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Aging Animal and Functional Assessment Core



The Animal Core provides leadership, innovation, facilities and an expertly trained staff to enable investigators to provide foundational resources for studies in mammalian aging centered on gerotherapeutic application and delineation of biology of aging mechanisms. The Core addresses significant barriers encountered by investigators in aging research by providing: 1) dedicated animal facilities for aging studies in rodents and nonhuman primates managed by a staff specifically trained to breed, maintain, administer experimental diets and drugs, and conduct lifespan studies; 2) access to animal models of specific interest to geroscience, including aged rodents, naked mole-rats, and common marmosets and to resources to measure functional aging; 3) decades of experience among its leadership in designing interventional studies in both rodents and nonhuman primates; and 4) integration of oversight and cooperation with other cores of the SA NSC to ensure seamless advancement of studies.

Please be aware that your Protocol must be amended for the service request. Please contact the Core Leaders for more information on protocol modification. For external investigators, our staff will assist in designing, preparing and administering animal protocols at UT Health San Antonio.


The animal core provides research access to animals (and biobanked tissues) from mice, rats, naked mole-rats, Damaraland mole-rats, and marmosets.

Services Include:

  • Consultation, training and developmental opportunities, including development and design of approaches using these animals with interested investigators including animal use protocols.
  • Breeding, genotyping, and maintaining animals to any age requested by investigator.
  • Conducting lifespan studies of genetically, nutritionally, or pharmacologically manipulated animals (mice and rats).
  • Administration of gerotherapeutics and assessment of phenotypic outcomes (all animals).
  • Healthspan assessment across lifespan and integrating multiple functional modalities (mice, rats, marmosets).
  • Dedicated assessment of effects of circadian time on outcomes; modification of circadian rhythm (mice and rats).
  • Co-ordination with other cores of the San Antonio Nathan Shock Center to provide horizontal integration of aging studies (all animals).
  • Assistance with manuscript & grant preparations.
  • Administrative oversight on all animal studies.