The Small Animal Models Laboratory of the Center for Translational Medicine is an integral part
of a modern research facility specializing in the maintenance
and advanced research on small animal models such as mice, rats, and guinea pigs.
The facility has been designed to provide
optimal environmental conditions that meet the highest global standards
of scientific quality, animal welfare, and biomedical research ethics.

The Laboratory addresses the growing demand in the field of translational and preclinical research,
enabling the implementation of innovative and application-oriented scientific projects.
It plays a key role in the development of new therapies,
biomaterials, medical technologies, and pharmaceuticals through studies performed
on carefully selected biological models, fully compliant with the 3Rs principle
(Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).

Thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, high management standards, and a team of experienced specialists,
the Small Animal Models Laboratory ensures safe,
ethical, and effective experimental procedures,
creating a vital link between basic research and its clinical application.

In February 2023, the Laboratory was awarded full accreditation by AAALAC International
(Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International),
confirming compliance with stringent animal welfare requirements,
international research standards, and high-quality
scientific output.

Infrastructure and Animal Housing Conditions
The Small Animal Models Laboratory includes specialized rooms
designed for housing and conducting research on small laboratory animals,
such as mice, rats, and guinea pigs.
The facility is adapted for maintaining animals and performing experiments in physiology,
nutrition, neurology, orthopedics, experimental surgery, and translational research,
including toxicological and pharmacological studies.
Each room is designed to meet the species-specific needs of the animals,
ensuring optimal welfare conditions.
The laboratory is equipped with certified cages, environmental enrichment elements, and climate chambers
that allow precise management of living conditions.
Additional resources include inhalation anesthesia systems, surgical tables, two-photon microscopy,
luminescence chambers, and X-ray imaging.

Environmental parameters — including temperature, humidity, and light cycles — are continuously
monitored and automatically regulated by an integrated Room Management System (RMS).
This ensures reproducible housing and experimental conditions,
which are essential for generating reliable scientific results.

Any deviations are immediately detected by an alarm system,
enabling rapid intervention.

The Laboratory also features a CO₂ chamber for humane euthanasia, an automatic cage washer, and a bedding exchange station, ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and biosecurity.
Animals are kept in high-quality environments,
and their welfare is constantly monitored by
qualified personnel.

The key infrastructure of the Small Animal Models Laboratory includes:
wchodzą:
4 climate chambers for housing mice, rats, and guinea pigs
(climate-controlled units, certified cages, enrichment elements),
CO₂ chamber for humane euthanasia,
Inhalation anesthesia device for rodents,
Surgical tables adapted for small models,
Bruker imaging chamber (X-ray and luminescence),
Integrated RMS monitoring and management system,
Automatic cage washer,
Bedding exchange station.

Personnel and Animal Care
Animal care at the Small Animal Models Laboratory is provided by
a qualified team of veterinarians with extensive clinical and research experience,
veterinary technicians, and laboratory animal caretakers.
All personnel are properly trained and certified
to work with laboratory animals, in accordance with the Polish Act of January 15, 2015,
on the protection of animals used for scientific or educational purposes.
The animals receive continuous veterinary care,
including clinical observation during acclimatization,
routine health monitoring during experiments, and medical support during post-procedural recovery.
Caretakers assess the animals' condition on an ongoing basis
and respond promptly to any signs of stress, pain,
or compromised welfare through corrective measures.

All research procedures are conducted following the 3Rs principle
and in strict compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Special attention is given to minimizing environmental and handling stress.
Animals are kept in socially compatible groups
with access to enrichment materials unless excluded
by the experimental protocol.
This approach reduces stress and intra-group aggression.
The staff has in-depth knowledge of the physiology and behavior of mice,
rats, and guinea pigs, and they are trained to detect
and promptly address any abnormalities.
Interventions are coordinated with project leaders and veterinarians to ensure proper care.
The Center for Translational Medicine’s Animal Welfare Body oversees
as required by Article 25 of the Act.
This team monitors research, reviews protocols,
and supports scientists in implementing
best experimental practices while ensuring the highest level of animal welfare.
The facility holds official authorization from the District Veterinary Officer
to conduct research on animals.
Furthermore, it offers comprehensive support in preparing project documentation
and ethical approval applications,
facilitating compliance with current legal and scientific standards.

Research Capabilities and Collaboration
The Small Animal Models Laboratory offers extensive opportunities
for collaboration in scientific, development,
and preclinical projects. The facility provides full support for academic institutions, research organizations,
and the biomedical industry, including:
Maintenance of small animal models (mice, rats, guinea pigs)
in strictly controlled environments with comprehensive veterinary care
and post-operative recovery support,
Development of human disease models,
including metabolic (e.g. diabetes), neurological, oncological, inflammatory,
and immunological conditions, using standardized and customized animal models,
Conducting toxicological, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety and efficacy studies
of new biologically active substances
and drug candidates,
Research on tissue regeneration, wound healing, biomaterial integration, and immune response
analysis under
controlled conditions,

• Development of experimental models tailored to the project's requirements,
considering species, sex, age, strain, and other biological features,
• Supervision of animal welfare and maintenance
of quality control documentation in accordance
with applicable laws and the 3Rs principle,
• Support in preparing documentation for animal research protocols
and submissions to
the Local Ethical Committee.

The Laboratory also integrates seamlessly with the Center for Translational Medicine’s broader
infrastructure, including the Imaging Unit (X-ray, luminescence, two-photon microscopy),
surgical facilities, and the Histology,
Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Cytometry Laboratories.
This comprehensive approach enables the execution of complex research projects —
from model development to final data analysis and publication.

Inquiries and collaboration proposals should be directed to:
Animal Research Coordinator
Prof. Romuald Zabielski, DVM, PhD romuald_zabielski@sggw.edu.pl
• CMT Secretariat:
cmt@sggw.edu.pl; tel: +48 22 593 38 40