Animal Research Facility

The UNM HSC maintains a 23,000 sq.ft. animal research facility (ARF). The ARF is located on the contiguous ground floor of the Basic Biomedical Sciences Building (BMSB) and the Biomedical Research Facility (BRF). The ARF is maintained as a specific pathogen free (SPF) facility essential for current, state of the science research, and contains specialized barrier facilities for breeding large numbers of genetically modified and inbred mice. The ARF also provides technical and veterinary support for all educational and research projects utilizing laboratory animals. The ARF encompasses animal housing areas and special use areas such as treatment rooms, procedural laboratories, a radiobiology area, a large (approx. 1800 sq.ft.) biohazardous agent area (BSL II & III), surgical suites and the genetically-modified mouse breeding barrier facility. Animal care is provided by a staff of six certified laboratory animal technicians.

The ARF is registered as a research facility with the USDA and has a Letter of Assurance on file with PHS /OLAW (Assurance No.0355-1). It is fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC-AAALAC Accreditation Unit File No. .000222).