The mission of the Tree Shrew Core (TSC) is (1) to ensure the availability of tree shrews for eye and vision research at UAB and (2) to expand the use of this near-to-primate animal at UAB and nationally. Because tree shrews are more closely related to humans than are mice and rats, studies in tree shrews have an increased likelihood of providing information that can be translated to humans.
Director
Rafael Grytz, PhD
205-996-8687
The TSC is overseen by the TSC Committee, which is comprised of faculty from the Department of Optometry and Vision Science and the Department of Ophthalmology.
Managers
Johanna L. Henry
205-995-5918
Russell S. Veale
205-995-5918
Services
Tree shrews are small mammals (150-220 grams) that are closely related to primates. They have large eyes, a large lissencephalic brain, are highly mobile and can be trained in behavioral tasks. They grow quickly (sexual maturity at about 5 months) live 5-8 years, are highly-visual animals that have been used as animal models in over 1000 publications, mostly involving vision and neurobiology. They are attractive to investigators looking for a model in which to test potential drug therapies for glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, age-related macular degeneration, and other conditions where their close relationship to primates and lower costs are a distinct advantage over other models.
The Tree Shrew Core maintains a breeding colony of tree shrews that produces 80 - 130 young tree shrews each year. Juvenile animals are available, as are young adult and, from time to time, retired breeders (1 - 6 years old) become available.
Animals provided to the current established investigators cost $700 each. Available animals will be offered to established investigators fist.
To encourage new investigators at UAB to begin using tree shrews and collect pilot data in support of intramural or extramural grant applications, up to 10 animals can be made available at a cost of $50 each. To become a pilot investigator, please submit a paragraph to the TSC Director explaining how using these pilot studies may lead to extramural grant funding using tree shrews. Pilot investigators will be notified when animals unclaimed by established investigators are becoming available.
The cost and transfer details for national investigators will be evaluated case by case. National investigators that are interested in obtaining tree shrews form the UAB TSC should contact the TSC Director by submitting a paragraph explaining how the animals will be used and how many animals will be requested.
All investigators are responsible to have an approved IACUC protocol for their tree shrew use.
The TSC Managers maintain the breeding colony, manage transfers between the colony and the investigators, and, in cooperation with the investigator, can assist with training of students and technicians in animal handling and methods of data collection and data analysis.
Service Types
- Research Support
Service Scope: UAB Internal Only
Eqiupment/ Resources: The Tree Shrew Core is housed in Volker Hall. The TSC contains instruments for refractive measures (Nidek autorefractor), measures of ocular component dimensions (Lenstar optical biometer), IOP measurement (Tonolab), and ophthalmic imaging using Optical Coherence Tomography (Heidelberg Spectralis). It is equipped with instruments for minor procedures on anesthetized animals.
Supporting Grants: The established investigators are currently supported by multiple R01 and R21 grants from the National Eye Institute.