Barrier Unit

The research conducted by Institute scientists falls into three broad categories.

The first does not require living tissue, for example computer modelling or molecular analysis. The second uses the culture of tissues or cells. Finally, living animals are used when it is essential to study biological responses that cannot be reproduced in tissue culture, particularly in genetic models in laboratory mice and rats which can reveal underlying molecular mechanisms at the cellular level and their overall impact in terms of dysfunction and disease.

All our research with animals is strictly regulated by Home Office Inspectors, who licence every person who works with the animals and each type of experiment to be done; they make frequent unannounced visits. The experimental care given to the animals meets the highest standards of clinical care, biosecurity, animal welfare and best practice.

In 2010 the institute opened a state-of-the-art new Barrier Unit which has been designed to house our laboratory rodent strains in the very best, strictly pathogen-free, conditions and to provide a pleasant working environment for our staff. More information on why some of our research needs to use animals can be found under FAQs on our Science & Society webpages.