The UC San Diego Animal Care Program provides a wide array of essential services to support researchers in animal model-based studies. Dedicated to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare and scientific rigor, the program encompasses several specialized laboratories, each offering unique diagnostic and research capabilities. These facilities are crucial resources for investigators requiring in-depth analysis and characterization of animal models, ensuring the integrity and reliability of research outcomes.
UC San Diego Animal Care Program Diagnostic Services Laboratory
At the heart of the UC San Diego Animal Care Program Ucsd is the Diagnostic Services Laboratory. This facility delivers a broad spectrum of clinical and morphologic pathology services, vital for research support. Services range from phenotype characterization and safety/toxicology testing to specialized tests tailored for individual animal models. The laboratory is also instrumental in colony and individual animal health diagnostics and care, ensuring the well-being of research animals. Operating on a cost-recovery basis, the laboratory’s pricing structure is designed to be accessible to researchers.
Overseen by a board-certified veterinary pathologist and staffed by highly experienced laboratory technicians, the Diagnostic Services Laboratory boasts significant in-house capabilities. To further extend its diagnostic reach and expertise, the laboratory collaborates with established outside reference laboratories when necessary, ensuring comprehensive diagnostic solutions are available under the expert coordination of the in-house team.
UC San Diego Mouse Phenotyping Core
The UC San Diego Mouse Phenotyping Core is a specialized service within the animal care program ucsd, focused on the detailed analysis and interpretation of histopathology in genetically altered mice. This core facility provides researchers with critical insights into the phenotypic consequences of genetic modifications, a crucial step in understanding gene function and disease mechanisms. By offering expert histopathological assessment, the Phenotyping Core significantly enhances the value and impact of research utilizing genetically modified mouse models.
UC San Diego Animal Care Program Phenotyping Core
Complementing the histopathology services, the UC San Diego Animal Care Program Phenotyping Core delivers comprehensive behavioral and metabolic testing. This core facility assists researchers in achieving their research objectives by providing access to state-of-the-art testing paradigms. Services include not only the testing itself but also training for researchers to conduct their own experiments and equipment rental, all available on a recharge basis. This comprehensive approach empowers researchers to thoroughly investigate behavioral and metabolic phenotypes in their animal models within the animal care program ucsd framework.
The Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory
An integral part of the UC San Diego animal care program ucsd network is The Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory. This self-supporting international reference center specializes in the diagnosis and study of neuromuscular diseases affecting companion animals. The laboratory employs a team of full-time Staff Research Associates who are experts in performing diagnostic clinical and research testing procedures on muscle and nerve biopsy specimens. Furthermore, the laboratory conducts serological assays for the diagnosis of canine and feline myasthenia gravis.
Beyond diagnostic services, The Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory maintains an extensive tissue archive of frozen and embedded muscle and nerve specimens, serving as a valuable resource for research. The laboratory also extends its expertise through consultations and collaborations with investigators utilizing rodent models of neuromuscular disease, fostering advancements in neuromuscular research across species.
For detailed information regarding these services, please contact:
Veterinary Pathologist: 858-534-8860 or [email protected]
Diagnostic Services Laboratory: 858-534-4264 or [email protected], [email protected]
