Animal Care Facility and Biosecurity - RANGE A "Acquisition of equipment for animal welfare and biossecurity"

• Grant number: 25/07903-3
• 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: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Campos Junqueira
• Grantee: Juliana Campos Junqueira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São José dos Campos
• Associated researchers: Cristiane Yumi Koga Ito ; Dayane Batista Tada ; Flávio Vieira Loures ; Ivone Regina de Oliveira ; Leandro José Raniero ; Luana Marotta Reis de Vasconcellos ; Marcia Carneiro Valera Garakis ; Rayana Duarte Khoury

Abstract

At the ICT/UNESP-SJC animal facility, research activities are focused on the medical and dental fields, encompassing various subareas such as pathology, microbiology, immunology, surgery, endodontics, dental prosthetics, periodontics, among others. These research initiatives involve faculty members, researchers, and students from ICT/UNESP and several national and international partner institutions, reinforcing the facility's multi-user nature. In vivo studies in animal models are essential for scientific advancement due to the complexity inherent to biological systems. Despite technological innovations involving computational models and alternative animal models, the use of vertebrate animals remains indispensable for the translation of basic research into clinical research. The purpose of this proposal is to secure funding to improve the infrastructure and equipment of the ICT/UNESP-SJC animal facility. This is a usage-focused animal facility with a maximum capacity of 110 rats, 40 mice, and 15 rabbits. Over the years, the facility has undergone renovations and upgrades, enabled by the collective efforts of our research groups and the support of the ICT Unit's administration, the UNESP Rectorate, and FAPESP. These efforts have led to the establishment of a facility that complies with the standards of the National Council for the Control of Animal Experimentation (CONCEA), as well as in the approval of the Institutional Accreditation for Activities Involving Animals in Teaching or Research, granted by CIUCA. All activities within the animal facility are overseen by the ICT/UNESP Animal Ethics Committee (CEUA) and are supported by the Institutional Training Program for Animal Facility Users, offered by UNESP to the entire academic community. Nevertheless, there remain infrastructure needs aimed at improving animal welfare, biosafety conditions for animals, users, and staff, as well as the overall quality of the research conducted. Accordingly, this project requests funding for minor renovations and standardizations, including the revitalization of the roof and surrounding external areas, reconfiguration of the electrical system and installation of a backup generator, completion of the locker room and installation of a decontamination shower, installation of facial recognition locks and internal surveillance cameras for access control, modernization of the air exhaust system, installation of a climate control system, installation of mosquito screens on all windows, and the placement of protective guards along the facility walls. Furthermore, the acquisition of equipment is requested, including mini-isolators for rats and mice, environmental enrichment devices for rodents, smooth-floor cages for rabbits, a large-capacity autoclave, an incubator, a euthanasia chamber, inhalation anesthesia equipment, a computer for facility management, and gas cylinders. This restructuring is expected to generate a substantial scientific and societal impact. Improvements in animal welfare and biosafety conditions will result in more refined, controlled, and reliable experimental outcomes, leading to a reduction in the number of animals required for each study, in accordance with the 3Rs principles. In addition, the research conducted will provide results with greater predictability for human clinical trials. Additionally, the project will contribute to the training of highly qualified professionals (students at all academic levels from undergraduate to postdoctoral) will have the opportunity to work with modern equipment under optimal research conditions. Finally, the facility will become even more attractive for collaborations with other institutions and private companies, thereby strengthening its role as a multi-user research center. (AU)