Animal house and Biosafety - Range C: MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF ZEBRAFISH AND MICE BREEDING AT IB-USP - STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING ANIMAL USE, IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND INCREASING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

• Grant number: 25/07639-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Improvement of the Operational Infrastructure of Small-Animal Facilities and Biosafety
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Mariz Vainzof
• Grantee: Mariz Vainzof
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Ana Cristina Victorino Krepischi ; Dora Selma Fix Ventura ; Felipe Tadeu Galante Rocha de Vasconcelos ; Laura Machado Lara Carvalho ; Oswaldo Keith Okamoto

Abstract

The multi-user zebrafish and mouse animal facilities at the Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology of the Institute of Biosciences - University of São Paulo (IB-USP) have supported a variety of research projects since their inception. These include investigations into the molecular mechanisms of muscular dystrophies, cancer, intellectual disability, craniofacial malformations, aging, and the metabolism-microbiote-inflammation axis, all of which are of great scientific relevance and have significant impact in the fields of health and basic research. Due to the simultaneous execution of multiple projects-carried out by students and researchers at different levels of training-and the absence of a dedicated technical specialist responsible for centralized management of animal husbandry, scientific project coordination, and operational planning/execution, the facilities face several challenges. In the case of the zebrafish facility, overcrowding of breeding racks limits the expansion of studies and leads to an excessive number of fish per tank, which compromises animal welfare, proper development, and the quality of scientific data. Similarly, the mouse facility has seen a growing demand for animals due to a recent increase in research projects, which ideally require centralized planning by a technical specialist to avoid overuse and prevent overload on infrastructure. These issues are closely related to ethical concerns regarding animal care and the responsible use of research animals. This proposal was therefore developed in alignment with the 3Rs principles, with an emphasis on reducing the number of animals used in both facilities, improving living conditions, and optimizing operational routines. The project involves the hiring of two specialized professionals who will be responsible for managing the animal facilities, improving processes such as animal inventory and distribution, advance planning of experimental needs, performing procedures such as breeding and genotyping based on specific demands, reducing animal use, and enhancing environmental conditions. Additionally, the technicians will support IB-USP in equipment maintenance and monitoring, develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), provide proper training to new users of both facilities, and implement pathogen screening tests for zebrafish health monitoring. This efficient management strategy will promote a more responsible and sustainable use of resources, ensure animal welfare, and improve the quality of research data produced, making it more internationally competitive. In addition to hiring two specialized technicians, the proposal includes a budget allocated for the acquisition of supplies necessary both for maintaining optimal conditions in the animal facilities and for implementing the proposed molecular biology protocols. (AU)