Proposal

Narrative

Advancement in research is a priority in FAU’s mission plan. In echoing this goal, Comparative Medicine implements technology and training with best practices in research in our day-to-day operations, aiming to bolster FAU’s animal research program. In previous years, our department has helped FAU develop a solid rodent research program facilitated in part via Technology Grant. With this, we have expanded access to students and animal research personnel (Biology, Exercise Science, Psychology, Complex Systems, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, and Mechanical Engineering) to professional surgical equipment (surgical microscopes and anesthesia systems) needed for rodent research. In 2023, FAU’s animal program will start a new era by expanding our research to a large animal model. Swine constitute an ideal model for cardiovascular/dermatological diseases and engineering medical devices due to their physiological similarities to humans and size. Studies with pigs will allow FAU students to learn research techniques and clinical diagnostic, pathological, and surgical procedures. Surgery in a large animal model is complex and uses the same technologies for peri-operative care and monitoring as in humans. It opens training opportunities that apply to human clinical trials and provides students with a competitive advantage when matching for medical rotations, grant proposals, and future job offers. We will need the appropriate equipment for our training program to provide hands-on instruction with swine, as we currently do with rodent models only possible via a Technology grant. We propose to 1. Set up a complete surgical suite tailored for swine models to train medical, graduate, and undergraduate students. 2. Set up a tissue analysis lab specific to swine to teach clinical diagnostics and pathology to students/research personnel. The impact of this technology will benefit 48 research labs, 261 medical students (M1 - M4), 225 graduates, and 305 undergraduate students.

Facilities

A combined effort between FAU units is currently supporting the establishment of the swine facility.

Hardware Requirements

Swine surgical suite: 1. Anesthesia machine system - ventilator, vaporizer, and components 2. Vital signs monitoring system - CO2 meter, heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter 3. Warming devices for surgery and post-operative care 4. IV Pump for hydration during surgery and post-operative care 5. Syringe pump for anesthetic agents while in surgery 6. Electrocautery for tissue handling while surgery Swine tissue analysis lab: 1. Hematology Analyzer (Zoetis Vetscan HM5) 2. Blood Chemistry Analyzer (VetScan VS2) 3. Mopec Autopsy Saw Model 810

Software Requirements

N/A

Personnel Costs

N/A

Other Costs

Our departmental budget will support maintenance and service contracts for equipment in FY 24 budget allocations.

Timeline

If this project is funded, our department has estimated the following lead times for equipment to be delivered: FY 23 - July 2023 - ZOETIS will deliver the swine tissue analysis lab components. FY 23 - September 2023 - VETAMAC will deliver the swine surgical suite components. Therefore, most of the equipment for the project would be received and installed within six months of award funds being released, starting as early as late FY23. We anticipate that the training project can begin in 2023.

Sustainability

Our department will maintain the purchased equipment after the incorporation of the swine models into our training program are underway. We will require our vendors' maintenance contracts to yearly maintain the upkeep of the surgical equipment and calibration of the tissue analyzers once the two-year warranty has lapsed in FY 25. We envisioned that the setup of a swine surgical suite and configuration of a swine tissue analysis lab would contribute to FAU’s AAALAC re-certification in FY 24, which confirms that research practices at FAU are in ethical compliance. Additionally, we aim to support efforts from research personnel to apply for extramural funding opportunities with agencies such as NIH and NSF in FY 24 onwards. Lastly and most importantly, to enhance FAU's student training for animal research models as early as the end of FY23, as mentioned previously.

Resource Matching

Comparative Medicine will plan the FY24 budget to include maintenance and repair for the equipment included in this proposal using our overhead funds.

Implementing Organization

Granting this proposal will upgrade our core equipment and expand outreach for training candidates at different FAU departments: I. College of Medicine-biomedical research Graduate and undergraduate students currently study the progression of brain diseases and healthy aging by recognizing biomedical markers. II. College of Medicine - Allopathic program Medical students will have access to learn research techniques and clinical diagnostic, pathological, and surgical procedures in swine. Surgery in a large animal model uses the same technologies for peri-operative care and monitoring as humans, broadening opportunities for students proposing application grants for human clinical trials and a competitive advantage when matching medical rotations. III. College of Science - Biology, Chemistry, Complex Systems, Exercise Science, and Psychology Departments Graduate and undergraduate students in these departments, which conduct research in neuroanatomy and mechanisms involved in learning and memory, can be trained in translational models to a bigger species. IV. College of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Department Swine constitute an ideal model for engineering biomaterials and medical devices due to their similarities to human anatomical size. Therefore, students conducting research in rodent models will be able to conduct translational research in a swine model and open opportunities for patents. Overall, the funds allocated to this proposal will engage I-Brain and I-Health pillars. Implementing technology funds will benefit about 839 or higher (based on undergraduate students receiving grant projects, Direct Independent Studies, Henderson high school students volunteering at labs, and medical students matching for professional specialties)from our training enhancements.