Environment Monitoring

The environment of the mice must be standardised to minimise experimental variability

Facility Environment

All animal holding areas are maintained within a constant temperature and humidity range to avoid animal stress and to minimise experiment variability. Lighting in animal rooms ensures 12 hours' light and 12 hours' darkness with a dawn / dusk simulation.

Environmental conditions are monitored 24 hours a day by a Building Maintenance System (BMS). The BMS is able to pinpoint equipment failure and optimise functional efficiency.

Feed, Bedding and Water Quality

The provision of sterile water, feed and bedding is critical to maintaining the disease-free status of mice in the facility.

Feed is gamma irradiated and the external surface of the feedbag is disinfected via hydrogen peroxide fumigation. Bedding is sterilised at 121°C for 15 minutes in steam sterilisers (autoclaves).

Water is treated by a Millipore system that removes impurities. The water is then treated by UV light and acidified to a pH of 2.8.

The treatment of feed, bedding and water is monitored regularly to ensure quality.