Animal Research Facility

The Animal Research Facility located in Martin D. Jenkins Behavioral and Social Sciences Center is a state-of-the-art facility that supports Morgan State University scholars in their conduct of groundbreaking research. The facility allows researchers to utilize laboratory animals in an innovative, ethical, and humane manner for advancing scientific knowledge.

Housing Capacity

Access the CANVAS Modules for the Animal Facility through the ASCEND course. Please contact jacob.curtis@morgan.edu if you need access to this course.

To reserve equipment and/or servives, use this link.

• State-of-the-art surgery room with two surgery tables with environmental safety controls, mouse and rat digitized stereotaxic instruments, gas and chemical anesthesia systems, and a benchtop autoclave for surgical instrument sterilization.
• Modern histology laboratory for tissue processing with biosafety level II cabinet, tissue processing and embedding apparatus and Leica microtome
• Modern molecular laboratory that includes a cryostat, a fluorescent microscope with imaging, and automated cell counting capabilities, refrigerated centrifuge, digital temperature shaking incubator, Wes simple protein analysis apparatus and a microplate reader.
• 4 behavior testing rooms with various automated testing equipment that includes: Automated operant conditioning chambers and mazes for mice and rats with digital and recording capabilities.
• 2 Freezers and 2 refrigerators for sample storage in temperatures ranging respectively from -80^oC  to 8^oC
• Automated bedding dispenser and water filling station for rodent husbandry
• Cabinet cage washer
• Reverse osmosis purification water system
• Automated environmental monitoring system with temperature and humidity controls and 24-hour remote monitoring and control of lighting for rodent circadian rhythm requirements.

Training and Consultation Services.  Staff is AALAS certified with over 15 years of experience in laboratory animal use in research and teaching.

• Health and safety training scheduled four times annually
• Basic rodent handling, care, and health monitoring training scheduled four times annually
• Consultations for research design using laboratory animals and training for specialized surgical and behavioral techniques are by appointment.  Use this form and and select the training appropriate for your research 
• Contact Dr. Ingrid Tulloch (ingrid.tulloch@morgan.edu) for additional information.

Steps before you can access the facility for laboratory animals at MSU
1) Consult with the Animal Facility by first completing a user information form to ensure best practices for your planned research, determine how many animals and what drugs are needed, etc.

2) Register with CITI program and complete CITI training modules for:

• Responsible conduct for research
• Working with IACUC
• Minimizing pain and distress
• Working with... (select your specific organism)
• Occupational Health and Safety Training

3) Complete, submit, and acquire IACUC protocol approval. A blank protocol form is located here.

4) Review Occupational Health Risks.

5) Review Safety Practices and Procedures.

6) Complete the Occupational Health Enrollment Form and Pre-Placement Physical.

7) Contact the Facility Director Ingrid Tulloch (ingrid.tulloch@morgan.edu) to arrange orientation and training for hands-on animal handling. Additional training for specialized procedures specific to your laboratory animal use might be required.