The Animal House Project refers to the development and operation of a specialized facility designed for the breeding, housing, and care of laboratory animals used in biomedical research and education. Such facilities are essential for conducting preclinical trials, toxicology studies, and biomedical research in accordance with national and international ethical standards.

Objectives

• To support scientific research by providing a controlled environment for laboratory animals.
• To ensure ethical and humane treatment of animals in accordance with CPCSEA (Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals) guidelines.
• To enable researchers to conduct studies on disease models, pharmacology, toxicology, and medical device testing.

Key Features

• Species-Specific Housing: Separate enclosures for different species to prevent cross-infection.
• Environmental Control: Regulated temperature, humidity, and lighting (typically 12:12 hour light-dark cycle).
• Ventilation: 100% fresh air exchange with HEPA filtration to maintain pathogen-free conditions.
• Quarantine and Health Monitoring: Facilities for the quarantine of new animals and regular health checks to ensure animal welfare.
• Biosecurity Measures: Restricted access, rodent- and pest-proof infrastructure, and proper waste disposal systems.
• Support Facilities: Including procedure rooms, surgery suites, washing and sterilization units, and feed storage areas.

Applications

• Drug discovery and development.
• Vaccine and medical device testing.
• Genetic and disease model studies.
• Biomedical research and education.

Institutional Benefits

• Facilitates in-house animal experimentation, reducing dependency on external resources.
• Enhances research output and publication quality.
• Supports interdisciplinary research and collaboration.