ANAXEM platform: Micalis' axenic pet shop

Anaxem supports research into the interactions between the commensal microbiota and the host in various fields: microbial ecology, immunology, neuroscience, nutrition and food-related diseases, including food-borne infections, allergies and metabolic disorders. Anaxem continuously raises one wild-type rat strain (F344) and two wild-type mouse strains (C3H/HeN, C57BL/6J) under germ-free conditions, while germ-free quail are produced on specific request. A pool of 38 isolators is available for experimental protocols with these germ-free animals, which may be colonized by one or more bacterial strains, or have fecal microbiota transferred from other animals or humans. Anaxem's assistance with experimental protocols ranges from basic technical support for teams with expertise in gnotobiology to in-depth support for teams with little or no expertise in the field (e.g. help with experimental design, full protocol implementation, etc.).

Specific equipment :

• 1 room for breeding germ-free rats and mice (30 isolators)
• 7 rooms for experiments with germ-free or gnotobiotic rats and mice (35 isolators)
• 1 room for experiments with germ-free or gnotobiotic quail (3 isolators)
• Equipment for behavioral testing in isolators
• 1 isolator designed for transporting germ-free animals to and from other germ-free animal facilities
• 2 autopsy rooms

Services and training :

• Theoretical and practical training in handling animals in sterile isolators, for new users of the facility.
• From technical assistance to the implementation of complete isolator protocols
• Germ-free derivation of SPF mouse strains