INTRODUCTION
The Bioterium Facility (BF) Unit is a conventional facility for the housing of laboratory mouse strains under “Specific Pathogen Free” (SPF) conditions and consists of 4 units, namely two independent rooms for the housing of up to 3700 animals (mice and small rodents); one experimental room, containing equipment necessary for small surgeries and dissections and one support room, where cleaning, washing and sterilization of cages, food and bedding is performed.
The BF provides technical support for animal health and welfare (as by line d) of nº37 Portaria 1005/92. The BF personnel and users follow the animal health and welfare rules stated at Portaria 1005/92 of the Diário da República. The BF provides breeding and maintenance of inbred mouse strains, as well as genetically modified mouse strains and also provides technical and scientific advice to researchers, including support on the design of genetic manipulation experiments using mouse models. The BF also offers external services, such as breeding and maintenance of rodents, including technical and scientific support.
HOUSING SERVICES
TEAM
Manager: Vítor Fernandes Emails: abc.ri@abcmedicalg.pt; vsfernandes@ualg.pt Telephone: 289 800 077 | |
Veterinarian: Pedro Julião | |
Caretaker: Regina Peão
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EQUIPMENT
- Individual Ventilated Cage (IVC) rack system with positive and negative pressure (Techniplast);
- Ventilated Cabinet (Techniplast);
- Biosafety Cabinet class II laminar hood;
- Animal Transfer Station (ATS) with HEPA filters;
- Volatile anesthesia systems;
- Recovery chamber and stereotaxic devices;
- Vivo 2100 Eco graphic system;
- Dedicated equipment for behavioural testings: rotarod, footprint test, contextual and cued fear conditioning, elevated plus maze, Y-maze, OF, pool tests and grip strength.
ORBEA
The ORBEA ABC-RI/FMCB is a consultative and independent body with the purpose of promoting animal welfare in accordance with current legislation (European Directive 2010/63/EU, Decree-Law No. 113/2013 of August 7, Decree-Law No. 1/2019 of January 10) and ensuring ethical compliance and adherence to rules related to animal welfare in research and teaching conducted at ABC-RI/FMCB. In order to enhance the quality of life for animals throughout their lives, aligning practices with new and increasing demands in this area and adhering to international best practices, the "Animal Welfare Committee" ORBEA ABC-RI/FMCB is created, which is governed by these regulations.
See the regulations here.
The members of the ORBEA ABC-RI/FMCB committee are:
a) Dr. Clévio Nóbrega, President of the Committee, as the person responsible for the establishment;
b) Dr. Vítor Fernandes, responsible for the facilities and knowledgeable about animal welfare, particularly mammalian vertebrates;
c) Dr. Tiago Ramalho, responsible veterinarian (Member of the Order of Veterinarians No. 4699);
d) Dr. Marta Vitorino, knowledgeable about animal behavior and welfare;
e) Dr. Marco Campinho, knowledgeable about animal welfare, particularly aquatic vertebrates;
f) Dr. Ana Marreiros, specialist in statistics and experimental design;
g) Dr. Eva Lourenço, with medical and legal knowledge, acting as a representative of civil society.