The Animal Experimentation Unit is intended for the breeding and maintenance of animals to be used in experimental procedures by researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences of the URV, and researchers from the IISPV. The facilities have an area of 452 m2 and are located in the third floor of the Technological Center for Nutrition and Health.
It has been designed and built according to the regulations established by the Generalitat de Catalunya in Decree 214/97, of 20 July, and is registered with the Department of the Environment under no. T9900003.
Dra. Celeste Di Paolo
Degree in Biochemistry, PhD from Rovira i Virgili University and member of the URV / IISPV Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation. He has been in charge of the Animal Experimentation Unit since 2015.
The Animal Experimentation Unit is equipped with the appropriate facilities to offer:
The facilities can be used by all research staff duly accredited by the Generalitat de Catalunya and linked to research procedures with experimental animals from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences or the Sant Joan de Reus and Joan university hospitals. XXIII of Tarragona.
Learn how to get accreditation for handling experimental animals.
The Unit has two areas, adapted for the stable and work of animals under conventional conditions and in an environment free of specific pathogens (Specific Pathogen Free, SPF). This system guarantees an optimal sanitary level, preventing exposure to pathogenic agents that could compromise the experimental results.
The SPF certification is essential for research that requires special stability, representativeness and high quality in the results, such as immunology studies, the development of drugs, vaccines and other areas that require the use of immunosuppressed animals. On the other hand, the facility allows the generation of new genetically modified rat and mouse models in different genetic backgrounds through in vitro fertilization (IVF) as well as the cryopreservation of the strains (sperm or embryos). The use of these techniques allows refining breeding practices, increasing the quality and efficiency of the procedures, while guaranteeing a significant reduction in the use of animals, in accordance with the ethical principles of the 3Rs (refinement, reduction and replacement).
In the facilities there are seven independent stabling areas where different species of animals (small rodents) can be housed; five of them in the conventional space and two in the SPF space with a self-ventilated rack in the case of immunosuppressed animals. In addition, each space has warning systems for malfunctions or breakdowns that are connected to personnel available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to guarantee a response to a possible incident. The SPF area also has 4 sterile access systems: ultraviolet, autoclave and peroxide and sterile air shower for staff.
The stable also has six experimentation rooms:
– Four operating rooms (rat and mouse in the conventional space and immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice in the SPF) equipped with laminar flow cabins and class II biological safety.
– A multipurpose room with CO2 line and extraction cabin.
– A laboratory equipped to carry out behavioral tests (aquatic labyrinth, cages for five choices tests, cameras for detecting and recording animal movement, etc.), metabolic cages and equipment for evaluating motor activity, as well as a washing area and a warehouse.
Veterinarian and wellness consultant: Hernán Serna
Responsible: Celeste Di Paolo
Veterinary IISPV link: Mª del Mar Rodríguez Peña
Caregivers: Esperança Chernichero i Juan València
Center for R+D+I in Nutrition and Health
3rd floor
Av. de la Universitat, 1
43204 Reus
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Contact: celestegisela.dipaolo@urv.cat
Contact IISPV: mar.rodriguez@iispv.cat
The Cell Culture Platform is a technical and scientific support unit that offers support to research groups, both internal and external to the IISPV, providing them with the appropriate facilities and equipment for the cultivation, maintenance and execution of bioassays with eukaryotic cells.
The Statistical Support Platform is a cross-cutting platform for statistical support to researchers that offers a support and advice service in all phases of the development of a research project: methodology, design, analysis and publication.
The Clinical Pharmacy Department is a central clinical support service with its own activities and support for the other healthcare services of the ICS Camp de Tarragona.
Bioinformatics service available to all IISPV professionals.
The Cell Culture Platform is a technical and scientific support unit that offers support to research groups, both internal and external to the IISPV, providing them with the appropriate facilities and equipment for the cultivation, maintenance and execution of bioassays with eukaryotic cells.
The Statistical Support Platform is a cross-cutting platform for statistical support to researchers that offers a support and advice service in all phases of the development of a research project: methodology, design, analysis and publication.
The Clinical Pharmacy Department is a central clinical support service with its own activities and support for the other healthcare services of the ICS Camp de Tarragona.
Bioinformatics service available to all IISPV professionals.
