The 2nd quarter has just ended and we have reached the $1 million revenue mark in record time! We have been busy working on several exciting studies for clients new and old, and we are on track to meet or exceed our highest grossing year. We thank you for your support and look forward to continuing to provide you with top-notch service and data you can trust.

 

We are also happy to announce that TransPharm has reopened our doors to client visits. During the worst of the pandemic, we put a hold on client visits in order to prioritize the health and safety of our team. Now that vaccines are readily available and vaccination rates are increasing, we would love to welcome you back to tour our lab and vivarium and learn more about the work we do. Contact us to schedule your visit to our facility in the beautiful Irish Hills of south central Michigan.

 

TransPharm performs efficacy testing of novel antimicrobial therapeutics in mice and rats, and some specialized studies – such as those with VRE, CRE, or C. difficile – require animals with specific microbiomes. While the average mouse or rat is home to trillions of commensal bacteria and fungi in places like the skin, nose, and gut, germ-free animals are devoid of these microbes. Alternatively, gnotobiotic animals have a known and defined flora.

 

In order to maintain these conditions, the animals’ environment must be carefully controlled. TransPharm uses freestanding bioBubble® clean rooms in our vivarium to house gnotobiotic and germ-free mice for microbiome studies. These soft-walled, positive pressure enclosures are attached to energy-efficient motors which allow the bubble to undergo 80-100 air changes per hour of HEPA-filtered air. The walls are made of clear vinyl, allowing visual access without compromising biocontainment, and the entire system is extremely durable. Our bioBubbles® have been in continuous operation for nearly 12 years.

 

Before and after studies, empty bioBubbles® and study supplies are sterilized using a HaloFogger®. This device transforms a liquid, non-toxic disinfectant into a fine mist of ionized particles that are distributed throughout the bubble, disinfecting every exposed surface.

 

Stringent testing mechanisms are in place to verify that gnotobiotic animals remain germ-free throughout the duration of studies. To monitor for contamination, fresh feces are regularly collected and plated for colony forming unit (CFU) enumeration.

 

TransPharm has run numerous studies using germ-free mice and custom validations are available upon request. Contact us today for more information or to request a free, no-obligation quote for your germ-free or gnotobiotic study.

 

In addition to complying with local, state, and federal regulations on animal research, TransPharm is proud to be accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). AAALAC is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.

 

Every three years, our facility undergoes a thorough inspection to ensure that we are not only meeting the minimum standards required by law, but also going above and beyond to achieve excellence in animal care and well-being. We are pleased to announce that our May 2021 site visit went very well and AAALAC has once again recommended full accreditation for our facility.

 

Many advancements in medicine and science would not be possible without animal research, and TransPharm is proud to contribute to this progress in a responsible and ethical way.