All genetically engineered rodents in the care of GEMS are housed in isolators. We use isolators to maintain the highest level of microbiological and genetic security for these extremely valuable lines. The isolator system is supported by redundant backup systems, strict disinfection procedures, and triple HEPA filtered air handling to ensure the integrity of the colony housed within each isolator. Further, humidity and temperature are constantly monitored and strictly regulated to achieve optimal living and breeding conditions for the animals in our care. These processes allow Charles River to accept animals of any health status into the isolator system with no need to rederive prior to breeding.
There are three standard isolator sizes, 3ft, 6ft, and 8ft, that house 18, 30, and 64 mouse and 9, 12, and 27 rat cages, respectively. Having these multiple isolator sizes allows you to have the flexibility to keep small- or large-scale projects without paying for unnecessary space. For projects that require significantly greater than 64 cages to maintain, we have the ability to link multiple isolators together, effectively creating a small, client-dedicated barrier room that still maintains all of the traditional isolator advantages with regards to biosecurity, but also allows for hundreds of cages to be maintained in one environment.
Charles River also offers isolators for sale to research institutions.