Biomedical Sciences Research Institute

Biomedical and Behavioural Research Unit

Academic Coordinator:Dr Christian Hölscher
Tel: +44 (0)28 7012 4178
Email: c.holscher@ulster.ac.uk

The Biomedical and Behavioural Research Unit (BBRU) offers services for pre-clinical studies and physiological measurements in rodents, such as:

Short term and long-term studies of physiological parameters, e.g., for drug studies
Blood sampling
Tissue sampling
Analysis of physiological parameters, e.g., blood sugar levels, hormone levels
Activity analysis, e.g., day-night activity cycle, food and liquid intake
Cognitive performance analysis, e.g., water maze learning tasks, skinner box conditioning tasks.

: microvascular casting and 3-D imaging to examine the relationship between structure, disease progression and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse

The Unit has computerized tracking systems and data analysis systems; Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) housing conditions are available (if required). In addition, a number of surgical techniques can be performed, e.g., the implantation of drug delivery systems or injections of drugs intra-cerebrally. The Unit also has considerable expertise in the analysis of physiological properties of transgenic animals.

The Unit is currently involved in undertaking customized in vivo research projects in areas such as; diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer growth and blood vessel growth and development