The University of Lethbridge receiving nearly $90,000 in federal funding to house lab rats in the new Science and Academic Building.
Neuroscience professor, Dr. Gerlinde Metz, says upgraded housing systems are needed for the rats as the old system is obsolete and won’t work in the new facility.
The rats will have an enriched environment where they can climb between two levels, have more space, get access to toys and be housed in larger groups.
Total cost of the new system is $223,000 and applications for further funding from provincial programs will be made later this year.
The federal funding was announced earlier this week by the federal Minister of Science and Sport, Kirsty Duncan.
More than $61-million is going to leading edge research labs and equipment through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund.