The Small Animal Behavior Core (SABC) is a state-of-the-art facility at Augusta University designed to serve as a time-efficient and cost-effective service for researchers in need of behavioral analyses in small animals (specifically mice or rats). The SABC facility is composed of approximately 3000 square feet of space divided into 4 testing rooms plus animal housing quarters in the Dugas building (i.e., rooms BG1135A-E) located on the Health Sciences Campus. The SABC provides expertise in all aspects related to the design and implementation of behavioral experiments as well as data analysis and interpretation.
The core is equipped to accommodate a full battery of behavioral tests relevant to learning and memory, attention, executive function, sensory gating, place/fear conditioning, motor function, nociception, and anxiety and depression-related behaviors etc. The following tests are examples of those currently offered: Anxiety-Related Behavior Tests (elevated plus-maze and light/dark preference - emergence neophobia), memory, attention, executive function-related tests (spatial learning & memory - Morris Water Maze, - Radial Arm Maze, passive or inhibitory avoidance, pre-pulse inhibition, Y Maze, fear conditioning, two-trial novel object recognition task, five-choice serial reaction time task), Motor Function Tests (open field locomotor activity, Rota rod, grip strength), and tests of nociception (tail flick, thermal sensitivity test), tests for gastrointestinal malaise, conditioned taste aversion).
The SABC also houses two imaging devices located in CB-2110, 1) the Fujifilm Vevo 3100-LAZR-X which is a multi-modal in vivo imaging platform combining low to ultra-high frequency ultrasound and photoacoustics, capable of facilitating the assessment of Blood Flow, Organ Perfusion Cerebral & Cardiac Hemodynamics Tumor angiogenesis; 2) Iconeus One, which utilizes functional ultrasound specifically for neuroscience-related assessments including resting state functional connectivity, vascular and functional neuroimaging, neuropharmacological effects in the brain, etc.
The SABC testing facility is operated within the centralized animal care program of the Division of Laboratory Animal Services at AU/MCG.
Small Animal Behavior Core
Health Sciences Campus
706-721-6390
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Augusta University is a state and federally funded institution and as such we are subject to certain disclosure laws concerning any research activities conducted on this campus. However, we operate in a very professional manner and do not make any unnecessary disclosures of our clients data.
Yes, under certain circumstances we can assist a client in arranging the purchase of the animals needed for their research. In such cases, the charges for animal purchase are factored into the final invoice.
All clients (internal and external) are required to fill out the service request form. The core director will provide a formal quote for services on an individual basis after evaluating a client's particular needs. The following fees are provided as a general guideline. Discounts may apply if a battery of tests are requested or an extensive or ongoing project is undertaken. The fees listed do not include animal purchase or animal per diems. Those prices will vary depending on the number of subjects and the time required for testing and will be factored into the final invoice.
| Small Animal Behavior Core Services | AU and Affiliates, and Other Federally Supported Research Universities | Private Research Companies and All Other Clients |
|---|---|---|
| Technician Services (includes acclimatizing* the animals, performing the tests, and compiling and organizing the data) |
$75/hr | $125/hr |
| Professional Services (includes consultation time with the Director, and statistical analysis and graphic presentation of the data gathered) |
$250/hr | $250/hr |
* Animals must be brought to the center a minimum of 5 days prior to testing in order to acclimate the animals to the technicians and their surroundings. This process includes the technicians handling the animals for several minutes each day.
