Integrated Physiology Facility

The IPF is well equipped for in vivo animal physiology studies with capabilities for complex phenotyping, telemetry and surgery.

Equipment is listed below. Please browse our fees.

TSE Phenomaster

The Phenomaster is a versatile phenotyping system. Up to 16 animals are individually housed in standard cage bottoms, inside environmentally controlled chambers. The two environmentally controlled chambers can operate independently and control light intensity, temperature and humidity. The monitoring equipment around each cage simultaneously records food and drink consumption, body weight, activity, oxygen consumption and CO2 production. Implanted telemetry equipment can also be incorporated within the Phenomaster further expanding its capabilities as required. Indirect calorimetry for metabolic studies can be performed by using the measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 production. The monitoring equipment can also be programmed to automatically restrict access to food and to pair feed either single or groups of animals. Running wheels can similarly be programmed to operate freely or under restricted access.

Buker Minispec NMR analyser

The NMR analyser measures total body fat and lean mass in conscious mice. The procedure is fast and causes no deleterious effects to the mice allowing the measurements to be repeated on the one animal over a period of time if required.

Surgical facility

The surgical facility is well equipped and can be adapted for a wide variety of procedures. The anaesthetic equipment includes oxygen, isoflurane vaporizers, minivet ventilators and a pulse ox for monitoring animals. The surgical microscope assists in the teaching of procedures as it is connected to a television and has the capacity to take still photos and videos. Animals awaiting surgery can be housed in the animal holding facility and animals recovering from surgery can be supported in the warmth of the climate controlled Memmert chambers.

Memmert chambers

The two programmable environment controlled Memmert chambers operate independently and control light intensity, temperature and humidity. These cabinets are effective in providing a warm environment for animals recovering from surgery.

Short term mouse holding facility

The facility has the capacity to hold mice for short term use with in the facility and while acclimatizing to the monitoring systems used in the Phenomaster.

Telemetry

The facility contains the latest DSI telemetry hardware and software. Implantable Telemetry is designed for acquiring a variety of data from conscious, freely moving laboratory animals. The telemetry and phenomaster can be combined to provide very detailed real time physiological data.

Echocardiography machine

Detailed assessment of systolic and diastolic function
Quantification of cardiac changes resulting from myocardial infarct in adults and neonates
Assessment of function in response to transverse aortic constriction and abdominal aortic constriction-induced cardiac hypertrophy
Assessment of excess angiotensin (pressor, sub pressor)-induced hypertension and hypertrophy
Assessment of exercise-induced hypertrophy-associated cardiac changes
Examination of cardiac function and organ development in developing mice in utero
Integration of ECG analysis with cardiac function
Pressure volume loop analysis (using Millar catheters)

Muromachi Microwave Fixation System

The microwave is used to rapid euthanize mice and fix the brain tissue.

The fixation system halts the rapid post mortem changes in the brain that will otherwise affect neurochemical studies.

Fees and charges

Price list

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