◆ Platform Capabilities
The Animal Models & Human Disease Research Platform brings together an industry expert team of over 40 people, including 12 PhDs, 20 Masters, and 10 senior title holders. Disciplines covered include microbiology, veterinary medicine, laboratory animal science, zoology, immunology, pharmacology, precision medicine, neurosurgery, etc. It co-established the Non-Human Primate Center for Drug Preclinical Pharmacodynamics Evaluation with the Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences. The institute has facilities covering 10,000 square meters, including large and small animal operating rooms, animal biosafety laboratories. Animal models cover rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, monkeys, pigs, etc.
◆ Service Content
● Ophthalmic Disease Models
● Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Models
● Immune and Inflammatory Disease Models
● Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Models
● Respiratory System Disease Models
● Nervous System Disease Models
● In Vivo and In Vitro Tumor Models
● Digestive System Disease Models
● Dental Disease Models
● Large and Small Animal Surgical Services
● Biosafety Level 2 and Below Biosafety Tests
◆ Technical Capabilities
Published over 60 papers, including more than 30 SCI papers in renowned journals such as npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, Cell Reports, Pain, Biomaterials, Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics, and edited 3 academic monographs. Awarded 1 Third Prize of Guangdong Natural Science Award; obtained 8 authorized national invention patents and 4 international invention patents.
◆ Instruments & Equipment
◆ Research Experience
● Cardiovascular Disease NHP Model - Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO)
Stroke, known as the “number one killer of human health”, commonly called “apoplexy”, is one of the major causes of human death worldwide. In China, there are over 3 million new stroke cases annually, with approximately 1.5 million deaths.
Using the pterional approach, MCAO cynomolgus monkey models with occlusion of different segments can be selectively prepared. After modeling, animals exhibit typical contralateral hemiplegia symptoms, consistent with clinical disease characteristics. The success rate for preparing MCAO cynomolgus monkey models is close to 100%.
● Spontaneous Disease NHP Animal Models
Spontaneous Age-related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD)
AMD is divided into dry AMD and wet AMD. It has become one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60, known as the “vision killer” for the elderly, and is permanent and irreversible.
Currently, there are 196 million patients worldwide. By 2040, the global number of AMD patients is projected to reach 288 million.
● Metabolic Disease NHP Model - Hyperlipidemia
Simulates human dietary habits. Using a high-sugar, high-fat emulsion, continuous intervention can prepare stable hyperlipidemia cynomolgus monkey models. In the hyperlipidemia animal model, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are significantly elevated, with a success rate of approximately 85%.
Model Advantages:
Simulates human dietary structure. The hyperlipidemia cynomolgus monkey model prepared through sustained high-fat dietary intervention aligns with the clinical characteristics of hyperlipidemia onset.
● Nervous System Disease NHP Model -- Spinal Cord Injury
Model Advantages:
● Injury is at the lower cervical segment, not affecting the animal’s respiratory movement.
● This model only causes motor dysfunction on one side of the animal’s limbs, while the other side functions normally, not affecting the animal’s basic life activities, resulting in better animal welfare.
●Operated under a surgical microscope, allowing precise targeting of a specific segment, beneficial for post-operative recovery.
● Can precisely damage the target segment according to the volume of autologous or synthetic biomaterial needed for implantation in the injury area.
● Nervous System Disease NHP Model – Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in the middle-aged and elderly population reaches 1.7%-3%, second only to Alzheimer’s disease. By the end of 2022, the number of PD patients in China exceeded 3 million.By 2030, the number of PD patients in China is projected to reach 5 million.
Using the MPTP sustained-release method to prepare chronic PD cynomolgus monkey models. About 1 month after administration, model monkeys exhibit typical symptoms such as obvious tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia, consistent with clinical PD characteristics. The success rate for preparing PD cynomolgus monkey models is approximately 75%.
Hoehn and Yahr Scoring | Normal | PD |
Facial Expression | 0 | 1 |
Resting Tremor | 0 | 1 |
Action or Intention Tremor | 0 | 1 |
Posture | 0 | 3 |
Gait | 0 | 3 |
Bradykinesia (General) | 0 | 2 |
Balance/Coordination | 0 | 1 |
Gross Motor Ability of Upper Limbs | 0 | 1 |
Gross Motor Ability of Lower Limbs | 0 | 1 |
Defensive Reaction | 0 | 2 |
Total Score | 0 | 16 |
● Retinoblastoma Model
Retinoblastoma is a common primary malignant tumor occurring in the eyes of infants and young children. It is highly malignant and prone to systemic metastasis. Our institute has successfully established a mouse retinoblastoma model, validated effective by drugs, and this model has obtained an invention patent.
● Retinitis Pigmentosa Model
Successful induction of stable retinitis pigmentosa in minipigs following administration of sodium iodate solution. Targeted atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and targeted induction of permanent, irreversible apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in minipigs can be achieved within 1 week.
● Macular Degeneration Model
New Zealand rabbits can develop macular degeneration-like changes after injection of NalO3 solution, with no signs of recovery observed for over 26 weeks. Injection of DL-AAA solution can induce macular degeneration-like changes with appropriate severity, and no signs of recovery have been observed for over 26 weeks.
● Canine Alveolar Bone Defect Model
Canine Alveolar Bone Defect
The alveolar bone defect site was sutured, showing no inflammation or gingival recession; the cementum at the alveolar bone defect site was significantly deficient and filled with connective tissue.
● Periodontitis Model
● Dental Plaque and Calculus Scoring
