The in vivo Research Facility (ivRF) of the CECAD Research Center includes a large cutting-edge facility and a Transgenic Core Unit (TCU). Together with the Head of the ivRF, Prof. Dr. Branko Zevnik, the management team is responsible for the unit’s quality controlled and legally-guaranteed functioning.

Services: The CECAD ivRF offers a range of services. Dr. Ylva Illing, Deputy Head and Scientific Manager of the CECAD ivRF can be contacted for scientific consultation on various matters including guidance on colony management utilizing the ivRF database, protocols, scientific and operational issues, as well as experimentation. Furthermore, she is responsible for the import and export of models and biological material also offers guidance on welfare, legal requirements and health monitoring.

There are two primary divisions in the ivRF of CECAD. The housing facility, run by Paul Friedemann Pohlig, gives CECAD research groups the opportunity to confirm their findings in approved, strictly controlled studies. Continuous training of qualified housing staff ensures a thorough service that includes both professional care and on-site assistance.

The TCU, run by Dr. Simon Tröder, is the second division. This unit serves as an experimental platform for developing models using cutting-edge technology, such as CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing. More than 200 models have been generated for the scientific community to date, owing to their scientists' and technicians' expertise in transgenic technologies. The unit also provides laboratory services for assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization and cryopreservation of sperm and embryos.

Research: Biomedical research relies strongly on disease models that accurately reproduce human genetics. Prof. Dr. Branko Zevnik and Dr. Simon Tröder study transgenic and assisted reproductive technologies for the creation and colony management of such models. They have published advanced methods like SEcuRe and EEZy for enhanced in vitro fertilization with cryopreserved sperm and delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing reagents to zygotes by electroporation, respectively. Particularly the latter approach has been well-cited and adapted in the field.

This ivRF user portal (ivRF intranet) offers comprehensive information on their services as well as the ability to download all related documents. The facility’s goal is to provide enhanced transgenic and assisted reproductive technologies to the scientific community while consistently taking the 3Rs into account.