Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Platform

RMPP aims to:

• Facilitate that researchers can perform experiments of the highest possible quality with a strong emphasis on animal welfare
• Continuously develop and refine cutting-edge methods to investigate and characterize metabolic phenotypes
• To make complex in vivo technology accessible to our users by assisting them in every step of the process, from planning to analysis.

• Guidance for project planning and experiment design
• Support and access to specialized equipment including Sable Promethion Core Systems with Accessories, Mouse Matrix Home Cage Monitoring, and Digitally Ventilated Cages with running wheels.
• Technical assistance for blood sampling, tissue extraction and specialized surgical procedures
• Training modules in correct handling and sampling from animals
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for aseptic clinical surgery
• Support for data analysis and -interpretation

Technical assistance for smaller tasks can be requested from the RMPP technician team by sending an email to CBMR-RMPP-technicians@sund.ku.dk. We generally define technical assistance as tasks that take one full work day or less to complete.

For larger projects, or for booking of specialized equipment, please submit a project request by filling out our Service Request Form. You can also send an email to CBMR-RMPP-Projects@sund.ku.dk 

Once a request has been submitted, we will discuss the project internally, potentially ask additional questions about the experimental setup, and ultimately provide suggested dates for when the experiment can be performed. Experiments and procedures are generally performed together with the user, and not exclusively by RMPP staff.

We are happy to provide input and help with project planning, experimental design, and data analysis. Feel free to submit a project request to inquire about our services.

Training sessions in basic handling of animals are arranged regularly, and course dates are announced through our user mailing list. To join the mailing list, please contact the RMPP Platform Manager Morten Dall.

RMPP also offers assistance in establishing novel surgical procedures, and facilitates training in existing procedures (e.g., catheter insertions and ICV cannulation). Please use our Service Request Form to inquire about training.

RMPP has written a guide to the animal facility and a guide on how to get started with animal experiments that can be retrieved using the Downloads section. For any additional questions about equipment, licenses and permits, contact RMPP at either CBMR-RMPP-technicians@sund.ku.dk or CBMR-RMPP-projects@sund.ku.dk.

Information from our Guide to getting started with animal experiments is summarized below. Please see the full document in the Downloads section for additional info. To perform experiments or breed animals in RMPP facilities you need the following four things:

1. FELASA authorization/accreditation to perform animal experiments
2. A license for the specific procedure/breeding granted by the Danish Animal Experiments Inspectorate
3. An account at the Department of Experimental Medicine
4. A project plan for the specific experiment approved by the veterinarians from the Department of Experimental Medicine. Consider adding RMPP staff to your plan if you need us to do experiments with you.
5. An introduction from RMPP staff

License to perform animal experiments

To obtain a license to breed animals for experiments or perform animal experiments in Denmark, a researcher must have completed a Danish animal experimentation course corresponding to FELASA C level/ EU function ABD level. To work on another person’s license, you must have an approved Danish animal experimentation course corresponding to a FELASA B level / EU function AD level.

If you have an approved course in animal experimentation from another country and/or previous experience, conducting animal experiments from another country, you can apply for a dispensation from having to pass a Danish course on animal experimentation. Please contact RMPP using the email above if you have any questions about the process.

License for specific procedure/breeding

To perform animal experiments or to breed animals, one needs to obtain a license from the Animal Experiments Inspectorate. You can apply here. Beware that the website and some aspects of the application are in Danish. For details about the process please see our Guide to getting started with animal experiments in the Downloads section, or contact RMPP using the above email.

Account at the Department of Experimental Medicine

RMPP is located in the facilities of the Department of Experimental Medicine (AEM) and AEM technicians handle cage changes, and daily inspections of animals. Hence, a user must have an account, which can be created here.

Project plan from the Department of Experimental Medicine

Experiments performed in AEM’s facilities must be approved by AEM’s veterinarians. A project plan must be tied to a license from the Animal Experiments Inspectorate. Project plans are obtained by filling out the form found on this site. There you can also find relevant information about how to get started using AEM’s facilities. You can apply for access to the facilities through https://emed.ku.dk/forms/access/.

Introduction by RMPP staff

New users must book a tour of the RMPP facilities through CBMR-RMPP-technicians@sund.ku.dk. The informal tour will introduce you to the facilities, the procedures and the equipment. Information about the facility and the equipment can be found in the Guide to the animal facility, found in the Downloads section.

Equipment is either booked through our booking system Skedda, or by submitting a request by email (either our project email or technician email, depending on specific service). Below are highlighted some of our most requested equipment - please see our Facility Guide for a full list and booking guidelines, and our Downloads section for our various Booking Request Forms.

Bruker LF90II Body Composition Analyzer: MRI scanner for determining body composition

Climate Cabinets: Five cabinets that can be temperature adjusted from 4 to 30 °C.

DSI PhysioTel HD System: For continuous glucose monitoring

Digitally Ventilated Cage Rack: Digitally monitored home cage system with space for 88 cages. Can measure activity, moisture and be equipped with running wheels.

Harvard Apparatus Pump 11 Elite infusion pumps: for infusion studies and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp

Mouse Matrix Home Cage Monitoring System: Probe-based system for 16 cages to track activity and temperature.

Sable Promethion Systems: Four 16-cage Sable Promethion Systems, three in temperature-controlled climate cabinets, and one open, free-standing system.

Scantainers: Nine Ventilated Cabinets, several with the option to change light/dark cycles for circadian studies

SomnoSuite Isoflurane Machines: Low-flow anaesthesia system.

Stereotactic frame: Manual and robot

Surgery Facilities equipped with two Leica M205 A microscopes: Room for clinical surgery. Can be booked with or without support after introduction.

At CBMR we strive to conduct our in vivo research according to the principles of the 3Rs – Replacement, Reduction & Refinement.

Please contact RMPP staff for questions about the 3Rs in your in vivo studies – at CBMR-RMPP-technicians@sund.ku.dk

For additional information and resources concerning the 3Rs, please visit the Danish 3R-Center