Oral, inhalation, dermal, and systemic routes of administration of these substances are provided as well as specialized environmental and personal safety measures. In addition, the Unit provides segregated housing and health monitoring of genetically altered animals with uncertain health status obtained from outside sources for one-time or pilot experiments. Rederivation services and genetic modification of mice can be arranged via the NYU School of Medicine Central Animal Facility. The Unit also provides comprehensive consultation and collaboration on animal models, experimental design of animal studies, and experimental animal techniques. Fees for animal care are based on a graduated scale depending on the type of animal housed.
Prices are available upon request.
The Unit has a routine health monitoring sentinel program in place at no cost to users. However, ongoing experiments will always have priority over those which are in the planning stage, because of the need to assure a high quality and minimize conditions that may compromise them. Ordering and use of animals requires prior approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, a policy to which the facility strictly adheres. The facility requires that VAF or SPF animals be obtained only from approved vendors or other sources with a high quality health surveillance program. Animals are routinely quarantined for at least 7 days, and sentinel animals are added to all experiments that last 3 months or longer.