DELIVERING WORLD CLASS SCIENCE FOR OUR PARTNERS, FOR THE FUTURE.
Health monitoring is a prerequisite of good research, and at Fera, we understand that the maintenance of healthy animal populations is vital to research integrity. That’s why we have combined the knowledge of industry leading experts to offer a comprehensive microbiological service to monitor your facilities’ research environment, biologics, and research models.
Whether you want to monitor sentinels by traditional screening methods or monitor your colonies using molecular based techniques, Fera will work with you to design a customised program for your facility and provide the testing services you need to help you identify potential health threats in your laboratory animal colonies.
CONSULTANCY SERVICES
We understand that the development of an effective health monitoring strategy and testing process is highly complex, and today’s facility managers and Named Veterinary Surgeons are required to manage an increasingly complex environment including:
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Fera provide a consultancy service to support you and help mitigate the risk of potential outbreak mid-way through a research project, all whilst maintaining industry best practices.
Our state-of-the-art and innovative services make us an industry leader, and with a UK-based laboratory, you can always trust in our results.
INTRODUCING THE GHOST SENTINEL SYSTEM - THE SHAKE AND BAKE METHOD OF COLONY SURVEILLANCE.
Introducing Fera’s Ghost Sentinel Screening System. This innovative system, based on the shake and bake method is a highly effective technique for monitoring animal health in research and breeding colonies without the need for sentinels. This direct environmental approach using Real-Time PCR is able to detect low levels of bacterial contamination that may not be detected via traditional sentinel screening and exhaust dust screening approaches.
This makes it a valuable tool for detecting and tracking the spread of infectious diseases within a colony. Our Ghost Sentinel System can help to ensure the health and wellbeing of animal populations, as well as improving the quality and reliability of research outcomes. Check out our Environmental screening panels here.
TOUR OUR ANIMAL HEALTH LABORATORIES
FIND YOUR BESPOKE SOLUTION:
Fera offers customised microbiological monitoring of multiple species including mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, with zebrafish coming soon:
We will work with you to provide an extensive screening service to monitor your laboratory species using the latest technologies and advances in diagnostics. From Taqman PCR to MALDI-Tof mass spectrometry analysis and Volumetric Absorbtive Microsampling (VAMs), we have the expertise to utilise the most accurate methods where and when you need them. Fera offer a range of panels that fit the FELASA recommendations for quarterly and annual screening as well as offering novel agents. We can help you devise your own panels that fit your needs with no hidden extra charges for every addition you make to our panels. With our help you can make the choice of organisms, the choice of methods and the choice of screening strategy.
Animals or individual samples can be submitted to our UK-based health monitoring laboratory for necropsy, bacteriology, parasitology, and molecular investigations. Design your panel or let us do it for you from our list of available assays below to begin your fully customisable service.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOLOGICS
Our research animal diagnostic services are built on a foundation of scientific expertise, fully
validated detection methods, using the latest technologies in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Our animal diagnostic laboratory delivers precise and reliable testing to screen your animal facility,
research biologics, and animal models without the worry of misleading results.
3R's Panoptic Panels
Environmental samples include either exhaust air filters or swabs of plenums. Environmental sampling of either shake cage filters, exhaust air filters or swabs of plenums offer a new and innovative approach to rodent health monitoring. Use these panels either as an adjunct to your health monitoring programme or to replace sentinels in your facility altogether.
Use these panels as an adjunct to your health monitoring programme.
Utilises Taqman Real-Time PCR
Fully automated high through-put extraction and analysis
Bespoke panels without extra costs
Urgent analysis - turnaround 24 hours
Complimentary consultancy service by a specialist microbiologist
Cell lines and Biologics
To maintain the microbiological integrity of your health monitoring facility, it is imperative to monitor your cell lines and biologicals as undetected threats can affect your animals, your health, and your data.
Utilises latest advances in diagnostics; Taqman Real-Time PCR
Fully automated high through-put extraction and analysis
Bespoke panels without extra costs
Urgent analysis - turnaround 24 hours
Complimentary consultancy by a specialist microbiologist
Water Monitoring
Fera provides an expert water monitoring service. This includes total viable counts and specific cultures for opportunist pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Whether you are interested in monitoring the quality of your water or looking for specific pathogens FERA can accommodate your request.
Total Viable counts (TVC)
E.coli and Coliforms (TVC)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (TVC)
Detection of Mites and Book Lice
Fera has designed and manufactured the first sterile trapping system for use in laboratory animal facilities. Mites and insects can have a devastating impact on research facilities if they go unchecked. Our innovative BT trap allows early detection and we can support you to eradicate the problem before it impacts your facility.