Impression from animal husbandry
© HZI/Verena Meier
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Core Facility of Comparative Medicine

HZI Campus

To be able to investigate diseases, understand the relationships between pathogens and their host and to develop novel strategies against pathogens, the scientists at the HZI depend on experiments that involve the use of laboratory animals. For this purpose, the HZI operates a central animal facility on campus. The primary task of this service unit is the breeding and keeping of laboratory mice as well as provision of services for the scientists of the HZI, centered around laboratory animal science.

Dr Marina Greweling-Pils

Head

Dr Marina Greweling-Pils
Head of Research Group
+49 531 6181-3800

Our Research

Outside view of the HZI animal facility
© HZI/Verena Meier
Awarded by the jury of architects: The animal house of the HZI

The HZI technology platform „Core Facility of Comparative Medicine” is responsible for the humane treatment and orderly care of laboratory animals required for scientific research purposes. We enable the HZI scientists to perform infection experiments on mice and hamsters up to biosafety level S3.

In our units, we house the animals under continuously monitored, standardized conditions (temperature, humidity, light cycle) in individually ventilated cages (IVC). Therefore, we can exclude unwanted infections by external pathogens. The barriers are strictly separated against the environment and are ventilated with sterile filtered air. All necessary material has to be sterilized; electronically controlled access is restricted to admitted personal only, complete change of clothes is necessary.

These hygienic measures not only keep our animals healthy – we can also ensure that no pathogens will leave our experimental barriers. This includes sterilization of all used materials (e.g. used bedding or food rests) before leaving the unit. 

Animal husbandry and animal experiments are regulated by strict legal provisions, e.g. the German Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz) , the Animal Welfare Regulation (Tierschutz-Versuchstierverordnung) and the Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The animal facility management is supported by the Animal Welfare Officer and the Animal Welfare Committee.

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Further Information

"Tierversuche Verstehen" (Understanding Animal Experiments) is an initiative of the German scientific community, coordinated by the Alliance of Science Organizations. It provides comprehensive, up-to-date and fact-based information about animal experiments at publicly funded research institutions.