The Jackson Laboratory maintains animal facilities at several barrier levels that ensure the health and well-being of our animal colonies. Below are the husbandry and animal-health restrictions that apply to each barrier level.
All Barriers:
- Sterilized autoclaved or irradiated feed
- Acidified drinking water
- Steam-sterilized bedding
- Microisolator caging
- Mouse transfer by disinfected forceps
- Strict barrier sanitation of caging equipment through tunnel washers
- Restricted entry
Production, Repository and Breeding Services Facilities
Maximum Barrier:
- Sterilized individually ventilated caging
- Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
- Sterilized feed and drinking water
- Air-shower entry
- Change into clean room processed scrubs, smock, and shoes, gloves, and air hat or mask, cap, and face shield
High Barrier:
- Sterilized individually ventilated caging
- Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
- Sterilized feed and drinking water
- Air or wet shower entry
- Change into clean room processed scrubs and shoes, gloves, mask, and cap
Standard Barrier:
- Static or individually ventilated caging
- Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
- Sterilized feed and drinking water
- Change into scrubs and shoes; gloves, mask, cap
Research Animal Facility
Elevated Barrier:
- Sterilized individually ventilated caging
- Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
- Steam sterilized or irradiated feed
- Sterilized drinking water
- Air-shower entry
- Change into scrubs, sterilized gown, gloves, mask, cap, and sterilized shoes/shoe covers
Intermediate Barrier:
- Static or individually ventilated caging
- Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
- Wear gown, gloves, mask, cap, and sterilized shoes/shoe covers
Low Barrier:
- Static or individually ventilated caging
- Wear gown; gloves
Preclinical Services Facility
High Barrier:
- Static or individually ventilated caging
- Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
- Air or wet shower entry
- Gloves, mask, cap, change into clean room processed scrubs, sterilized lab coat, and sterilized shoes/shoe covers