In the last two decades it has become clear that the microbiota (microbial inhabitants) of the human body and their interactions with the host are far more complex than previously recognized, and have major roles in health and disease, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, hypersensitivity diseases such as asthma, hepatic metabolism of xenobiotics, and neurological development and behavior. Gnotobiotic and “humanized” animal models are essential tools for investigating the role of the microbiome in health and disease. The purpose of this facility is to provide UAB investigators access to such models.

Service(s):
Hysterectomy derivation of germfree mice
Establishing defined microbiota in germfree mice
Monitoring microbiological status of gnotobiotic mice
Maintaining breeding stocks
Providing isolator housing for experimental mice
Performing procedures in isolator housed mice such as injections and collecting tissue and fecal samples
Consultation regarding experiments using gnotobiotic mice
Training in gnotobiotic techniques