The application's long term objectives is to improve the quality, efficiency, and scope of laboratory animal care at Cornell University Medical College (CUMC). The annual budget for CUMC for animal related research is over $13,000,000 with over 100 funded projects. The major goal of this proposal is to protect and enhance this investment. Clinically related studies are conducted on stroke, shock traumatic injury, glaucoma cataract, plastic surgery, magnetic resonance imaging, urology, fetal pharmacology, leishmaniasis, toxic shock and many others. Basic biomedical research is conducted in a broad array of disciplines including: biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, animal care, thus facilitating future research, will be accomplished in three phases, the first of which is already underway. We describe all phases in order to show our long-term plan and to convey the interrelatedness of the three phases. Phase I involves the replacement of aged and obsolete cage washing equipment and the consolidation of two caging washing facilities in one location resulting in more efficient use of manpower and space. Completion of Phase I allows the initiation of Phase II in space formerly occupied by a rack washer. Phase III involves (1) a variety of projects in eight animal rooms which are part of our long range plan to consolidate, upgrade and improve the flexibility of the animal facility (2) the installation of a electronically operated room access control system to improve the security of the animals, (3) the replacement of obsolete caging equipment and (4) improving the quality of our anesthetic, surgical and postoperative care program. Phase II involves the development of a modern animal quarantine/isolation facility. This is important because animals carrying infectious agents detrimental to other research are needed for some research projects. The completion of phase II will greatly increase our capability to prevent the spread of disease.
