The Laboratory Animal Platform of the Anhui AI Research Institute. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The laboratory animal platform of the Anhui Institute of Artificial Intelligence provides animal models for brain science and brain-like intelligence research. It carries out advanced animal models preparation and related technical research.

It can provide one-stop services for small rodents and primates breeding, model creation, phenotypic analysis, as well as functional efficacy, serving as a comprehensive animal experiment facility with advanced equipment that will help facilitate R&D in the fields of artificial intelligence and brain-like intelligence.

The platform passed the review by experimental animal experts in September 2020, with qualifications to use SPF-level large and small mice, as well as general-level monkeys.

It is located in Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone and was put into use in November 2020.

The platform has a standardized hardware facility of 1,500 square meters. It is equipped with 4,000 individually ventilated cages (IVCs) for small mice, 200 mice IVCs, and 50 macaque breeding cages.

The platform includes related laboratories, large animal dissection rooms, and operating rooms.

There are 45 sets of large and medium-sized experimental equipment and supporting facilities, such as an RS2000 biological X-ray irradiator, TSE/PhenoMaster 12-channel small animal metabolism monitoring cages, TSE/Metabolic PhenoCage-M mouse urine and stool separation and collection cages, a Tecniplast digital laboratory animal monitoring system, a small animal in vivo optical imaging system, brain stereotaxic instruments, level control instruments, a multi-channel neural recording system, an optogenetic experiment system and a dual-color optical fiber recording system.

The individually ventilated cages (IVCs) for small mice at the laboratory animal platform. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The small animal metabolism monitoring cages at the laboratory animal platform. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]