Centre for research and
preclinical investigation
(The platform for in vivo functional experimentation)
The Centre for Research and Preclinical Investigation (C.R.P.I) is an emerging structure within ONIRIS, offering a wide range of experimentation services which is unique in Europe. On a single site, a complete offer in animal experimentation is proposed, from guidance and access to evaluation tools to the complete organization of preclinical tests in the fields of animal health, human health and compared pathology (animal models).
The C.R.P.I aims at answering the needs of institutional research teams or R&D departments in pharmaceutical or biotechnological companies by gathering all the means and skills which are necessary to carry out their preclinical studies. This offer involves 3 scientific and technological sectors over 7 platforms and dedicated animal houses with a view to answer the most varied demands.
The centre is officially authorized to do animal experimentation. The studies are carried out with the strictest respect for the legislation and under the control of an ethical committee.
Contact : crip(at)oniris-nantes.fr
The in vivo exploration sector
The platform of experimental surgery
You need to perform surgical procedures within your research programs.
You wish to have access to state-of-the-art equipment, to perform modeling procedures – or to have them done by specialized veterinary surgeons in various fields and on animals of all kinds (rodents, lagomorphs, pigs, dogs, monkeys etc.). Your trials require pre- or postoperative accommodation.
Call on a team of specialized surgeons and anaesthetists evolving in a structure approved for animal experimentation and experimental surgery. You can have access to complete operating theatres fully equipped for anaesthesia and surgery (endoscopy, arthroscopy, coelioscopy, operating microscopy) and to pre- or post operative accommodation facilities for all large animal species.
The platform of medical imaging
You need methods to explore, use and model some data and images. You are involved in cancerology, cardiovascular physio-pathology, gene therapy, osseous physio-pathology and transplantation and your research requires specific means of investigation.
ONIRIS’ platform of medical imaging will put at your disposal some efficient equipment and veterinary staff experienced in argentic and digital radiology allowing interventional radiology for the carrying-out of ultrasonic mini-invasive surgery under fluoroscopy, including echocardiography and scintigraphy. You can have access to 1T high-field MRI facilities and to a PETscan for study and diagnosis in various animal species.
The function testing platform in physiology and pharmaco-toxicology
You need to test the toxicity, the biodistribution efficiency of new pharmacological molecules in development. You work on physio-pathological models for which you need information on the changes to cell signalling pathways.
You may have to attend an approved training session in animal experimentation.
Fundamental data in toxicology, pharmacokinetics and/or pharmacodynamics can be obtained thanks to numerous complementary function testing methods (in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo) and on animal models of small-or-large-sized species.
The different training sessions in animal experimentation (levels 3, 2, 1 & surgery) are organized twice a year.
The analysis sector
The platform of veterinary pathology
You need, for your research or clinical diagnosis, some anatomo- and histopathological expertise on tissues and organs of rodents, carnivores, equidae, ruminants, pigs, poultry, fish or wild animals.
You wish to develop or implement protocols of histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and histomorphometric analysis.
The platform of veterinary pathology is equipped with facilities for histology, immuno-histochemistry, histomorphometry, techniques of molecular biology on slides. A team of pathologists, all members of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists, offers a wide range of services, from provision to scientific collaboration.
The platform of analysis and diagnosis
You need biochemical, haematological, endocrinological, immunological analyses or help in pathology or in the development of protocols: analytical or experimental feasibility, parameter relevance, species peculiarities etc.
ONIRIS’ platform of analysis and diagnosis provides multidisciplinary teams for implementing protocols, developing and carrying out analyses, whatever the species (carnivores, equidae, ruminants, pigs, poultry, fish, rodents, unusual species).
More particularly, the team, specialized in clinical pathology and endocrinology and recognized in Europe, can provide assistance in decision-making and in the interpretation of results.
The platform of veterinary and pre-clinical immunomonitoring
You need to monitor immune responses during preclinical research on animal models of human pathology or veterinary clinical research either in physiopathology or therapeutics, notably immunotherapy and all biotherapies. You work in the fields of cancerology, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, dermatology, infectiology, inflammation or transplantation etc.
The platform of immunomonitoring offers the possibility to obtain accurate and combined analysis for several parameters of the humoral and cellular immune response thanks to various techniques and skills: multicolor flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISPOT, in vitro cell function tests, microdissection, (RT) qPCR etc.
The platform of molecular biology
Your needs involve cloning or the production of recombinant proteins. The platform of molecular biology offers a P3 environment to perform PCR, real time qPCR and molecular cloning techniques.
The animal care houses
The experimental animal care houses, with specifically dedicated facilities, enable perioperative or long-term accommodation for most large species: dogs, small ruminants (sheep, goats, calves), rabbits and pigs.
A rodent care house is also available, offering different confinement levels (A1, A1+ and A2) suitable for most in-vivo studies.
Specific facilities for rodents and large species can also accommodate irradiated animals.
