Central Animal Research Facility
A flagship preclinical and experimental research centre — bridging discovery science and translational application through advanced, ethically compliant in vivo research infrastructure.
Where In Vivo Evidence Is Built
The Central Animal Research Facility is RAKMHSU's flagship preclinical and experimental research centre, addressing the growing national and regional demand for advanced, ethically compliant, high-quality in vivo research infrastructure. Since its inception it has evolved into one of the most sophisticated animal research facilities in the UAE.
A fully licensed, MOCCAE and RAK EPDA-registered, BSL-2 compliant hub, CARF supports ethically conducted research in rats and mice across metabolic, oncologic, neurologic, cardiovascular, infectious and toxicological domains — enabling in vivo validation of novel drugs, nanoparticles and biologics under strict adherence to the 3R principles.
Read the Full Overview
Vision
To be a globally recognized centre of excellence for experimental, preclinical, and translational research, delivering impactful scientific discoveries that advance human health.
Mission
To provide state-of-the-art, ethically governed preclinical research infrastructure that enables high-quality experimental studies, disease modeling, and translational innovation.
Develop robust, reproducible rodent models of diverse human diseases.
Enable cutting-edge cardiovascular, behavioral, neurological, metabolic, and pharmacological research.
Support interdisciplinary, translational, and industry-linked research collaborations.
Maintain the highest standards of animal ethics, biosafety, and regulatory compliance.
Provide training and mentorship to researchers in preclinical techniques, experimental design, and animal welfare.
Six Areas of Capability
From rodent disease modelling and non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring through to BSL-2 biosafety and round-the-clock animal care, CARF gives researchers across the University access to instrumentation that would be out of reach to any single college.
Experimental Animal Infrastructure
Wistar rats and BALB/c mice, with expertise in modelling cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, oncological, hepatic, renal, immunological, inflammatory and ophthalmological disease.
Cardiovascular Research Laboratories
Non-invasive ECG and blood pressure systems (EMKA Technologies, France; Kent Scientific, USA) and a working heart apparatus for ex vivo perfusion studies.
Pain & Behavioral Research Laboratories
Hargreaves Apparatus (UGO Basile, Italy) and smart video tracking (Pan Lab, Spain) driving Morris Water Maze, Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field and Light-Dark Box paradigms.
Biosafety & Diagnostics
BSL-2 biosafety infrastructure, a veterinary hematology analyzer for 5-part differential CBC testing, and advanced sterilization and environmental control.
Animal Ethics & Regulatory Oversight
All research is governed by the RAKMHSU Animal Ethics Committee (AEC); the facility is licensed by MOCCAE, UAE and the RAK EPDA.
Technical & Animal Care Support
Trained personnel for handling, surgical assistance and monitoring, with 24/7 animal welfare monitoring and continuous training programs.
“Welcome to the Central Animal Research Facility (CARF) at RAKMHSU, a preclinical research powerhouse that combines decades of expertise, cutting-edge infrastructure, and advanced software platforms to generate high-impact, reproducible translational data.”
CARF is distinguished by its unmatched proficiency in developing rodent models for a comprehensive spectrum of human diseases, from oncology and metabolic disorders to inflammatory, pain and rare syndromes.
Two Ways to Work With CARF
RAKMHSU invites external academic institutions, industry partners, startups, healthcare organizations, and government bodies to engage with CARF under two globally recognized models.
Contract Research Organization (CRO) Model
End-to-end research execution against the partner's objectives and defined endpoints, on a transparent external-rate financial framework — with intellectual property remaining entirely with the external partner.
Collaborative Research Model
Active scientific collaboration with joint protocol development, execution and analysis at agreed internal rates, with access to data for co-authored publications and shared intellectual property.
The CARF Section
Brief Overview
What CARF is, how it grew into one of the most sophisticated animal research facilities in the UAE, and the research it supports.
Brief OverviewMessage From Director
Dr. Shakta Mani Satyam on CARF’s rodent disease-model expertise and its invitation to researchers worldwide.
Message From DirectorVision, Mission & Objectives
The facility’s vision and mission, and its five standing objectives for preclinical research and training.
Vision, Mission & ObjectivesFacilities, Instruments & Activities
Animal infrastructure, cardiovascular, pain and behavioural laboratories, biosafety, ethics oversight and the activity program.
Facilities, Instruments & ActivitiesCARF Services
Research engagement and external partnerships — the CRO and collaborative research models.
CARF ServicesGallery
Photographs of the CARF apparatus, behavioural testing units and laboratory equipment.
Gallery