GNOTOBIOTIC STUDY AT THE RIKEN BRAIN SCIENCE INSTITUTE
The Riken Brain Science Institute (BSI) was established in 1997 with support from the Japanese government and with a mission to produce innovative research and technology leading to scientific discoveries of the brain. A long-time Allentown customer, BSI researchers Dr. Eiki Takahashi and Dr. Kimie Niimi recently undertook a gnotobiotic study with support from Dr. Patrick Hardy and Brian Bilecki of Allentown’s Gnotobiotic Housing Services Team.
Over the course of one year, 117 germ-free mice were reared and bred using Allentown’s Sentry SPP sealed positive pressure IVC and accompanying Allentown gnotobiotic solutions. Multi-animal cage changes were conducted once per month, while single-housed mice cage changes were conducted every two months. The following is the result of the study as published recently in the Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research:
“In conclusion, the Sentry SPP system allowed us to rear and breed germ-free mice for 1 year without bacterial contamination.”
Click To Read The Published Paper
Interview with Dr. Takahashi and Dr. Niimi, Riken BSI
Dr. Eiki Takahashi and Dr. Kimie Niimi of the Riken Brain Science Institute recently undertook a gnotobiotic study with support from Dr. Patrick Hardy and Brian Bilecki of Allentown’s Gnotobiotic Housing Services Team. Following is an interview they graciously agreed to provide on the topic of this study.
Allentown:
Please briefly tell us about your trial – what was the reason for conducting it, and what was the expected outcome?
Riken BSI:
We wanted to compare how much staff and labor were required when using a vinyl isolator system verses using the SPP system which can house different germ-free/Gnotobiotic animals within the same amount of floor space as an isolator. We were satisfied with the results, especially regarding the cost for the SPP system since it was equal or less than vinyl isolator system. If a contamination occurs, all of the cages in the vinyl isolator might also be contaminated, which gives significant stress to our staff. Relieving this stress is valuable, and this was very much appreciated by our staff.
Allentown:
Can you tell us the benefit of being able to use a SPP IVC rack for germ-free animal housing and breeding versus using more traditional germ-free housing equipment?
Riken BSI:
In the SPP IVC, number one, a large number of germ-free/gnotobiotic animals can be housed on the same floor space. Secondly, even if an infection accident occurs in one cage, it does not affect other cages. This also means that it makes it possible to keep multiple gnotobiotic animals in the same SPP rack. Thirdly, less aging of equipment compared to the vinyl isolator.
Allentown:
In your study you bred germ-free animals over a one-year period. To your knowledge, has that ever been accomplished before in an IVC rack?
Riken BSI:
The SPP IVC rack that we have used can house and breed SPF mice for more than one year. We have never housed germ-free mice with a conventional IVC rack for a period of more than 1 month.
Allentown:
Can you speak to the impact the SC+ Safety Cabinet with Transfer Chamber helped you and your staff maintain germ-free status for over one year?
Riken BSI:
It is important for a long-term rearing of germ-free animals to carry in goods such as feed, water and cages and to take out waste materials such as used cages without any problems such as contamination. And, aseptic cage-changes are also needed. For these purposes, the transfer chamber played an important role. We think that success in rearing of germ-free animals depends on whether the operations in the chamber are conducted adequately or not.
Allentown:
Autoclaving cage components separately can be time consuming; did you find value in using the Allentown Sani Rack to autoclave entire cage systems?
Riken BSI:
Sani-Rack was very useful. In order to house germ-free animals, it is important to sterilize equipment certainly and efficiently. Sani Rack made it possible to sterilize many cages at the same time just by setting the cages into it, which enabled us to shorten the work time considerably.
Allentown:
Please describe the experience of your staff for working with germ-free or Gnotobiotic animals.
Riken BSI:
The staff in charge had experienced maintaining germ-free mice and germ-free nude mice using vinyl isolator for about a year before being assigned to the facility.
