Core Facility Experimental Animal Center
The Core Facility Experimental Animal Center (CF EAC), recognized by Ghent University, brings together infrastructure, expertise, and regulatory bodies to conduct animal experiments (including infection studies) in an ethically responsible and scientifically sound manner, in compliance with applicable biosafety standards.
The CF EAC offers facilities suitable for housing a wide range of animal species for fundamental and (pre)clinical in vivo studies. It also integrates expertise from specialized laboratories and leading veterinary clinics. These services are available to both UGent and external researchers.
Infrastructure
The CF EACoffering consists of facilities suitable for housing experimental animals and conducting (infection) experiments at containment levels A2 and A3 (box-in-box).
The facilities include, among others, the following installations and equipment:
- Effluent decontamination system
- Autoclave
- Autopsy room with hoist and table
- Cold storage room
- Decontamination equipment
In addition, the CF EAC offers access to the following equipment and materials:
- Feeders, mats, heat lamps
- Restraint devices
- Enrichment materials
- Conventional housing (cages, pens, containers, aquaria, flat-decks, etc.)
- Contained housing: IVC, filter tops, isolators
Services
- Animal housing
- Maintenance of animal rooms
- Cleaning and disinfection of animal facilities
- Storage facilities (e.g. feed, materials)
- Wastewater inactivation
- Carcass processing (if required)
- Animal care and/or assistance during experiments (if required)
- Preparation of ethical dossiers and evaluation by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments
- Preparation of biosafety dossiers (if required)
Expertise
- Support in experimental design and animal models (small and large animals), in collaboration with or under supervision of experts from laboratories and animal clinics
- Tailor-made projects
Additional Services (upon request)
- Transport of animals
- Supply of laboratory animals (in compliance with animal welfare regulations)
- Use of anesthesia equipment
- Use of truck/trailer for animal transport
Terms of use
- Contact CF EAC by email to submit a request at least 8 weeks in advance. Together, we will assess the possibilities and conditions.
- Read and follow the CF EAC policy framework.
- Complete the required training and obtain the necessary authorizations.
- Use the facilities in accordance with the applicable rules.
- Pay a usage fee.
- Acknowledge CF EAC in scientific output.
Location
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FDI), Campus Merelbeke, Salisburylaan 133