Animal Models and Comparative Medicine

Advances in biomedical research often require the use of in vivo models. However, data consistency and reproducibility can only be achieved in these contexts by using high-quality standardized models, facilities, and procedures. At the CIPF, we are committed to the implementing only the highest standards of animal welfare in our facilities.

Our animal facility provides the scientists at the CIPF with animal care services and facilities of exceptional quality. This helps them to ensure that their animal research is of a high standard and allows the health, well-being, and humane treatment of the animals used in research and teaching to be guaranteed.

Every procedure involving animals is planned beforehand and is evaluated by an Ethics Committee formed by veterinarians and experts in biomedical research, animal welfare, and statistics. To ensure good planning of in vitro protocols and reduce waste and unnecessary procedures, this committee always applies the ‘3Rs’ principle of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement, as well as a fourth, overarching ‘R’: Responsibility.

Our animal facility is registered as an experimental animal Breeding, User, and Supplier Center (reg. no. ES 46 250 0001 002) under current applicable Spanish regulations (RD 53/2013).

  • A 770 m2 ‘Specific Pathogen Free’ (SPF) area for rodents with a capacity for 20,000 animals. Animals are housed in ventilated racks in rooms with filtered air and laminar flow cabinets for working. All the material that enters the facility is disinfected or sterilized by autoclaves or by other suitable means and there is a safety access system (SAS).

 The SPF area is divided into:

      • A breeding area for immunocompromised and immunocompetent rodents.
      • An experimental area for immunocompromised and immunocompetent rodents. This area has behavior rooms, operating theaters with laminar flow cabinets, specific working rooms for different immunological conditions, and an IVIS® Spectrum in vivo imaging system for imaging and monitoring live animals.
  • Conventional facilities for rodents: 200 m2 of facilities equipped with microisolators and ventilated racks, surgery theaters, and rooms for behavioral studies.
  • Rodent necropsy area: with large laboratory benches and laminar flow cabinets.
  • Surgery theaters and large mammals facility: This 770 m2 facility allows for the maintenance and care of different mammalian species, from rabbits to pigs, as well as their use and monitoring during experimental procedures. Moreover, our surgical theaters can be used for training to allow professionals to acquire technical skills through intensive education courses. These facilities include: 
    • Rooms for the breeding and care of pigs, sheep, or rabbits.
    • AGFA portable X-Ray equipment.
    • Two KARL STORZ OR1™ operating rooms, with two surgery posts in each one. These are equipped with Draeger anesthetic and monitoring machines and Storz endoscopic equipment. It is also possible to store and send data and images directly from these theaters.
    • Autoclaves, full safety access system (SAS), cleaning area, etc.
  • Provide researchers with a modern and efficient animal facility.
  • Maintenance of the highest standards of animal health and welfare, providing state-of-the-art housing and care conditions.
  • Expert advice and consulting for the design of experimental procedures, selection of animal models, surgical techniques, etc.
  • Provision of support for experimental procedures.
  • Regulatory compliance.
  • Training in animal handling, experimental procedures, basic animal biology, etc.
  • Outstanding surgical theaters for training and for carrying out experimental surgery.

The Foundation Prince Felipe Research Center has an Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation (EAEC), responsible for the welfare of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes, including teaching.

This committee performs the functions assigned by Real Decree 53/2013, of February 1.

The competent authority has authorized this Committee to evaluate projects of animal experimentation.

Contact us to find out more about our animal facilities:

    animalario@cipf.es

    963289680 ext. 4305 / 4003