The Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) Pathology Core and Germ-Free Mouse Facility both work in close collaboration with the Michigan Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center in Live Models (MMPC-Live) to offer specialized research support services to Study Teams working with mouse models to advance scientific understanding of metabolic dysfunction – including diabetes, obesity, and related health conditions.
One of four Centers nationwide, MMPC-Live is part of a larger NIH-funded consortium offering standardized, high-quality metabolic and physiologic phenotyping services to both U-M and external investigators.
ULAM Pathology Core
The ULAM Pathology Core, directed by Ingrid L. Bergin, VMD, MS, DACLAM, DACVP, offers numerous anatomic and clinical pathology services, including:
- Necropsy/tissue collection
- Histology/immunohistochemistry
- Animal hematology/clinical chemistry and diagnostic testing
- Digital slide scanning
- Pathology interpretation and quantitative image analysis
All services are performed by staff with certification and/or experience in histology or animal health related fields, and oversight is provided by board-certified, veterinary pathologists with extensive experience in research pathology.
Germ-Free Mouse Facility
Directed by Lucy Kennedy, DVM, DACLAM, the Germ-Free Mouse Facility provides support for primary and collaborative research studies investigating inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, host microbiome interactions, infectious disease pathogenesis, and mammalian and bacterial metabolism.
Additional services include:
- Shipment of germ-free mice to locations worldwide
- Specialized germ-free and barrier housing
- Technical services
- Professional services such as re-derivation of new germ-free strains and consultation on study design
Visit the Services webpage on the Animal Care & Use Program website to learn more about each Core, including how to request services, a complete list of service offerings, and recharge rates.
About MMPC-Live
Additional information about MMPC-Live is available via the introductory video below, or by visiting the MMPC-Live website. General questions may also be directed to [email protected].