BRC Modernization of Sterilizing Equipment - Abstract This proposal is to modernize the C.W. Steers Biological Resources Center (BRC) to meet its growing sterilizing needs by purchasing a new efficient sterilizer with a water conservation vacuum system. This autoclave will increase reliable sterilization of animal- and biomedical-related research tools/materials. In November of 2020, the Preclinical Research Center (PRC) was opened for the housing of rodents at the BRC. Its modern design increased the Lundquist Institute’s rodent housing capacity from 1,000 mice cages to 6,000 (with space for 1,000 cages dedicated for genetically modified immunosuppressed rodents). As the pandemic slowed, research ramped; in the last six months, cages in use grew from 400 to 1,000. Additional projected growth is expected: grant awards with upcoming start dates will more than double the current population cage use to 2,500 within the year. With this growth, the demand for autoclaved cages to provide appropriate housing for susceptible animals has also increased. Autoclaves are indispensable in animal research for preventing disease from spreading within the rodents. Two areas of research will be supported by a new modernized efficient autoclave: (1) The infectious disease department, whose studies require sterile caging at all times (30,848 rodents); and (2) Studies requiring other immunosuppressed rodents (16,694), such as transgenic mice used for studies focused on chronic diseases (cancer, diabetes, Mucopolysaccharidosis Type III, etc.). Immunosuppressed mice used for chronic diseases studies are kept in the Immunosuppressed Housing Area, which grew from one room with capacity for 100 cages to two rooms with capacity for 1,000 cages with the move to PRC. While the BRC’s current autoclave (2000 Steris AMSCO Eagle SV-3043 scientific prevacuum sterilizer is well-maintained, it is being used at capacity. Due to the increase in the number of cages needing sterilization at one time, an additional autoclave is needed to triple the BRC’s capacity to sterilize cages with a faster cycle of 45-60 minutes. Therefore, our request is to fund the purchase of a new efficient sterilizer with a water conservation vacuum system to allow for reliable sterilization to meet the new and growing needs of infectious disease and immunosuppressed rodent studies, ensuring efficient workflows for both in-house and CRO-contracted investigators. This purchase will supplement the capacity of the current older autoclave by tripling the number of daily loads from two to six. The purchase of the state-of- the-art autoclave will allow for the following aims: Aim 1: Support high-quality animal research in the areas of infectious and chronic disease. Aim 2: Modernize the facility by enabling advancement in operations and improving efficiencies. Aim 3: Implement green technology.
