# Shared Resource - Animal Models Shared Resource

> **NIH NIH P30** · GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $138,505

## Abstract

ABSTRACT 
Animal models are powerful cancer research tools that are vital to translational research. The function of the 
Animal Models Shared Resource (AMSR) is to facilitate the efficient, economical, state-of-the-art use of animals 
for the performance of cancer-related studies. This is accomplished through a centralized resource in which 
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science–certified, highly trained veterinary technicians provide 
translational research services on animals to members of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer 
Center (LCCC). A significant emphasis is placed on assisting users with the design and performance of animal 
studies using a wide range of models extending from zebrafish to an estrogen receptor-positive rat for studying 
breast cancer. Major services include all aspects of rodent studies, such as establishing genetically modified 
mouse colonies; administering carcinogens; monitoring tumor growth; collecting tissues and tumors at necropsy 
and administering drugs, diets or other compounds. Studies using zebrafish include generating gene knockout 
or gene overexpressing models, screening drugs for toxicity and conducting xenotransplantation experiments 
(i.e., “zevatars”—zebrafish avatar). Imaging services are also provided to monitor tumor initiation, progression 
and response to therapy. The imaging services provided by the AMSR include high-resolution, in vivo, small 
animal imaging and image analysis using a Bruker 7 tesla magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy 
console, a small animal ultrasound (Vevo 660) workstation, an x-ray imaging unit (Faxitron) and a bioluminescent 
and visible to near-infrared spectroscopic imaging workstation (IVIS Lumina III). The AMSR is located within 
Georgetown University Medical Center's (GUMC’s) Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM). The DCM is a 
centralized, U.S. Department of Agriculture-registered animal facility that is accredited by the Association for 
Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International and that has an approved 
letter of assurance on file at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In fiscal year 2017, the AMSR provided 
services to 24 LCCC members from all four Research Programs (Breast Cancer [BC], Cancer Prevention and 
Control [CPC], Experimental Therapeutics [ET] and Molecular Oncology [MO]). The AMSR works closely with 
the Histopathology & Tissue Shared Resource (HTSR) and the Biostatistics & Bioinformatics Shared Resource 
(BBSR). The AMSR supported 50 publications in the funding period. The AMSR is codirected by Christopher 
Albanese, PhD, Leena Hilakivi-Clarke, PhD, and Eric Glasgow, PhD, who oversee imaging, rodent and 
zebrafish components, respectively.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400644
- **Project number:** 5P30CA051008-29
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTOPHER ALBANESE
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $138,505
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-08-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400644

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400644, Shared Resource - Animal Models Shared Resource (5P30CA051008-29). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400644. Licensed CC0.

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