for assistance call: 1-888-673-3444
 
Happy World Rat Day!
 April 04, 2023
April 4, 2023 is World Rat Day!  The RRRC would like to acknowledge the important contributions to science and medicine made possible by the use of rats in biomedical research.
Exciting Job Opportunities
 April 03, 2023
The RRRC is looking to expand its team!  We have positions available in colony management, data curation, cryobiology, reproductive biology, and customer service.  We are also looking for individuals interested in post-doctoral training with both a service and research emphasis.  Interested in learning more?  Contact Dr. Elizabeth Bryda at rrrc@missouri.edu.

NIH Extrinsic Factors Workshop
 August 09, 2022

Enhance Rigor and Reproducibility in Animal Research by Managing Extrinsic Factors

When: September 23, 28, and 30, 2022

Venue: Zoom

Register: scgcorp.com/ExtrinsicFactorsWS

The workshop will be a forum to discuss the current status of and needs for understanding extrinsic environmental factors; their potential impact on animal research outcomes; and how facilities may optimally manage, monitor, and report these extrinsic factors in an effort to enhance reproducibility and rigor in animal research. The focus of this workshop will be on identifying gaps, opportunities, and new approaches in husbandry of commonly and widely used animal models; relevant environmental factors and conditions; and the need for novel instruments, equipment, and infrastructure for animal research core facilities (e.g., modern design of research core facilities, high-throughput equipment, telemetry for behavioral research).

Rats on the rise
 July 20, 2021
Rats on the rise.  Ellen P. Neff (Lab Animal, 2021). After a genetic revolution in the 80s, mice overtook rats as the laboratory animal of choice for many researchers. But in recent years, the gene editing capabilities that had lagged a little for the larger rodent have been coming up to par with their murine cousins. Is a return to rats on the way?
RRRC Fully Operational
 June 14, 2020
The RRRC is fully operational at this time and we are excited to be able to assist researchers with all their rat-related needs. 
Genotyping
The RRRC genotypes all lines upon arrival.  When provided, genotyping protocols supplied by donating investigators are validated and optimized.  When no genotyping protocol exists, the RRRC develops new gene-specific assays using a variety of techniques including standard PCR, RFLP analysis, High-Resolution Melt (HRM), RT-PCR, qPCR and Taqman (probe-based) methods.

For lines involving unique or uncharacterized genetic backgrounds and/or lines developed for QTL analysis which do not involve discrete genetic mutations, protocols involving genome-wide microsatellite analysis are developed.  

Genotyping protocols for individual rat models are available under "genetic description" in the strain profile.

RRRC genotyping protocols have been optimized for the reagents and conditions described in the protocols. To genotype animals, the RRRC recommends researchers validate the assays independently upon receipt of animals into their facility. Reaction cycling temperatures and times may require additional optimization based on the specific genotyping reagents and instrumentation used.

Please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance- our genotyping experts are alway available for consultation and can help you trouble-shoot your genotyping assays.