Find answers to common questions
From obtaining quotations and ensuring data quality to regulatory requirements, veterinary authorizations, imaging technologies, telemetry, and facility policies, our FAQs provide practical guidance to help you get started and move your project forward.
General FAQs
We conduct preclinical studies that integrate the development of pathophysiological models (microsurgery) with functional explorations, particularly using imaging by ultrasound, electrocardiography (ECG), and telemetry.
We provide raw data, study reports, and scientific interpretations according to the needs of the project.
The timeline depends on the complexity of the protocol, the models used, and the resources required.
Yes, we can assist researchers in designing experimental protocols, selecting relevant endpoints, and choosing the most appropriate methodologies.
Our team works according to standardized procedures using equipment that is regularly qualified, calibrated, and maintained.
Yes, we can integrate ultrasound, ECG, telemetry, and other physiological measurements within a multimodal approach.
You can contact us by describing your scientific objectives, the species involved, and the parameters to be measured.
No, we can also collaborate with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
FAQs on Pathophysiological Models
Our platform provides a range of pathophysiological models for the study of cardiovascular, metabolic, inflammatory, oncological diseases, and other therapeutic areas. The choice of model depends on the scientific objectives of the study.
Yes. We can develop or adapt experimental models according to your scientific needs, evaluation criteria, and research program objectives.
Yes. The models implemented on our platform are selected for their robustness, reproducibility, and scientific relevance.
Yes. We can integrate different assessment techniques, such as ultrasound imaging, ECG, telemetry, and imaging modalities, to obtain a comprehensive characterization of the phenotype under study.
Yes. We can transfer, optimize, and implement protocols developed by our partners to meet the specific needs of their research programs.
The timeline depends on the complexity of the model, the required validation steps, and the scientific criteria defined with the researcher. A development plan is established at the start of each project.
Yes. We are involved from the earliest stages of the project, helping define experimental objectives, study strategy, and the most relevant evaluation parameters.
Yes. We can design pilot studies to assess feasibility, optimize protocols, and mitigate scientific risks before initiating larger-scale studies.
Yes. Using our different equipment for physiological assessment, repeated measurements can be performed in the same animals over time to monitor disease progression or treatment response.
Yes. We have extensive expertise in cardiovascular functional assessment and in developing models suited to the study of cardiac and vascular diseases.
Yes. Our models can be used for pharmacology studies, proof-of-concept projects, therapeutic efficacy evaluations, and preclinical safety assessments.
We prioritize approaches that closely reproduce pathophysiological mechanisms observed in humans and select the most relevant endpoints and assessment criteria for the project’s objectives.
Absolutely. Developing new models and adapting existing protocols are core areas of our expertise. We work closely with researchers to build experimental solutions tailored to their scientific questions.
Services/Expertise
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FAQs on Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasound imaging enables the evaluation of organ structure and function, including cardiac, vascular, renal, hepatic, and tumor assessments.
Yes. Echocardiography can be used to assess cardiac morphology and function, including ventricular dimensions, ejection fraction, cardiac output, and blood flow parameters.
No. Ultrasound is a non-invasive technique that allows repeated measurements and longitudinal monitoring throughout a study.
Yes. Ultrasound imaging is particularly valuable for monitoring disease development and treatment responses over time.
Ultrasound provides real-time in vivo information and allows repeated assessments in the same animal, reducing variability and supporting longitudinal studies.
Yes. Images, videos, and quantitative analysis results can be included in the final dataset and study report.
In Vivo Services
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FAQs on Ultrasound-Guided Injections
Ultrasound-guided injections provide real-time visualization of the target tissue and needle position, enabling highly accurate administration.
Ultrasound-guided procedures are fully aligned with the principles of Refinement and Reduction. Greater injection accuracy reduces procedural burden on animals, minimizes tissue trauma, and improves data quality, potentially reducing the number of animals required to achieve reliable scientific outcomes.
In many applications, yes. Ultrasound guidance can provide a minimally invasive alternative to surgical approaches by allowing researchers to access deep tissues and organs without extensive surgical intervention, reducing recovery time and procedural impact.
Real-time imaging allows precise needle placement while avoiding surrounding tissues, blood vessels, and sensitive anatomical structures. This contributes to reduced procedural stress, lower risk of complications, and improved animal welfare.
Yes. Improved targeting accuracy and procedural reproducibility can reduce data variability and increase study robustness. In addition, repeated administrations and longitudinal follow-up can often be performed in the same animal, supporting Reduction strategies.
Yes. Ultrasound-guided administration can be combined with repeated imaging and functional assessments in the same animal over time, allowing disease progression and treatment response to be monitored while limiting the need for additional cohorts.
A wide range of organs and tissues can be targeted, including the heart, skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, vasculature, tumors, and other anatomical sites, depending on the scientific objectives of the study.
