Germ Free & Gnotobiotic Platform
A core facility specializing in the development of germ free and gnotobiotic (known microbiome) animal models, with infrastructure and expertise for gnotobiotic research in healthy and diseased models.
Vision
Our vision is to harness the power of microbiome models for better living.
Mission
Our mission is to be leaders in germ free and gnotobiotic research through providing expertise, resources, and services. Our germ-free facility enables internal and external researchers, as well as industry partners, to perform state-of-the art in vivo microbiome research using experimental conditions with precise microbial status. Our expertise and resources in in vivo gnotobiotics allows for determination of mechanisms by which the microbiome causes chronic disease. The facility is set up with dedicated breeding and experimental rooms for performing germ-free, Level 1, and Level 2 gnotobiotic experiments. The IMC is facilitating the development of a global network of expertise and service to enable collaborations and partnerships that will promote translation of microbiome research. The IMC Germ Free & Gnotobiotic Platform will provide a basis for access to models, expertise, and information for microbiome research.
Key Areas of Research
Gnotobiotic experimental mice:
- Researchers and staff will receive training in gnotobiotic in vivo experimentation.
- A collection of inbred and outbred germ-free mice is available to researchers.
- Microbial colonizations with individual microbes, defined consortia, SPF, or human microbiotas are possible.
Axenic embryo transfer:
- We offer germ-free re-derivation of any mouse line through axenic two-cell stage embryo transfer.
Contract research
- We offer contract research services for internal as well as external customers including industry partners.
- We offer consulting services for planning germ-free and gnotobiotic experiments as well as consulting for planning and designing a germ-free unit
Personnel
Dr. Kathy McCoy, Scientific Director, International Microbiome Centre and Faculty Lead, Germ Free & Gnotobiotic Platform
Dr. Kathy McCoy is a Professor in the Cumming School of Medicine and Scientific Director of the International Microbiome Centre. She is also the Director of the germ-free research facility at the University of Calgary. Dr. McCoy is interested in the dynamic interplay between the gut microbiota and the innate and adaptive immune systems. Using germ-free and gnotobiotic mouse models, her research group aims to understand how exposure to intestinal microbes in early life educates and regulates the developing immune system, and how this impacts susceptibility to immune-mediated diseases such as allergy and autoimmunity.
Select Publications
Peiseler et al. Kupffer Cell-like Syncytia Replenish Resident Macrophage Function in the Fibrotic Liver. Science. 2023 Sep 8;381(6662):eabq5202
Zucoloto et al. Vascular Traffic Control of Neutrophil Recruitment to the Liver by Microbiota-Endothelium Crosstalk. Cell Rep. 2023 May 30;42(5):112507
Schlechte et al. Dysbiosis of a Microbiota-Immune Metasystem in Critical Illness is Associated with Nosocomial Infections. Nat Med. 2023 April;29(4):1017-1027
Brown et al. Microbiota Alters the Metabolome in an Age- and Sex-dependent Manner in Mice. Nat Commun. 2023 Mar 11;14(1):1348
Ignacio et al. Small Intestinal Resident Eosinophils Maintain Gut Homeostasis Following Microbial Colonization. Immunity. 2022 Jul 12;55(7):1250-1267
Sampsell et al. Exercise and Prebiotic Fiber Provide Gut Microbiota-driven Benefit in a Survivor to Germ-Free Mouse Translational Model of Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2022 May 31;14(11):2722
Tuplin et al. Dietary Fiber Combinations to Mitigate the Metabolic, Microbial, and Cognitive Imbalances Resulting from Diet-induced Obesity in Rats. FASEB J. 2022 May;36(5):e22269
McDonald et al. Programing of an Intravascular Immune Firewall by the Gut Microbiota Protects Against Pathogen Dissemination During Infection. Cell Host Microbe. 2020 Nov 11;28(5):660-668
Mager et al. Microbiome-derived Inosine Modulates Response to Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy. Science. 2020 Sep 18;369(6510):1481-1489
Van Tilburg Bernardes et al. Intestinal Fungi are Causally Implicated in Microbiome Assembly and Immune Development in Mice. Nat Commun. 2020 May 22; 11(1):2577
Honda et al. Perivascular Localization of Macrophages in the Intestinal Mucosa is Regulated by Nr4a1 and the Microbiome. Nat Commun. 2020 Mar 12;11(1):1329
Contact
Shaunna Huston, PhD Immunology
Director, Programs and Business
International Microbiome Centre
Email: imc@ucalgary.ca