The South Cambridge rodent facility has a dedicated germ-free unit with an experienced team who can provide support with breeding germ-free wild type mouse colonies and experimental gnotobiotic mouse studies. We are located on level 4 of the Anne McLaren Building. The germ-free unit houses germ-free and gnotobiotic mice in both positive and negative pressure isolators as well as ISOcage and SPP racks for both CL1 and CL2 studies. The germ-free mice aid researchers in studying diseases, drug discovery and microbiome targeting. The theme of research that takes place here includes:
· Immunology
· Oncology
· Metabolic
· Infectious diseases
The germ-free unit includes the following equipment and spaces:
· Breeding room for wild type germ-free mice and a newly opened room for rederived transgenic germ-free mice in positive pressure flexible film isolators. The rederivation room also includes MBSC workstations and a Sealed Positive Pressure (SPP) rack for experimental studies.
· Gnotobiotic CL1 experimental room including MBSC workstation and SPP rack.
· Gnotobiotic CL2 experimental room including a negative pressure flexible film isolator, MBSC workstation and ISOcage rack.
To maintain the germ-free status, we restrict access to the unit to only UBS staff and researchers that have gone through the correct training and induction process. Any equipment can only be brought in through the autoclaves or VHP chamber with prior permission.