Core research service unit at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin specializing in laboratory animal husbandry, breeding, and experimental usage for biomedical research. Provides infrastructure for animal-based studies, ensures compliance with animal welfare regulations (e.g., training, veterinary oversight), and supports the creation of genetically modified models.

Core offers broad spectrum of behavioral tools to characterize novel animal models, including assays of cognition, exploratory behavior, social interaction, motivation, anxiety‑related behavior, and motor performance. In addition to classical tests such as the Barnes maze, elevated plus maze and open field, the facility develops and implements novel, high‑throughput and ethologically relevant approaches to monitor rodent behavior with particular emphasis on social interactions.

Core offers large-animal experimental hybrid operating room equipped for cardiological and cardiothoracic interventions, including advanced angiography and multimodal intraprocedural imaging, to support patient-oriented preclinical research and education. Facility enables design, conduct, and veterinary-supervised aftercare of acute and chronic large-animal studies and hands-on training courses on implants, ventricular assist devices, artificial hearts, and percutaneous procedures for structural heart valve disease at phantom models and large-animal models. Core functions and services Performance of animal experimental studies and training courses in an experimental hybrid OR environment. Consultation on study design, model selection, and preparation of animal experiment applications for regulatory approval. Provision of anesthesia and surgical assistance, including perioperative and intensive care support. Specialist veterinary support for acute and chronic studies, ensuring animal welfare and scientific quality. Housing and husbandry for large laboratory animals such as sheep, pigs, and minipigs as part of the experimental program. Equipment and technology Hybrid operating room with Philips Allura Clarity FD20 angiography system tailored to cardiology and cardiac surgery interventions. Comprehensive software tools including Echo-, Heart-, and Vesselnavigator for image-guided procedures. EPIQ7 and CX50 ultrasound systems supporting TTE, TEE, ICE, and IVUS imaging modalities for structural and interventional procedures. Carto-3, OPTIS Integrated System, and XperCT platforms for 3D mapping and intravascular or intracardiac imaging. Heart–lung machine and ECMO systems for cardiopulmonary support during complex experimental interventions. Organizational context and availability Located at Campus Virchow-Klinikum as part of the Forschungseinrichtungen für Experimentelle Medizin and operated in cooperation with the Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin. Provides core facility research infrastructure of the Charité faculty for translational cardiovascular research and advanced training in a large-animal setting. Certified according to ISO 9001:2015, indicating a documented quality management system for its services.

Facility for high resolution imaging of biological samples at cryogenic temperatures. Amongst other applications such as single particle data collection, our high-end instrumentation is suited to perform in situ structural biology by combining cryoCLEM, lamella FIB-milling, and cryo-electron tomography.

Core provides services supporting generation, modification, cryopreservation, and rederivation of genetically modified rodent models for biomedical research, generates genetically modified mouse models via both targeted and random mutagenesis using tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 in zygotes or embryonic stem (ES) cells, provides cryopreservation and rederivation of existing animal models to preserve hygienic integrity. Services for rodent transgenic model development include: Pronuclear Injection and amp; Viral Transgenesis with introduction of genetic constructs into zygotes using microinjection or lentiviral systems; ES Cell-Based Techniques: use of embryonic stem cell manipulation for genetic targeting; Embryo Transfer: transferring manipulated embryos into recipient females; In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): assisted reproductive technology to generate embryos for manipulation or cryopreservation; Cryopreservation: freezing of embryos and sperm for archiving or rederivation of lines as required. Facility’s expertise includes quality control of cryopreserved material to ensure viability upon thawing.

We generate a broad range of viral vectors, including lentiviruses, AAVs, retroviruses, SFV, VSV, adenoviruses, and rabies viruses.

The Viral Core Facility (VCF) of the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin provides comprehensive services for the generation of viral particles to Charité researchers as well as external academic (non-profit) institutions.

Our activities encompass a full DNA vector service for the design and generation of new plasmids, a dedicated production unit for viral particle generation, and an analytical platform for the characterization and quality control of viral preparations.

In addition, we provide an online catalog that offers an overview of our available viral tools and standardized vectors, facilitating project planning and selection of suitable constructs.

The Charité Experimental MRI laboratories at Charité Campus Mitte offer two 7 Tesla Bruker MRI machines for preclinical research. Users have access to a wide range of established methods in the field of neuroimaging of anatomy, tissue microstructure, structural/functional connectivity, but also in the field of functional and molecular MRI of tumors, kidney, placenta or heart.

ZeBanC is an integrated healthcare biobank that operates under certified conditions and strict SOPs. This enables biomedical and translational researchers to perform their analyses using high-quality biospecimens and data to generate reliable and reproducible research data. To meet the needs of our various stakeholders, we offer a modular biobanking portfolio that can cover the entire workflow from blood collection to storage, including all pre-analytical steps and their documentation. This includes access to existing biospecimens and data under well-defined and agreed conditions. Furthermore, we offer a spectrum of additional services ranging from DNA/RNA extraction and virtual microscopy to the entire management of sample and data flow for national/international research consortia. Last but not least, we provide secure conventional and automated storage of samples at various temperatures as well as secure data management.

Preclinical (mice, rats) Radionuclide Imaging with SPECT/CT and PET/MR, radiochemistry, tracer biokinetics and kinetic modeling

Transgenic Service providing
• Generation of transgenic mice via pronucleus injection (TALEN, CrispR Cas9) and ES-cell based techniques including ES-cell culture
• Cryopreservation of mice via Sperm and Embryos
• Rederivation
• De novo ES-cell establishment
• De novo establishment of Trophoblast cells

The Core Facility offers thin sectioning, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Cryo-TEM, confocal light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Advice is given routinely for adequate project programming. Projects are closely monitored during the course of evaluations by the core facility staff. The core facility is equipped with the necessary LM, TEM and SEM devices and a technical staff takes care of all the technical work. The director (Prof. Bachmann), vice director (Prof. Vida) and an additional technical assistant plus a photographer help to extend and control project work in the core facility.