Animal Models & In Vivo Research
Energy Balance Metabolic Core
The BIDMC Metabolic Core exists to provide BIDMC, Harvard Medical School and area scientific community with access to cutting-edge resources for the measurement and analysis of metabolism in mice. The Core provides an extensive and growing variety of services to measure a range of metabolic parameters in mice, including: oxygen consumption (VO2); carbon dioxide production (VCO2); respiratory exchange ratios (RER); food consumption; locomotor activity levels; core body temperature and heart rate; body composition; heat lost due to thermal radiation; and food metabolism efficiency.
The BIDMC Metabolic Core is supported by the Harvard Digestive Diseases Center (HDDC), an NIH-funded Center that serves a broad community of scientists conducting basic and translational research relevant to the gastrointestinal tract. Within the HDDC, the BIDMC Metabolic Core forms the Metabolic Unit within HDDC Core D: Gnotobiotic Mice, Microbiology and Metagenomics.
For more information, please check out our website.
Director: Alex Banks, PhD
Phone: (617) 735-3268
Email
Preclinical Murine Pharmacogenetics Core
One of BIDMC’s newest Research Cores, the Preclinical Murine Pharmacogenetics Core (or Mouse Hospital as it is known) provides investigators with access to expertise in the design and implementation of preclinical trials to test new drugs, drug combinations and therapeutic modalities in a variety of models including standard xenograft, PDX and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMS) of human diseases. The Core offers the following services: Design and implementation of in vivo and in vitro assays to validate target specificity; collection of preclinical toxicity data for new agents or combinations of agents in GEMS; acquisition of preclinical efficacy evidences for novel drugs or drug combinations allowing for evaluation and documentation of therapeutic potential in GEMS; and facilitation in reaching the appropriate in vivo imaging facility when the efficacy of a treatment can be monitored by imaging analysis (such as micro-MRI, micro-PET, etc.).
For more information, please check out our website.
Director: John (Seán) Clohessy, PhD
Phone: (617) 735-2147
Email
Transgenic Core
The BIDMC Transgenic Core is a state-of-the-artfacility that produces genetically altered transgenic mice and related services to the BIDMC research community. The Core’s basic services include DNA injections; CRISPR injections; embryonic stem cell injections; embryo freezing; line import via cryopreserved sperm or embryos or line rescue via IVF.
For more information, please check out our website.
Director: Joel Lawitts, PhD
Phone: (617) 632-0264
Email
Scientific Advisor: Brad Lowell, MD, PhD
Phone: (617) 735-3366
Email
Zebrafish Research Core
The BIDMC Zebrafish Core Facility, built by Pentair Aquatic Habitats, offers wild-type lines that are maintained in house for shared use, wet lab space for breeding and line maintenance, dedicated procedure room for embryo manipulation, and a full-time manager available for assistance with training and questions. Assistance with Zebrafish protocol planning and preparation is also available.
For more information, please check out our website.
Director: Denise Glass
Phone:
Email
Coordinator: Tyler Mourey
Phone: (617) 667-0603
Email