The Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center
at the Yale University School of Medicine

Animal Core

	Dr. James D. Macy, Director, Animal Core

The In Vitro Metabolism Core is directed by Dr. James D. Macy (Associate Professor of Comparative Medicine). The Animal Core provides state-of-the-art husbandry, health care and procedure space for assessing mice submitted to the Phenotyping Center. Precise phenotyping depends significantly on the quality of animal subjects. Stable housing and husbandry mininizes the influence of exogenous factors that could distort phenotyping results. This concept is especially germane to genetically altered mice, which may express phenotypic changes beyond those associated with the gene(s) of interest.

Additionally, mice submitted to the Center will share space with cohorts from microbiologically diverse sources. They, as well as mice housed in resident Yale colonies, must be protected against potential cross-infection by adventititious agents. Center investigators also must have ready access to the mice soon after they arrive: ie while they are in quarantine.

The Core provides facilities and services relevant to these priorities under the following specific aims:

1. To provide stable, biocontainment housing, husbandry and health care for mice submitted to the Center, through the Yale Animal Resources Center (YARC).
2. To provide a dedicated room for housing and on-site phenotyping procedures. This arrangement will facilitate access to mice in quarantine, prevent cross-infection, reduce the need for transport to laboratories and reduce risks for inadvertent infection of other Yale colonies.
3. To determine the microbiological profile of each cohort and provide the Center Director with interpretation and advice about the results.
4. To perform morphological phenotyping as requested by the Center Director. This service will provide morphological correlates relevant to phenotyping or confirm the status and potential impact of intercurrent infection which may interfere with phenotyping.
5. To provide to Center clients, at the discretion of the Center Director, results and advice on the health status of submitted mice.