Allentown:
Allentown has a holistic approach to supporting Germ-free and Gnotobiotics researchers. Did our team approach that includes our staff veterinarian, application engineer, and technical support staff, provide value to you and your research?
Riken BSI:
Yes. Since our trial was carried out in a barrier animal facility, it was impossible to use peracetic acid with a pungent odor which is often used as a disinfectant in conventional germ-free animal housing. Alternatively, soft acid water was used as disinfectant in our trial. However, since little is known about the soft acid water in the United States, the Allentown support team including veterinarian worked diligently to consider whether it is appropriate to use the soft acid water as a disinfectant or not.
Allentown:
Please consider the support provided by our local partners, Edstrom Japan. Do you feel that the strong relationship between Allentown and Edstrom Japan was instrumental to the outcome of your trial?
Riken BSI:
Yes. It brought some relief that we have Edstrom Japan as a consultant when we have questions about the SPP system. We reacknowledged that Allentown and Edstrom Japan had a good relationship since we received an appropriate answer from Allentown immediately.
Allentown:
Do you feel that the recommendations and guidance from Allentown on use of the SPP were helpful to Riken?
Riken BSI:
Yes. We think that we could not understand how to use the SPP and solve problems if there had not been any support from Allentown.
Allentown:
Where do you see Germ-free and Gnotobiotic research going in the future, and what will the benefits of this type of research be?
Riken BSI:
Diseases have been studied mainly on genes. However, environments including intestinal bacteria must be also involved in familial diseases. However, studies considering interactions among diseases, genes, and intestinal bacteria are inadequate. We think that researches on phenotypic analyses using gnotobiotic of transgenic animals will be actively carried out in the future. We think that the results from these studies can lead to the elucidation of unidentified causes of human disorders and establishment of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, which leads to improvement of QOL in human.
Allentown:
What, if anything, surprised you about the trial?
Riken BSI:
We were surprised with the device called SPP QDX to check whether the case is sealed correctly after the exchange of the cages. We thought this was very useful device.
Also, the aseptic operations inside the bio safety cabinet were surely conducted more than we had expected. And, the aseptic removal and installation of mouse cages from the SPP rack was not so difficult.
Allentown:
If you had the opportunity to run the trial again, what would you do differently?
Riken BSI:
We would like to try housing gnotobiotic animals next time.
Successful Gnotobiology Events!
The Gnotobiology Seminars and Users Group were a success! Allentown hosted a series of Gnotobiology and Sealed IVC Housing Seminars in Toronto and Montreal, Canada, as well as a Users Group in New Brunswick, NJ. The events were led by Dr. Patrick Hardy, DVM, DipECLAM, Exec. MBA, Director of Veterinary & Professional Services, and Brian Bilecki, BSME, Director of Vivarium Design Services. The seminars provided attendees with an introduction into Gnotobiology, covering topics of bioexclusion, Sealed Positive Pressure systems and microbiological monitoring, as well as hands on experience with Allentown’s Gnotobiotic product line.
The feedback has been extremely positive. Attendees appreciated that Dr. Hardy and Bilecki provided unbiased information. One attendee remarked, “the fact that it was not a sales pitch, but rather a very informative seminar opening the eyes of those not familiar with the complications of this type of housing, was beneficial. Being able to see the equipment made it that much more comprehensible.”
The Users Group followed an open forum style agenda, covering cage contents, hoods and sterilants, and study design. Users were very willing to share their experiences with our equipment and how they conduct research, even mentioning general Gnotobiology concerns they’ve had. The openness encouraged frank discussion and troubleshooting among the various institutions.
The feedback has been outstanding. A user commented, “we were so happy that we attended. I loved and preferred that it was engaging rather than just listening to a presentation. We learned a lot about things we hadn’t known prior. We’ll sign up for your Intermediate Users class once we start our program!”
More Gnotobiology events to come!