Animal Facilities and Biosafety - Track A, "Acquisition of Equipment and Adaptation of Sanitary Barriers at the Center for the Development of Experimental Models for Medicine and Biology."

• Grant number: 25/07448-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Improvement of the Operational Infrastructure of Small-Animal Facilities and Biosafety
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Magnus Régios Dias da Silva
• Grantee: Magnus Régios Dias da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Anna Caroline Campos Aguiar ; Daniela Santoro Rosa ; Glaucius Oliva ; Guiomar Nascimento Gomes ; João Bosco Pesquero ; Luiz Carlos Dias ; Rafael Victorio Carvalho Guido ; Ricardo Mario Arida ; Rodrigo César Rorato ; Ronaldo de Carvalho Araújo ; Rui Monteiro de Barros Maciel ; Sergio Schenkman ; Tânia Aparecida Tardelli Gomes do Amaral

Abstract

Preclinical research utilizing rodent models is fundamental to biomedical science, underpinning significant advances in human health, including the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and the development of more effective treatments. Rodent models, particularly those generated using gene editing technologies, have become increasingly sophisticated, enabling the replication of complex clinical features observed in human diseases. These models are essential tools for investigating disease pathogenesis mechanisms and evaluating therapeutic interventions' efficacy and safety.The scientific value and translational relevance of data obtained from experimental models are highly dependent on the environmental conditions in which the animals are maintained. Variables such as stress, microbial composition, temperature, and pathogen exposure can significantly alter physiological and behavioral responses, influencing experimental outcomes. Therefore, ensuring rigorous control of these variables is both a matter of animal welfare and a critical determinant of research validity, reproducibility, and the reliability of therapeutic testing.In line with international best practices, the National Council for the Control of Animal Experimentation (CONCEA/MCTI) requires compliance with recognized guidelines, including the Brazilian Guideline for the Care and Use of Animals in Teaching or Research Activities (DBCA), PREPARE (Planning Research and Experimental Procedures on Animals: Recommendations for Excellence), and ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments). These standards emphasize that animal welfare is foundational to high-quality science and must be supported by robust infrastructure, including environmental control systems and biosecurity measures.The Centro de Desenvolvimento de Modelos Experimentais para Medicina e Biologia (CEDEME) is a core facility that supplies genetically defined rodent models to support research conducted at Unifesp and numerous partner institutions across Brazil. However, to maintain scientific excellence and meet growing research demands, CEDEME requires targeted upgrades and modernization of its infrastructure. These improvements will ensure optimal environmental conditions, enhance biosecurity, and support compliance with national and international standards.Furthermore, ensuring animal welfare also promotes the health and safety of professionals involved in breeding, handling, and experimentation, from animal facility technicians to researchers and students. Compliance with regulations and proper maintenance of environmental systems reduce risks, prevent disruptions, and facilitate the execution of research projects.Investing in CEDEME will significantly strengthen Brazil's capacity for high-quality, competitive biomedical research, particularly in the State of São Paulo. Modernizing this facility will directly contribute to the generation of more robust and translatable scientific data, promote innovation in health research, and ensure that Brazilian science remains at the forefront of global developments in preclinical and translational research. (AU)