Yes. We design and optimize administration protocols tailored to your study objectives, target organ, animal model, and desired endpoints.
In Vivo Services
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FAQs on Electrocardiography
ECG is used to evaluate cardiac electrical activity and detect abnormalities in heart rhythm, conduction, and repolarization.
We can assess heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, corrected QT (QTc), and other relevant electrophysiological parameters.
Yes. Protocols can be designed for acute assessments or longitudinal follow-up studies.
Yes. ECG measurements are performed under anesthesia, while taking potential physiological effects into account during data interpretation. If anesthesia is not suitable, telemetry devices must be used.
Yes. ECG is an essential tool for assessing cardiovascular safety and detecting potential proarrhythmic effects of investigational compounds.
In Vivo Services – Functional Exploration
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FAQs on Blood Pressure & Heart Rate Measurements
We provide measurements of blood pressure and heart rate in laboratory animals using non-invasive and invasive techniques, depending on the scientific objectives of the study.
Yes. We use validated non-invasive tail-cuff systems for the measurement of systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure, as well as heart rate in conscious animals.
Non-invasive monitoring is well suited for longitudinal studies, routine phenotyping, and drug efficacy assessments where repeated measurements are required without surgical intervention.
Yes. We perform direct blood pressure measurements using arterial catheterization, which provides highly accurate real-time hemodynamic data and is considered the reference method for blood pressure assessment.
Yes. We can perform blood pressure and heart rate monitoring using implantable telemetry systems, allowing continuous data collection in freely moving animals with minimal stress.
Telemetry enables long-term, continuous recording of cardiovascular parameters in conscious, unrestrained animals, making it particularly valuable for pharmacology, safety studies, and circadian rhythm investigations.
The choice depends on your study objectives, the required level of accuracy, the duration of monitoring, and animal welfare considerations. We can help you select the most appropriate method for your research needs
In Vivo Services – Functional Exploration
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FAQs on Telemetry
Telemetry is a technology that enables continuous remote monitoring of physiological parameters in conscious, freely moving animals.
Depending on the configuration, telemetry systems can monitor ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, activity, and other physiological parameters.
Telemetry allows continuous data collection under physiologically relevant conditions while minimizing handling-related stress.
Yes. Telemetry is widely recognized as a reference method for the assessment of cardiovascular function and drug safety.
Yes. Continuous monitoring can be conducted over hours, days, or weeks depending on the study requirements.
Yes. Recorded parameters can be monitored and analyzed throughout the study period.
Yes. Telemetry can be integrated with imaging, biological sampling, and other experimental procedures.
In Vivo Services – Functional Exploration
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FAQs on Veterinary Authorizations & Regulatory Requirements
Yes. All animal experiments must receive approval from the competent regulatory authorities before any experimental procedures begin.
The principal investigator of the project is responsible for submitting the application. Regulatory submissions must be filed in their name.
No. Regulatory applications must be submitted directly by the institution responsible for the project except for researcher based outside Switzerland. However, we can provide extensive support during the preparation process.
For researchers and companies located outside Switzerland, our facility can serve as the authorization holder and submit the veterinary license application to the relevant Swiss veterinary authorities on your behalf. We manage the regulatory process and support you in preparing the required documentation to ensure compliance with Swiss animal welfare regulations.
Yes. We regularly assist researchers in preparing the scientific and technical documentation required for regulatory submissions.
Yes. We provide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical information for all procedures performed on our platform, including microsurgery, ultrasound imaging, ECG, telemetry, and other experimental techniques.
Researchers should typically allow approximately 4 to 5 months for license preparation, regulatory review, and final approval.
No. Experimental procedures may only begin once official authorization has been granted by the competent authorities.
Significant protocol modifications may require an amendment or additional regulatory review. Our team can advise researchers throughout this process.
Veterinary Application Support
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FAQs on MIF Policy & Guidelines
Yes. All studies are conducted in accordance with applicable animal welfare regulations and institutional guidelines.
Yes. We actively promote the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement in all experimental activities.
We operate according to established quality procedures and use trained personnel, validated methodologies, and regularly maintained equipment.
All project-related information is treated as confidential. Confidentiality agreements can be established when required.
Unless otherwise specified in contractual agreements, study data belong to the researcher.
Researchers can contact our team with a project description, study objectives, animal model requirements, and desired endpoints. We will then prepare a customized proposal.
Members of our platform who make a significant scientific contribution to a project, such as study design, experimental work, data analysis, or interpretation, should be included as co-authors in resulting publications, in accordance with accepted scientific authorship guidelines.
Authorship expectations should be discussed and agreed upon at the beginning of the collaboration to ensure transparency for all parties.
No. Experimental procedures may only begin once official authorization has been granted by the competent authorities.
Significant protocol modifications may require an amendment or additional regulatory review. Our team can advise researchers throughout this process.
Policy & Guidelines
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