Department of Biomedicine

Phenotyping Core Facility

 Department of Biomedicine Phenotyping Core Facility Getting started at the Phenotyping Core Facility

Getting started at the Phenotyping Core Facility

Welcome to the Phenotyping Core Facility - we are always happy to help!

The Phenotyping Core Facility offers facilities, know-how and training, enabling you to perform high-quality studies.

What can we do for you?

We offer training and use of a range of equipment, instruments, techniques and other facilities used in the fields of physiology to phenotype an animal – i.e. quantify specific characteristics or traits this animal exhibits as a product of genes and environment. 

Our main focus is on cardiovascular phenotyping, but we also offer advice, guidance and technical assistance on in vivo imaging, nociception tests, general surgeries, blood sampling and tissue collection.

How to use us - a typical workflow

  1. Define your research question and how our facility may be of assistance
    Before contacting us feel free to browse through our selection of available instruments and techniques. For some research questions, an entire series of techniques may be relevant.

  2. Contact us with a description of your project and needs
    Write us an email using phenotyping@biomed.au.dk, briefly describing your project and needs.
    Include the following information in your email, and we will be able to assist you faster:

    • Which instruments/services do you need, or do you need our input in choosing the approach best suited to your research questions?
    • Expected number of animals (mice or rats) or samples.
    • Describe your timeline and important deadlines you may have. 

    We will get back to you as soon as possible to clear up any additional questions and to schedule a first meeting, where we will discuss how we can assist your study.

  3. Schedule a first meeting
    We usually schedule a first meeting to discuss your needs, what we can offer, as well as the financial aspect. This meeting can be held in person at the Skou Building at Aarhus University or we can schedule a Teams invitation to meet online.
    At this first meeting we also offer our expertise and know-how in assisting with your planning of experiments using our instruments and techniques.
  4. Book training or staff
    Obtain a training session with us, allowing you to use equipment independently. For a higher fee, you can also request to have parts of your experiments performed by facility staff.
  5. Remember to book equipment well ahead of time
    Ensure to book equipment. Booking procedures may vary between equipment, of which you will be informed at your training session.
  6. Perform your experiment. 
    If needed, staff assistance can be booked.
  7. Analyse data. 
    If you need help, do not hesitate to contact us on phenotyping@biomed.au.dk.
  8. Acknowledge the Phenotyping Core Facility in your publication. 
    Always last, but not at all least: Please make sure to acknowledge us, as this greatly influences our funding and therefore our ability to help you and others again. See our guide on how to acknowledge correctly. 

Acknowledgements from our users are crucial for our funding - and thus for our further work for you and others.

FAQ

- Can I get help with experimental planning?

  • Yes, assistance for experimental planning can be booked. Fees can be found here.
  • We can guide you with setting up your overall experiment as well as detailed protocols - do not hesitate to ask for help.

- Can I book personal assistance for performing my experiment?

  • Yes, personal assistance for experiments can be booked. Fees can be found here.

- I have used similar equipment at an other facility. Can I just book the equipment?

  • No. Please respect that a training session is mandatory for all users of Phenotyping Core Facility equipment - also for users with experience from other facilities. This ensures high-standard data generation as well as equipment longevity.

- I am not working at Aarhus University. Can I use Phenotyping Core Facility services?

  • Our services are available to all researchers; local, national, international and private companies. Feel free to e-mail us with a brief description of your project, and we will get back to you with the next steps.
  • More information for external researchers and private companies on collaborations with Aarhus University can be found here.

- I am unsure if my license covers my experiment. How can I get help?

  • During planning of your experiment, we can guide you through any license questions, if needed. However, it is always your responsibility to fully comply with your license at all times.

- The equipment is located in the Skou animal facility. How do I get access?

  • In order to access the Skou animal facility, you will need to book a training session with the stable personnel first. Please directly contact the stable personnel for this matter.
  • Upon your equipment training session with the Phenotyping Core Facility staff, you will be granted access via your key card to the relevant equipment rooms.

- The equipment is located in the Skou animal facility. How do I bring my samples/animals to the facility?

  • You are NOT allowed to bring animals from other facilities directly to the Skou animal facility.
  • Please contact the stable personnel for information on how you may bring animals/samples to the Skou animal facility as well as for current housing capacity.

- My animals need anaesthesia for the procedure. How should I proceed?

Isoflurane gas anesthesia

  • Gas anesthesia equipment is either allocated to our equipment or can be booked separately.
  • Isoflurane is not included in the price for the Phenotyping Core Facility. Please contact the stable personnel for guidance on purchase and storage of isoflurane.
  • Please contact the stable personnel for guidance on how to use gas anesthesia equipment. On-site quick-guides are available.
Revised 21.05.2026
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Anders Møller