The Research Animal Support Facility (RASF) has been a shared resource since the original CCSG wasawarded in 1975 and exists to support ongoing clinical and basic cancer research involving laboratoryanimals at MDACC. The RASF has components located in Houston at MDACC (2 campuses), and inSmithville in the Department of Carcinogenesis. All animal facilities are accredited by the Association for theAssessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, have Animal Welfare Assuranceapproval (A3343-01), and are registered as research animal facilities with the United States Department ofAgriculture (USDA) (74-R-065). The Research Animal Support Facility Houston (RASFH) is directed byPeggy T. Tinkey, D.V.M. The RASFH encompasses approximately 99,089 sq. ft. of space and provideshousing, procedure space, veterinary care, and quality assurance programs for animals used in cancerresearch. Clinical, surgical, imaging, radiation therapy, and pathology laboratory facilities and services areprovided. Existing technical services have been extended to the South Campus facility, and new servicesadded since the last CCSG renewal include computerized animal pedigree and medical history applications,preclinical toxicology services, and increased transportation services. New equipment includes automatedmulti-species hematology and chemistry analyzers, patient monitoring systems, automated beddingdispensing systems and waste containers, cargo van, and 100 ventilated rodent rack/cage systems. TheRASFH has 122 personnel, which includes 11 veterinarians, 2 associate directors, 1 administrator, 2 sectionmanagers, 1 project manager, 10 laboratory personnel, 77 animal care personnel, and 17 clerical/supportstaff. Dr. Tinkey coordinates the daily operations of the RASFH. Five faculty veterinarians direct the 5service sections that provide facilities, equipment, and services to research animal users. Funding for theRASFH is currently provided by the CCSG (6%), user fees (39%), institutional support (53%) and other funds(2%). In the past 5 years, the RASFH has been used by 319 investigators supporting 20 different CCSGprograms. Peer-reviewed investigators represent 92% of the RASFH user utilization. The majority ofanimals used are genetically engineered mice. In the past 5 years, the daily average cage counts increased52%, from 13,243 cages in 2002-03 to 20,132 cages of animals in 2006-07. Future plans include renovationand expansion of the South Campus animal facility, and upgrading and implementing computer applicationsfor business operations and preclinical drug development. Additionally, RASF-Houston and Smithville havejointly submitted a startup proposal to develop a Mutant Mouse Pathology Service to serve all MDACCinvestigators.
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