Equipment

Fully Ventilated Caging Systems

Explora uses the highest quality caging systems for housing laboratory animals. Individually ventilated  rodent caging systems are used throughout our vivarium. Air is HEPA filtered prior to entering individual cages, and HEPA filtered again after exiting each cage. Systems like these protect both study subjects as well as working scientists. 

Innovive^TM Disposable/Recyclable Cages

Explora uses 100% PETE single-use cages that are light weight, ergonomic for both husbandry staff and working scientists, and provide excellent visibility for health checks. Third-party research shows that these cages have 5X lower levels of ammonia and carbon dioxide buildup than traditional systems and yield better breeding results (vendor supplied information). 

Because the cages are fully disposable and recyclable, Explora is able to dramatically reduce the amount of water, chemical and energy use typically associated with traditional caging system. In addition to being "green," Innovive caging systems also ensure the highest standards of contamination containment.

Air Flow Control

Explora makes extensive use of the latest rodent caging technologies. The air flow control unit of our caging system allows precise setting of the number of air exchange per hour, and the pressure differential between the intake and exhaust motors. By adjusting the proper pressure differential, we can tightly control air escape from cages and minimize cross contamination in critical housing conditions required by BSL-2 (biosafety level 2) operations.

Light-Dark Cycle Control Module

The light-dark cycle plays an extremely important role in animal physiology.  All Explora's vivarium rooms are under an automated light cycle control.  This system is designed to be both robust and adaptable.  It can be programmed to suit your specific experimental needs.

Environmental Control

A stable housing environment is crucial to any biological research. Each of our vivarium rooms is under strict environmental control and monitoring. In addition to individual temperature and humidity gauges in every room, a central computerized monitoring system keeps track of the temperature in each room, and displays it on a visual map. Facility maintenance personnel are immediately notified via the internet if any room deviates from its preset values. Historical data are also recorded and archived by this system.

Automated Water System

An automated reverse osmosis (RO) water system is available in select areas of our vivarium. This system is controlled by an alarm system and dedicated electronics. As part of our quality control procedures, water supplies to the facility are regularly checked for biological loads to ensure the quality of drinking water for our colonies.

Automated Cage Washer

Explora's Norstar pass-through automated cage washer can handle sizeable numbers of rodent cages, as well as cages for larger species. Our high-throughput cage washing ensures prompt processing of soiled caging supplies, which helps maintain the cleanliness of our facilities.

Surgical Equipment

Explora's procedure rooms feature surgery lights, anesthesia equipment, various surgical instruments and dissecting scopes to support most common surgical procedures.  We have well trained surgeons capable of performing many delicate animal surgeries, including cannulation, full thickness dermal excision, blood vessel occlusion (stroke model), stereotaxic injection, etc.  Explora's scientists are also available to assist our clients' surgeons with their procedures. 

Cell Culture Equipment

Explora's facility is equipped with two cell culture rooms featuring high quality Leica microscopes with fluorescence and digital imaging capabilities.  One of the cell culture rooms is designated for BSL-2 procedures, and is available for use in infectious disease models.  The other cell culture room and certain vivarium rooms are also licensed for studies using radioisotopes.  Explora will handle all safety and waste management issues so clients can focus on their research rather than mundane lab management issues.