The human body relies on beneficial microorganisms to help us digest food, ensure a strong immune system and even protect against harmful bacteria by maintaining a balanced microbial environment. Today, a significant portion of health sciences research focuses on the role of these microorganisms, collectively known as the microbiome, in human health.  The MEGF Core was implemented in 2018 to meet the needs of this growing research area by providing investigators with germ-free animal models to further their understanding of the microbiome.

The MEGF Core's germ-free or gnotobiotic mice spend their lives in aseptic conditions, consuming only sterilized air, food and water. Gnotobiotic mouse models offer a key benefit in microbiome research by allowing scientists to study the effects of specific microbes or defined microbial communities in a controlled environment. Because these mice are germ-free or have only known microbes, researchers can precisely link microbial composition to physiological or disease outcomes. Contact the MEGF Core for support with gnotobiotic animal models. The MEGF Core also assists in the completion of experiments that require a mouse model.