Nizhny Novgorod world-class vivarium

UNN Press Service 

The Institute of Biology and Biomedicine of Lobachevsky University (IBBM) has created an SPF-vivarium, which includes facilities for keeping laboratory rodents (mice), performing surgical operations, a full set of behavioral tests to assess the functional state of the central nervous system of rats and mice. 

Up to 3000 mice can be kept in the IBBM vivarium at the same time, and when using the double system, the number doubles. This is an impressive figure. There are only two similar complexes in Russia (in Pushchino and at Novosibirsk University), a third one has been built at Lobachevsky University. By the way, there are usually three or four such vivariums per one university campus in Europe or the USA.

Photo: Anastasia Makarycheva / Gorky TVSpecial genetically modified animals will be kept here.

These can be epileptic mice, diabetics, schizophrenics, and they are genetically determined already at birth.

The vivarium will host scientific research, classes with students. Along with the engineering group, biology students will work here, take care of animals, as well as perform bachelor's or master's work.

The vivarium is equipped with an operating room for surgical manipulations and a behavioral unit for studying memory and learning processes, developing and reproducing conditioned reflexes, conducting behavioral, neurobiological, pharmacological and genetic scientific research. Joint research work is already underway with international and Russian research centers. There is an agreement with the Nizhny Novgorod Medical Academy, Nizhny Novgorod Agricultural Academy, Mininsky University. A project is being implemented with the Institute of Immunology of the Clinic in Berlin for the study of mutagenesis, the German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders. On the basis of the vivarium, research will be conducted on the problems of schizophrenia, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, memory at all levels (molecular, subcellular, cellular, tissue, up to behavioral features).

A vivarium is a complex consisting of a system of special rooms and equipment for keeping and breeding laboratory animals. The SPF status of the vivarium (specific pathogen free) means the absence of species-specific pathogenic microorganisms that cause various infectious diseases in mice and rats. Working with animals in such conditions allows you to clearly answer the question posed in the study. In July, work begins within the framework of the projects "A unique scientific installation for the study of information processes in the brain using optogenetics methods" and "Identification of new mutations controlling malformations of the cerebral cortex through ENU-induced mutagenesis in mice". Commissioning works, staff training are being completed, and training sessions are taking place.

The IBBM vivarium will contain genetically modified animals that lack any gene (for example, responsible for insulin production, and these mice are already congenital diabetics), any gene carries a mutation (for example, in potassium channels, and these mice develop migraines) or a new gene is embedded (for example, encoding fluorescent proteins that make cells glow under a microscope). They have no pathogenic microflora, immunity is minimal, and therefore it is necessary to keep them in special conditions. The vivarium is built in compliance with strict sterility requirements that meet international standards. He was assigned the seventh grade of purity according to ISO. There are nine classes in total. For comparison, the first one is presented in residential premises, and the fifth one is in the operating unit of hospitals. A multi-stage protection system ensures the prevention of any infections. The clean animal holding area is separated from the external environment by an autoclave and a special gateway.

The head of the SPF-vivarium is PhD Associate Professor of Lobachevsky University Andrey Aleksandrovich Mironov. He completed internships and training at the SPF nursery in Pushchino, at Jackson Laboratory (USA), at Utrecht University (Netherlands) at the Department of Veterinary Medicine on the topic "Laboratory animals for science".

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20.07.2015