Advancing Translational Research Through In Vivo Innovation: The Mouse Phenomics Resource Laboratory

The primary mission of the MPRL is to support researchers across the University of Calgary and industry partners by enabling rigorous, investigator-driven in vivo research. The lab not only supports existing murine models but also develops novel in vivo screening approaches and experimental systems that generate new, translationally relevant data.

Over the past decade, MPRL-supported research has contributed to significant advances in both basic biomedical insight and therapeutic translation, particularly in the study of acute and chronic gastrointestinal as well as other chronic inflammatory diseases. The lab has played a key role in uncovering molecular mechanisms that drive inflammation and pathogen dissemination, helping to identify potential drug targets across infectious and inflammatory disease models and settings.

Growth and Evolution Since 2011

The Mouse Phenomics Resource Laboratory was established in 2011 as a dedicated Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases resource platform focused on murine models of human disease. As the lab evolved, it relocated alongside other  Snyder Resource Laboratories into dedicated laboratory and shared office spaces. This co-location fostered closer collaboration, daily exchange of ideas and a more integrated approach to research support.

Today, the MPRL’s influence extends well beyond its original mandate. In addition to serving Snyder Institute members, the MPRL collaborates with associate members, staff and student researchers, as well as primary investigators across the University of Calgary. Under the leadership of Scientific Director Dr. Björn Petri, the MPRL has also established successful academic and industrial partnerships beyond the university, underscoring its reputation as a high-value translational research platform.

Reflecting on this collaborative approach, Dr. Hayley Gorman, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Chadee Lab, notes, “Working with the Mouse Phenomics Resource Lab has significantly elevated our research. The imaging capabilities have advanced numerous of our studies in different ways and have really let us visualize our research in our model systems. Dr. Petri does not just provide experimental support through next-generation technology but takes great care to understand the research questions and provide invaluable feedback.”

Expertise That Spans Disciplines

The Mouse Phenomics Resource Laboratory combines decades of collective expertise in murine model-related in vivo research. The team supports a wide range of disease models from acute and chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases as well as cancer and immune-related models, to drug dissemination and therapeutic response studies.

In addition to model development and phenotyping, the lab is well recognized for its strengths in imaging-driven experimental design. This includes intravital microscopy and optical non-invasive whole-body imaging that allow researchers to visualize biological processes in real time.

Close collaboration with the Live Cell Imaging (LCI) laboratory and team further strengthens the lab’s imaging capabilities, enabling sophisticated experimental approaches that bridge cellular and organismal biology.

 

Integrated Resource Collaboration and Reproducibility

While the Mouse Phenomics Resource Laboratory primarily supports specific pathogen–free mouse models within a biosafety level 2 environment, it also works with complementary platforms such as the International Microbiome Centre (ICM). These partnerships allow researchers to design complex experimental workflows that span multiple containment levels and technological platforms.

As Rita Hannawayya, a Research Associate in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, explains, “Collaborating with the Mouse Phenomics Resource Lab has felt less like working with a facility and more like joining a team of colleagues who are genuinely invested in our success.  Dr. Petri did not just provide technical support, but he listened and problem-solved alongside us. Having his expertise and encouragement has made our research not only stronger, but also more enjoyable."

A major strength of this integrated ecosystem is the shared use of state-of-the-art, non-invasive imaging technologies across platforms. This ensures consistency, quality control and reproducibility of data, even when experiments are conducted across multiple facilities.

 

“The Mouse Phenomics Resource Lab allowed our team to directly visualize the activity of specific targets within intact gut tissues. These approaches helped us close the loop between cause and effect in our studies and provided a spatial perspective that we couldn’t achieve with our lab’s current capabilities.” - Dr. Simon Hirota, Professor, Dept. of Physiology & Pharmacology, Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases

Looking to the future, the Mouse Phenomics Resource Laboratory aims to strengthen its existing platforms while expanding into new research directions. Planned initiatives include the integration of emerging in vivo and in vivo–in vitro interface models, such as cellular-based therapeutic systems.

Building on its solid foundation in non-invasive imaging, the MPRL is also exploring the adoption of advanced technologies, including body composition analyzers and ultrasound systems. These tools will enhance disease phenotyping capabilities and support precision therapeutic applications.

As Dr. Petri notes, “While institutional and university wide research support remains the primary focus, the MPRL is well positioned to expand its role in supporting external academic collaborators and industrial partners seeking specialized in vivo expertise.”

Through its collaborative philosophy, technical excellence and commitment to scientific rigor, the Mouse Phenomics Resource Laboratory continues to enable discoveries that advance biomedical and health research.

“The Mouse Phenomics Resource Lab has been a wonderful resource and an important contributor to our work. Dr. Petri has been a great and always well-organized and efficient collaborator with the highest standards who is a pleasure to work with.” - Dr. George Chaconas, Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases

Supporting Researchers at Every Stage

Investigators who collaborate with the MPRL come from a wide range of scientific backgrounds and career stages. Some arrive with established in vivo models and seek advanced analytical or imaging support beyond their own expertise. Others approach the lab when they are ready to translate in vitro or molecular discoveries into preclinical animal models for the first time.

In both cases, the lab operates as a collaborative scientific partner rather than a service-only facility. Researchers benefit not only from technical execution but also from experimental design consultation, troubleshooting and strategic guidance grounded in extensive in vivo experience.

“My lab has collaborated with the Mouse Phenomics Resource Lab to visualize immune dynamics during wound healing and how these differ during fibrotic versus regenerative healing outcomes. Besides the state-of-the-art equipment, the lab also boasts a highly skilled and personable team of staff scientists that have helped to expand the breadth and quality of our research program,” says Dr. Jeff Biernaskie, Professor, Regenerative and Veterinary Medicine.

“The Mouse Phenomics Resource Lab has positioned us at the forefront of innovative methods and resources, enabling us to generate knowledge with global impact.” - Dr. Eduardo Cobo, Associate Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The lab also contributes to seminars, national resource-based educational modules, and teaching activities linked to multiple research platforms. It is also engaged in mentorship through the Master of Biomedical Technology (MBT) program and offers hands-on guidance to students and postdoctoral fellows working on collaborative projects. Depending on project availability, the lab has also hosted summer students, helping to train the next generation of translational researchers.

“Working with the Mouse Phenomics Resource Lab was very rewarding. Seeing my research in real time and in 3D gave me fresh perspectives and even led to two new collaborations. Dr Petri made the process straightforward, an excellent collaborator, flexible and very understanding of our research needs.” - Dr. Constance Finney, PhD, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences