| What paperwork do I need to complete to initiate a Genetically Engineered Models and Services project? |
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Please forward the completed forms to Charles River Laboratories via fax (978-658-6974). It generally takes about one week to complete the required paperwork, construct the isolator(s), and coordinate shipment of the animals. If you require a cost estimate to obtain a purchase order, please complete an on-line quote request.
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| How does Genetically Engineered Models and Services house my animals? |
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We use an isolator system designed to protect your colony from genetic or microbiologic contamination. Our isolators are equipped with a sophisticated system of HEPA filters, controlled supply entry, and central handling that ensure complete security for your colony. In addition, humidity, temperature, and pressure are constantly monitored and strictly regulated to achieve optimal living and breeding conditions for your animals while in our care.
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| How many cages does an isolator hold? |
| Size of Isolator | No. of Mouse Cages | No. of Rat Cages |
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3 foot
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18
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9
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6 foot
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30
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12
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8 foot
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64
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27
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| Can Charles River help me obtain animals from overseas? |
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Yes. We have coordinated shipments from all around the world for our clients. All you need to do is provide us with a contact at the source location and the number and strain of animals you wish to import. This information can be provided in the Model Information Form and we will take care of the rest. Charles River will secure import permits, schedule the animal shipment, coordinate transportation, and receive animals at our Wilmington or San Diego facility on your behalf. Once the animals arrive, they are quarantined and tested following our standard health monitoring protocol or a customized protocol approved by you. Breeding during the quarantine period is allowed under our standard protocol to jump start colony production at the completion of quarantine. Alternatively, animals can be immediately rederived, cryopreserved, or utilized to begin an Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) program. At the completion of quarantine, animals may continue to be bred at Charles River or shipped immediately to your facility. Many institutions have no restrictions on animals coming from Charles River and allow approved quarantined animals directly into their barrier facilities.
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| A health report for my colony is unavailable. Can Genetically Engineered Models and Services still accept my animals? |
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Yes. Thanks to the isolator system that we use, we can accept animals into our facility without a known health status. Additionally, we can accept animals that have opportunistic pathogens such as MHV, MPV, mites,or pinworms into our facility. Animals that have an unknown health status can be quarantined to determine an accurate health profile. Animals that have a known undesirable health status can be rederived on arrival or treated depending on the pathogen in question.
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| Can you coordinate genetic testing of my models while they are at your facility? |
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Yes, Charles River can test for carrier status/zygosity in transgenic and knockout strains utilizing the techniques of DNA Amplification (PCR) and QPCR. In addition, Charles River provides microsatellite analysis for the purposes of background strain characterization or to monitor for genetic drift within your colony.
We also offer MAX-BAXSM (a DNA profile test) for Marker-Assisted Accelerated Backcrossing that will facilitate the production of congenic strains of laboratory animals. The results from this test can be used for directed selection of individuals/breeders with preferred genetic backgrounds. By breeding selectively rather than randomly, an investigator can significantly decrease the number of backcross generations needed to produce 95-99% congenic strain.
For information about other related services, check out our Genetic Testing Services section.
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| I need my mice and rats cleaned up, do you recommend C-section or embryo transfer? |
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We perform rederivation by embryo transfer. Embryo transfer is a surgical transfer of sterile embryos into oviducts of pseudopregnant clean females. Embryo transfer is recommended for the following reasons:
- The sterility of embryo transfer eliminates transplacental agents such as Mycoplasma and Pasteurella Pneumotropica.
- Embryo transfer provides higher success rates with lines that are difficult to breed such as transgenics and knockouts.
- Avoids risk of non-acceptance of pups by the foster mother.
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| How should I ship my animals to your Genetically Engineered Models and Services department? |
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The following is a list of tips to take into account when shipping your animals to us.
- When using cage dividers, always firmly secure dividers into desired position FIRST, NEXT add bedding, and THEN put your animals into the cage. Please do not add bedding before placing dividers, the animals may dig under.
- Please make sure that there is a sufficient supply of moist food in each animal's cage. Please be aware that your animals may stay in transit for an extended period of time, especially if they are headed for an international destination.
- Cage cards and any other documents you might be sending with your animals have to be taped on the OUTSIDE of the cage. Please do not put any documents inside the cage, animals may destroy them.
- When sending your animals to Charles River, ALWAYS fill out a return address! Please do not forget to include the investigator's name and the strain being shipped. Please remember to list your return address as follows:
Return Address:
Investigator: Dr. Jane Doe
Animals being shipped: Number,
StrainSmart Research Institute
35 Worldwide Ave.
Anycity, AS 00000 |
Please notify us at 781-222-6214 once you have shipped out your animals so we can plan for their arrival, or contact you in case they don't arrive according to schedule.
We hope that these tips will prove to be helpful. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated by all animals and people involved.
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| I need you to clip tails from all pups born in my isolator and send them back to my facility for genetic analysis. What collection methods for tail biopsies do you offer? |
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Standard- tails are collected, put in a -70 °C freezer, and shipped on dry ice via UPS
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Flash frozen- upon collection, tails are flash frozen in liquid nitrogen, stored in -70 °C freezer, and shipped on dry ice via UPS
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Ethanol- tails are collected and placed into 70% ethanol, stored in +4 °C refrigerator, and shipped overnight on ice packs via UPS
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| What is going to happen if one of my animals becomes sick and needs to be euthanized? |
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On the Model Information Form you fill out when you initiate your project, we ask that you provide us with an animal emergency primary and a secondary contact at your institution. In the event that an animal becomes sick and needs to be euthanized, we will contact your primary or your secondary designated contact. If we do not hear from them within 24 hours, we will humanely euthanize the animal. If you know in advance that you will want tissues collected from euthanized animals, please indicate on the Model Information Form which tissues you want collected and how you want them collected (e.g. spleen, liver, and kidneys to be stored in 10% neutral buffered formalin.)
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| What information is necessary in order to draw up a project-specific quote? |
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In general, we need a completed Model Information Form which includes the quantity, age, sex, and zygosity of animals to be received. Additionally, for breeding projects, we also need to know production goals, duration of the project, and breeding scheme by which the animals are to be produced. For cryopreservation projects, we also need to know the number of embryos you wish to have collected.
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| What is MAX-BAXSM? Why would someone want to have one performed? |
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MAX-BAX (Marker-Assisted Accelerated Backcrossing) utilizes microsatellite analysis to facilitate the rapid production of congenic strains of knockout and transgenic rodents. This test enables breeders to select the animals with the preferred genetic background, reducing the number of generations necessary to produce a desired strain and thus also reducing facility, equipment and personnel costs.
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| What is the difference between Basic and Genetic Isolator Maintenance? |
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Basic Isolator Maintenance applies to breeding of homozygous colonies, animal holding, and most aging studies. Genetic Isolator Maintenance applies to breeding of heterozygous colonies, backcrossing, time-mating, or any colony breeding where tails clipping is required.
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| Do you offer rescue services for aged or unproductive animals? |
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Yes. Charles River offers In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Artificial Insemination (AI), and Ovarian Transplantation to rescue a line. We can also provide complete computerized sperm analysis on males to assess their fertility prior to beginning any such procedure.
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| What is the difference between your Rapid Rederivation Service and your Standard Rederivation Service? |
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Please see the attached flyer for a complete comparison of the two services.
Standard Rederivation vs. Rapid Rederivation Flyer
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| Do you offer rapid line expansion via IVF? |
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Yes. Charles River currently offers this service for lines that are on a C57BL/6, FVB, or B6F1 hybrid background. We will consider offering the service for other strains on request. Please call 1-877-CRIVER-1 for more information.
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