／Animal Resource Center for Infectious Diseases About Animal Resource Center
To study infectious diseases, immunological responses, and cancer, it is important to analyze interactions between pathogenic factors and the human body. Animal models are indispensable for biomedical research, particularly since molecular biology and biotechnology methods can be used to generate genetically modified mice that aid our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying such diseases. Experimentally infected animals and genetically engineered animals used for these purposes should be managed in a suitable, safe, and controlled manner. The Animal Resource Center for Infectious Diseases is a unique facility that was established in 1967 to meet these requirements.
The center is equipped with pass-through-type autoclave systems and HEPA filtered air exchange systems to minimize the risk of contamination so that infected or genetically engineered animals are maintained in a safe environment. The animals are housed in two areas in our facility: SPF (specific pathogen free) and ABSL2 (animal biosafety level 2). Further, we operate an ABSL3 area (animal biosafety level 3) jointly with the Central Laboratory for Biological Hazardous Microbes. The condition of the animals is monitored regularly. Before gaining access to restricted areas, researchers must take an official orientation and all the animal experiments have to be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. We follow the 3Rs (Replacement ,Reduction, Refinement) and the five freedoms for animals.
Our facility provides the following services: generation of genetically manipulated animals, in vitro fertilization, and cryopreservation of mouse strains (Table 1 ). The facility provides these services in co-operation with the Department of Experimental Genome Research. For more information about our research and services, please visit our homepage (https://arcid.biken.osaka-u.ac.jp/).
| IVF/ET | TG | KO, KI | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
until 2000 |
261 | 228 | 50 |
| 2001-2003 | 443 | 104 | 57 |
| 2004-2006 | 331 | 43 | 69 |
| 2007-2009 | 216 | 22 | 74 |
| 2010-2012 | 388 | 55 | 152 |
| 2013-2015 | 580 | 50 | 242※ |
| 2016-2018 | 505 | 21 | 191※ |
| 2019-2021 |
702 (ET 246, freezing456) |
44 | 466※ |
| 2022 |
312 (ET 52, freezing260) |
14 | 156※ |
| 2023 |
209 (ET 52, freezing157) |
16 | 116※ |
Table1 Tg, Transgenic; KO, Knockout; IVF, in vitro Fertilization; ET, Embryo transfer.
※Includes lines generated using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system.
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Buildings at the Animal Resource Center. Building A (left, built in 2019, four-story). Building C (right, built in 2009, four-story).
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Infectious experiment area. Safe and smooth animal experiments on pathogenic factors such as dengue fever, Zika fever, malaria, and influenza can be performed.
Staff
- Head, Professor: Masahito Ikawa(concur.)
- Assoc. Prof.: Haruhiko Miyata(concur.)
- Asst. Prof.: Keisuke Shimada
- Asst. Prof.: Maki Kamoshita
- Asst. Prof.: Chihiro Emori(concur.)
- Sa Asst. Prof.: Daisuke Mashiko(concur.)
- Sa Asst. Prof.: Yuki Hatanaka(concur.)
