Gnotobiotic Experimentation
Gnotobiotic mice and experiments are powerful tools for the study of microbiota-host interactions. Creative Biolabs provides high-quality experiment design services that are practical and efficient in the gnotobiotic setting and meet your research needs.
Gnotobiotics is the science of well-controlled microbial environments within and for biological specimens. Gnotobiotic animals include both germ-free (GF) animals and animals colonized with defined microbiota. The gnotobiotic experiment offers considerable potential as a tool in the study of host-microbial relationships because
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It portrays the host either when free from germs and left to its resources or when modified by known microbial or other associates.
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It permits the study of Interflora relationships within the host organism.
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It represents a unique tool to reduce the complexity of the intestinal microbiome sufficiently to perform mechanistic studies.
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It may be used in the study of any external or endogenous factor.
Gnotobiotic Animal Models
There are several gnotobiotics models:
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Concept
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Definition
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Applications
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Germ-free
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Germ-free animals lack all known organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites) except for endogenous retroviruses.
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Germ-free animals are considered the gold standard as reliable and reproducible tools for microbiota-association studies and as founders for gnotobiotic or standardized colonies or study cohorts.
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Mono-colonized
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Animals harbor just one organism.
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To study the function and effects of a particular organism.
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Bi-colonized
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Animals harbor just two organisms.
The concept may be expanded to tri- colonized, tetra- colonized, and so on.
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To study synergy, interaction, and adaptation between two organisms and the host.
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Simplified microbiota-associated
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Animals harbor a limited number of known organisms. Such limited consortia typically consist of 5-15 species.
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For a tractable, time stable, and reproducible model system to study, for example:
spatial structure of microbiota, microbiota interactions.
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Our Capabilities
The generation and maintenance of gnotobiotic animals should be performed in a germ-free and gnotobiotic facility to guarantee sterility and precision of gnotobiotic conditions. Isolators and housing systems such as static sterile cages are used for breeding and experiments with gnotobiotic animals. The handling of animals is performed in a Class II biosafety cabinet. Our well-trained staff is always required to execute strict adherence to operating procedures. We carry out microbiological monitoring for gnotobiotic experiments and gnotobiotic facilities to guarantee projects succeed. We provide one-stop gnotobiotic animal construction services including bacterial preparation, isolation, administration to animals, and evaluation of colonization success in animals.
Services We Offer Including But Not Limited To:
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Colonization of other manipulations (serial gavages, injections, etc.)
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Animal surgery operating
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Custom microbiological cleaning for germ-free and gnotobiotic mice
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Monitor germ-free and gnotobiotic mice
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Maintenance, storage, and supply of gnotobiotic mice
Based on the germ-free/gnotobiotic animal rearing and management techniques, we carry out experiments requiring germ-free and gnotobiotic animals. All experiments are performed with standard gnotobiotic procedures and protocols, including the use of sterile isolators, sterile transfer cages, sterilization cylinders, as well as handling and maintenance. We also provide consultation, education, and training on germ-free/gnotobiotic animal-related techniques. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your specific needs.
For Research Use Only | Not For Clinical Use
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