Parc Científic de Barcelona: PIAAL

The research related to the use of laboratory animals is centralised in the Cluster Building of the PCB, which offers its services to users of the PCB and the UB, as well as researchers from the business sector and other public institutions.

The LAARP (Laboratory Animal Applied Research Platform), which covers an area of 920 m², has facilities designed to house rodents and aquatic species. It has an Experimental Unit, equipped with multipurpose laboratories for the collection and preparation of samples; and a barrier zone (Specific Pathogen Free, SPF) which includes, among other facilities, the Transgenic Unit where genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are generated and maintained.

The project, led by Ramon Parera, involved the design, engineering, construction and qualification of an area for animal experimentation. The challenge of this project was to ensure the welfare of the animals (rodents) with a very strict control of temperature and humidity and the prevention of drafts and other disturbances (noise, light).

The SPF zone also had to be maintained at a perfect level of sterility to prevent the contamination of the animals, and in the GMO zone was it was extremely important to maintain the containment of the area.To achieve this, Ramon Parera and his team designed and implemented a very specific treatment of air installation and constructed the area for animal experimentation with cleanroom type architecture. The project included all the services necessary for the proper functioning of the area (steam for sterilisation, essential electricity supply, treated water …).Photos © Parc Científic Barcelona