Bioterium

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The CBMR / UAlg Vivarium is a conventional equipment for housing laboratory animals of the mus musculus species under specific pathogen-free conditions (SPF).

Experimentation in small rodents is a tool of enormous contribution to the scientific process, of great importance in a preclinical phase in safety tests and evaluation of drug efficacy. Currently, even with the most advanced technology, it is not possible to reproduce the complexity of the interactions between cells, tissues and organs that occur in humans. In the context of understanding these interactions and facilitating the development of new therapies, the scientific methodology elects animals, mostly rodents, as an experimental model of man. Namely, the high genetic homology with humans, the ease of genetic manipulation, the short gestation period and short life cycle, make rodents an excellent research tool.

Progress in biomedicine is dependent on innovation and translation of laboratory findings into clinical practice. In this process of biomedical research, animal experimentation is generally a prerequisite for the validation of scientific hypotheses and a mechanism that will allow patients to benefit from new therapeutic applications.

The Vivarium of CBMR-UAlg follows the rules in Decree-Law No. 113/2013 and the opinions of ORBEA, described in regulation No. 806/2016.

Services

Biotério aims to provide technical and scientific support to UAlg researchers to use animal models in their experiments. All activity is carried out in accordance with the Portuguese Regulation for Animal Welfare. The Vivarium also aims to contribute to the training and competence training in experimental procedures in vivo, to CBMR researchers, students and medical staff of CHUA and other individual or collective persons.

Homemade breeding of a small number of “pure” lines of mice, namely C57 / Bl6 and 129 / Sv.

Breeding and housing of strains of genetically modified mice.

Execution of surgical procedures aimed at improving the health status of the animals housed and assistance in the import / export of animals, according to the SPF status of the receiving animal facility.

Technical and scientific advice to researchers planning to design genetic manipulation experiments using mouse models.

 

Biomedical, pharmacological, toxicity studies, etc. for external entities, upon request and contract.

 

Live image of small animal models, allowing visualization of anatomical structures and hemodynamic functions in vivo.

The UAlg Vivarium has a live imaging unit (High Frequency Ultrasound System).

The high-frequency ultrasound system provides high-resolution images of small animal models to visualize anatomical structures and hemodynamic functions in vivo, longitudinally, in a non-invasive manner.


The main areas of application are: cardiovascular research, cancer research, abdominal imaging, inflammation, reproductive biology, neurobiology, embryonic development, ophthalmology, tissue and stem cell regeneration.


The available techniques are:

 

  • Visualization and measurement of 2D and 3D anatomical structures 
  • Blood flow analysis
  • Image-guided injection and biopsies.
  • Contrast image to quantify the relative perfusion and study the expression of biomarkers.
  • VevoStrain analysis software for cardiac research.

 

Equipment:


Vevo2100 Imaging System
Vevo Imaging Station
Micro-Injection System
Anesthesia System
MS250 MicroScan Transducer (21 MHz)
MS550D MicroScan Transducer(40 MHz)

 

Quality technical support is provided, from consulting on experimental projects to data analysis.

 

 
 
 
Contacts

Responsible for the unit: Clévio Nóbrega

Unit manager: Vítor Fernandes

Telephone: +351 289 800 097 (2) 303 444

Unit technician: Regina Peão

Telephone: +351 289 800 097 289 800 056