AquaCore | Universitätsklinikum Freiburg

Welcome to the Aquatic Core Facility for Zebrafish and Xenopus research - AquaCore (RI_00544)

The mission of the Aquatic Core Facility (AquaCore) is to provide scientists with a state-of-the-art platform to conduct aquatic animal experiments (Xenopus laevis, Xenopus tropicalis, Danio rerio). Researchers are provided with infrastructure to experiment in accordance with EU and national legal requirements. Above all, the facility staff are implementing new strategies according to the ʻ3Rʼprinciple (reduce, replace, refine) in laboratory animal science.

AquaCore provides highest levels of care and expertise to aquatic animals used in research and teaching. The facility team supports scientists with expert advice and counseling in planning and realizing studies. AquaCore’s services include animal housing, microinjection and microscopy workstations, cryopreservation, and scientific training for aquatic animal science. The efficient use of shared research infrastructure optimizes the resources of the individual groups while maximizing the performance of the AquaCore facility.

The range of services offered includes animal housing and care, access to microinjection and microscopy workstations, cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization, Xenopus oocyte service, and wild-type animal breeding. These services are available upon request and require an active animal experimentation permit (Tiervesuchsantrag). Therefore, access is limited to researchers that have undergone an official training course according to the FELASA recommendations. Education and training is a key aspect of AquaCore's mission to support professional competence in personnel working with animals and the implementation of the 3Rs. Researchers that are keen to work with zebrafish or Xenopus need to be certified in Laboratory Animal Use according to the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) and courses are offered locally by AquaCore staff in cooperation with the University Freiburg Medical Faculty (TVA courses Freiburg).

For appointments, further information as well as the Terms of Use ("Nutzerordnung"), please contact the AquaCore team - We are happy to help!