The RRRC has continued to refine cryopreservation techniques in the rat. Improvements to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) now allow sperm cryopreservation for a cost effect means of archiving large collection sets of rats.
Osmotic tolerance limits and effects of cryoprotectants on the motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity of rat sperm. Si W, Benson JD, Men H, Critser JK. Cryobiology. 2006 Dec;53(3):336-48.
Vibration study of the Piezo-driven pipettes immersed in viscous liquids. Fan M, Agca Y, Critser JK, Feng F. Journal of Applied Physics 2006; 100(7):74701-74708.
Changes in rat spermatozoa function after cooling, cryopreservation and centrifugation processes. Kim S, Agca C, Agca Y. Cryobiology. 2012 Jun 30.
08.25.2025
Why Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs) Are Important
RRIDs are unique identifiers for key biological resources, genetically enigineered animals and reagents like antibodies. Piekniewska et al. document how use of RRIDs improves trackability. Importantly, better citation practices increase research rigor and reproducibility.
07.30.2025
Animal Models and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)
NAMs are lab (e.g., organoids and iPSCs) or computer-based methods intended to expand our tools for modeling human biology and disease. While this field is rapidly evolving, the need for animal models remains, especially for situations where a complex biological system is necessary. In addition, animal models serve as vital in vivo controls for the validation and verification of emerging NAMs.
05.17.2025
Weather and Shipping
The welfare of the animals is of utmost importance and as we head into the summer months, inclement weather and excessive heat will delay/prevent shipments of live animals. Be aware that hot temperatures between June and mid-September may negatively impact the ability of couriers to safely ship animals so please plan your live animal orders accordingly.
02.16.2025
In Need of a New Rat Model?
Need a new rat model? The RRRC in conjunction with the MU Animal Modeling Core (AMC) can assist with the generation of transgenic rats, create knock-out and knock-in rats using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and genetically manipulate rat embryonic stem cells to make chimeric animals. Contact us to discuss your rat model needs and how we can help.