The BioSiS department of the CRAN is developing a priority research project on the interactions between radiation and biological tissues. This axis is highly interdisciplinary, bringing together biologists, signal processors, radiophysicists, and clinicians whose areas of expertise are very complementary. In this axis, the objectives are:
— to optimize and evaluate, on preclinical models, alternative and innovative therapeutic strategies, combining nanoparticles and radiation (ionizing or non-ionizing), to treat adult and pediatric brain tumors;
— to model and control in real time the effects of radiation therapies on tumor growth or recurrence.
On June 15, 2017, the CRAN obtained the renewal of its approval as a user establishment of animals for scientific purposes (approval number: D 54-547-03). Thus, our establishment is approved for the housing of immunodeficient mice and rats, in connection with research conducted in experimental oncology. Projects using animals for scientific purposes mainly focus on the evaluation of innovative therapeutic strategies to treat cancers, particularly brain tumors. Before starting, our animal experimentation projects are submitted to the opinion of an ethics committee (Committee n° 66 CELMEA) and must obtain prior authorization established by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
Animal experimentation projects are conducted in compliance with the rules laid down by European Directive 2010/63/EU transposed into French law in the decree of February 1, 2013 by personnel with the specific training required (DU EA level 1 or level 2, surgery certificate, etc.). Access to the animal facility is strictly reserved for persons authorized to experiment on animals.
Currently, our establishment consists of 2 housing rooms, each equipped with simple racks, ventilated racks or ventilated cabinets capable of accommodating up to 300 animals simultaneously. The experimentation room allows for surgeries on rodents such as stereotaxic injections of tumor cells into the brain.
