammation studies, metabolic disease, neurology, gene therapy, stem cell biology, cardiovascular disease, immunology, transplantation biology, and drug metabolism.
The ACF is equipped with Tecniplast BSC-II biosafety cabinets, Lab Products StayClean™ Workbenchs, Tecniplast CS 5 EVO plus animal change stations, and IsoTech/ SurgiVet Isoflurane Vaprorizers. All mobile hoods and vaporizers are serviced and certified annually.
The IVIS® Spectrum CT offers the ultimate performance and range of applications for in vivo imaging - leading edge molecular and anatomical imaging in a single integrated system.
Animal housing equipment include Tecniplast green line seal safe ventilated mouse and rat racks, Optimice and Optirat rack systems that provide highest density housing with odor and allergens containment. Lab Products micro-Isolator static cages for mice and rats, Allentown standard rabbit and guinea pig racks, Avidity animal watering system.
Pathology support is provided by a trained comparative pathologist and the lab is equipped with a multiheaded Zeiss microscope equipped with a camera system for tissue histological examination and micrography.
The ACF is a secure research facility with a restricted entrance for approved users and monitored 24/7 with a security surveillance system.