Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine
Welcome
The Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) exists to provide high-quality, cost-effective husbandry, administrative and technical support for animal care and use, to facilitate animal well-being for research and teaching at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
The animal facility contains approximately 20,000 gross square feet of modern, well-equipped space, which includes a surgery suite, cagewash facility, diagnostic laboratory, necropsy room, quarantine area and infectious disease containment suite. The centralized laboratory animal care program is accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care and it is directed by a veterinarian who is a diplomat in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. The DLAM facility Coordinator is certified as a Laboratory Animal Technician by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
Services
The Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) would like to assist you and your lab in performing quality research. We have several core pieces of equipment available for research use.
The following list describes each piece of equipment/service. For additional information, please contact Dr. Faazal Rehman or Cassie Vorachek in DLAM, main office at 217-545-3053.
The Rodent Surgery Setup is a mobile anesthesia system for mice and rats. The Rodent Surgery Setup is available for use in the procedure rooms in DLAM or in your lab. Rental cost is $15/hour. Please contact Cassie Vorachek two days in advance to reserve this equipment.
The RC2 Rodent Anesthesia System by VetEquip has the capability of running up to 6 animals at once. Rental cost is $15/hour. The rental fee includes a supply of oxygen, isoflurane, a hot bead sterilizer, a heated platform, and a large magnification light.
The AN74i by Anderson Products is a tabletop Ethylene Oxide Sterilizer. Ethylene oxide can be used to sterilize sensitive equipment that could not otherwise be adequately sterilized. Instruments frequently sterilized by EtO include: plastic instruments, rubber and plastic tubing, electrical equipment, surgical staplers/staples, and anesthesia masks and circuits. Please visit Ethylene Oxide Sterilizer Request for more information.
The Rad Source Technologies RS 2000 Biological Research X-ray Irradiator is designed specifically as a non-isotope replacement for cesium (Cs-137) irradiators being used for the irradiation of small animals, cells, tissue, and other research purposes. The RS 2000 is a self-contained unit that provides 160kV operation at 25mA and uses a simple touch screen for easy programming. The dose rate delivered to an animal cage is ~110 rads/min (110cGy/min), and the dose uniformity exceeds 95%. Due to the dose uniformity, animals are free to move about in the animal cage during irradiation. For cell and tissue work, a movable shelf allows for dose rate adjustment from 800 to 1,200 rads/min (8-12 Gy/min) using unfiltered radiation. Typically for well plates and similar items, the average dose rate is 1,000 rads/min (10 Gy/min) with a 20.5 cm diameter field. A current, approved RCC application, LACUC protocol, and Cabinet X-ray Radiation Safety Training are required. Contact Joel Reichensperger in the Office of Radiological Control (217) 545-9745 for more information.
The IVIS(r) Lumina Series II brings together leading optical imaging technologies into one easy-to-use and highly sensitive bench-top system. The IVIS Lumina II is capable of imaging both fluorescent and bioluminescent reporters. The system is equipped with multiple filter sets that can be used to image reporters that emit from green to near-infrared. Superior spectral unmixing can be achieved by Lumina II's optional high-resolution short-cut off filters. Interested persons should sign up for a training session with Melissa Roberts, Research Imaging Facility, (217) 545-7186.
Animal handler class
The Animal Handler Class is now offered through CITI and can be completed at your convenience. After completing the course, you must attend a tour of the facility and complete the risk assessment form that is submitted to the Employee Health Nurse. Please contact Cassie Vorachek cvorachek68@siumed.edu if you have questions or to register for a tour.
Follow this link to the online training.
- Click on Register – upper right corner
- Under Select Your Organization Affiliation, search for Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
- Follow the registration steps
- At the final step of registration, select the Laboratory Animal Research module(s) applicable to your role
Grant summary
The DLAM operates a large, accredited facility of about 17,892 square feet that houses and cares for animals such as mice, rats, rabbits and pigs. It also runs training programs and supports researchers by offering protocol help, educational courses, and animal-use oversight to ensure welfare and compliance.
Contact
Daylene Craig, Administrative Aide
Phone: 217-545-3053
Email: dcraig@siumed.edu
Faazal Rehman, VMD
Director, Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology
Phone: 217-545-3053
Email: frehman72@siumed.edu