|
The Medical Research Institute was established to contribute to
the advancement of medicine and promotion of health by performing
investigations in medical and its related areas. Its main operational
goals are;
Academic studies in medicine and related fields
Facilitation of research communication
Information service on research
Publishing services including periodicals
Rendering various academic forums such as academic and research
seminars, and
medical educational meetings for the general public.
Samsung Biomedical Research Institute
The Samsung Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI) was established
in 1995 by the physicians, basic scientists and biomedical engineers
of the Samsung Medical Group. The institute's vision is to contribute
to the advancement of medical services and human welfare through
the integration of medical science and modern technology. In addition,
the institute aims to provide new business areas of bio-pharmaceutical
and bioengineering in the 21st century through research and development
of life science and medical technology. The institute is roughly
divided into 2 fields: Center for Molecular Research and Center
for Clinical Research.
The Center for Molecular Research, headed by Professor Jung Don
Seo now has four main laboratories, Nucleic Acid Biochemistry Laboratory,
Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Molecular Virology Laboratory,
and Molecular Genetics Laboratory. The Center for Clinical Research
directed by Professor Jong Chul Rhee has four major parts, Clinical
Research Laboratory, Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory, Experimental
Animal Facility, and Biomedical Statistics. The Clinical Research
Laboratory has various study groups for Cancer Research, Cardiovascular
Research, Metabolic Research, Genetic Disease Research, Gastrointestinal
Research, Musculoskeletal System Research, Infectious Disease Research,
and Transplantation Research.
SBRI is engaged in various dynamic research projects and the many
publications are proof of hard and creative works.
Laboratory Animal Research Center (LARC) & Facility for Genetically
Engineered Mice (FGEM)
The Laboratory Animal Research Center (LARC) is one of the key
components of Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine (SKKUSM),
and is responsible for all animal care and use at its site. In addition
to the animal care needs of SKKUSM including Basic Medicine, Clinical
Medicine, and the Center for Molecular Research of Samsung Biomedical
Research Institute (SBRI), the LARC supports the laboratory animal
care needs of other Samsung Medical Center (SMC) research groups
and investigators.
The SKKUSM's facility is situated in an environmentally controlled
building. The building is dedicated to biomedical studies using
rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, pigs and dogs.
The first underground floor of the building is dedicated to the
FGEM which houses breeding colonies of genetically engineered mice
and also assigned for laboratories for genetic engineering, embryo
manipulation, gamma-irradiator room, administration office and other
supporting facilities. The second underground floor is assigned
to housing rats, mice, hamsters, guinea-pigs, gerbils, rabbits,
pigs and dogs as well as laboratories for laboratory animal medicine,
office rooms and some supporting facilities. This floor also has
a Biosafety Level 3 Infection animal room and its supporting facilities.
The animal research facility in the first underground floor of the
LARC facility is about 13,916 ft2 (1,296 m2). The conventional animal
area for rabbits, dogs and pigs is about 794 ft2 (73 m2). The Semi-clean
area for rats and mice is about 995 ft2 (96 m2) while the barrier-sustained
area for mice and rats is about 2,177 ft2 (207 m2).
There are a surgical suite for aseptic surgery, a necropsy room,
a gamma-irradiator room, a Biological Safety Level 3 infection room,
a refrigerated food and bedding storage room, and a freezing carcass
storage room. The animal research facility is routinely accessed
via the security checkup that limits access. Traffic into and out
of the facility is always monitored through a Computer system and
CCD cameras.
Currently, FGEM is capable of producing approximately 50 trangenic
mice per year and carries more than 50 founder mice of 20 trangenic
mouse lines as well as 16 different knockout mice each in 2 or 3
different genetic backgrounds.
|