Behavioral Models of CNS Diseases
Laboratory of transgenic models
Laboratory of behavioral studies
Animal models, including transgenic programs, are an indispensable aspect of research aimed at verifying the action of substances selected as drug candidates, and to search for pharmacotherapeutic targets. To generate such models, studies at CEPHARES will utilize the latest transgenics achievements based on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.
The laboratory of transgenic models operating at IP PAS will be expanded. New housing facilities for genetically modified animals will be built in order to enhance high through-put characterization of active substance action in vivo. Animals will be maintained in individually ventilated cages situated on shelving units, which will enable a tight control of animal housing conditions and will minimize a risk of infection by pathogens.
Laboratories performing in vivo studies aimed at comprehensive behavioral characterization of animal models of CNS diseases will be modernized by the installation of systems for automatic monitoring of animal behavior.
Studies on animals will be accelerated by application of high-through-put methods, i.e., telemetric measurement of physiological parameters using subcutaneously implanted transponders recording parameters, such as body temperature, blood pressure in the circulation, glucose level, ECG and EEG. Metabolic and activity cages, which measure feed and fluid consumption, changes in body weight, changes in CO2 concentration and other gases which reflect microbiome activity (e.g., H2, CH4, volatile organic compounds), will enable automatic recording of all parameters and behaviors of animals without the involvement of the researcher.