ACU-DEHAM — Experimental Animals Application and Research Center

The Experimental Animals Application and Research Center provides the infrastructure and technical support for scientific research and education with laboratory animals at Acıbadem University, and breeds, cares for and uses laboratory animals to a high standard and to international ethical norms. ACU-DEHAM was accepted into the AAALAC International accreditation programme on 25 February 2020, one of only two institutions in Türkiye to hold it at the time, and has operated under AAALAC accreditation since.

The centre occupies about 700 square metres on the first basement floor with five laboratories: Behaviour and Pain Research, Neurovascular Research, Electrophysiology Research, Cardiovascular Research, and Transgenic Animal Research and Biosafety. Service rooms include animal quarters and production rooms, a reanimation and post-operative care room, sterilisation and disinfection rooms, and storage.

Pure-bred Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats and Balb/c mice are bred at the centre; other strains and pigs for educational use are procured from licensed breeders. All animals live in individually ventilated cages with electronically controlled temperature, humidity and air circulation, a 12/12-hour light–dark cycle and cage changes at least three times a week.

Researchers first apply to the Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee (ACU-HADYEK) with the application form and letter of undertaking. Approved projects submit the HADYEK approval letter and an Experimental Animal Request Form to the centre; after the fee is paid, animal production is planned. Entry is by authorised card; the service contract must be signed by the principal investigator; laboratory reservations are made by e-mail or telephone (+90 216 250 7712). Publications must state that animals were procured from, or work was carried out at, ACU-DEHAM.