Model Biobank & Tissue Analytics Platform

The LCSB Model Biobank & Tissue Analytics Platform gives researchers access to high-quality brain, blood and organ samples from mouse and zebrafish models of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases studied at the LCSB. The samples are suitable for a wide range of applications, including omics studies, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, and neuropathology.

The platform also offers expert support for study design, planning, and grant writing, along with training and consulting in the neuropathological analysis of mouse brain tissue.
We collaborate closely with the Rodent and Zebrafish facilities to ensure alignment across protocols and operations. While the Rodent and Zebrafish facilities focuses on “in-life” procedures and care, the Model Biobank & Tissue Analytics Platform covers on the “pre-life” and “post-life” phases of research.

The platform supports studies on neurodegenerative diseases, while advancing the ethical and efficient use of animal models in line with the 3Rs principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine).

Services

Animal models, despite their limitations, remain essential for studying chronic, systemic processes that cannot yet be fully replicated in vitro. To help researchers navigate these complexities, the platform provides two key services:

The platform manages a centralised biobank of brain, blood, and organ samples from rodent and zebrafish models. This shared resource supports collaborative and standardized research while reducing redundant animal use in line with the 3R principles. All information about the samples will be stored in a database and can be searched, including relevant metadata – in line with the strategy of data FAIRIFICATION. This ensures that high-quality biospecimens are readily accessible to researchers at the LCSB and beyond.

The platform also offers guidance in selecting and using appropriate genetic or induced models of AD and PD. Support includes study design, data interpretation, and ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory guidelines. This is particularly aimed at helping researchers less familiar with in vivo approaches.