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UNC Lineberger

Complete Study Management

The PRU offers a wide range of research services. We can comprehensively manage your in-vivo studies or provide technique assistance on an ad-hoc basis.

While oncology research is our primary focus, we also consistently provide complete study management for a wide variety of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and immunological studies.  Complete study management includes but is not limited to:

  • Study Setup for data collection, timing of injections and other procedures
  • Animal Preparation (identification, shaving of injection site)
  • Cell injection
  • Tumor measurements & weights at specified intervals
  • Food & Water management
  • Randomization into treatment groups
  • Drug administration at specified intervals
  • Imaging and imaging analysis as requested
  • Harvests at study endpoints or as required due to health conditions
  • IACUC and DCM compliance management

 

General Guidelines:

At study initiation, the PRU will request a study template from the lab which should detail all relevant study information including:

  • Contact information of PI and person requesting service
  • Strain of mice, sex, location and number of mice in study
  • Cell line name, injection location, volume to be administered
  • Imaging details
  • Monitoring schedule requirements that deviate from our standard
  • Treatment information: start date or tumor volume, drug name, route, volume, number of mice, frequency given, PK study time points
  • Harvest information including what samples to collect and how you want them stored (flash frozen, in PBS on ice, formalin)

All study plans, collected data and time point information is provided in a SharePoint folder retained for your lab.  Data is provided on the same schedule as study measurements are taken to provide up to date information allow the monitoring of trends from beginning to end.

The skill and quality control provided by the trained staff of the Animal Studies Core allows utility and reproducibility of investigators studies involving the use of laboratory animals. This helps to prevent duplication of studies due to human error and the learning curve that is evident with new technicians. The skill level of technicians within the PRU prevents unnecessary distress for animals under our care.