Editor's Note: Due to space limitations, anyone planning to participate in the tour should contact Patricia Bailey at (530) 752-9843. What: As the result of a collaboration between the University of California, Davis, Mouse Biology Program and The Jackson Laboratory of Bar Harbor, Maine, a new state-of-the-art facility has been established with the capacity to house and breed up to 20,000 research mice. Media representatives are invited to tour the building before it is closed to all but a few caretakers in order to protect the mice, which are bred with specific genetic characteristics for research on diseases that afflict humans and animals. When: 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, May 23 Where: Animal Research Services complex, Old Davis Road, UC Davis Visuals: Following a brief discussion of current biomedical research and description of the mouse-breeding operations, media may tour the $1.4 million facility, which includes a state-of-the art ventilation system to protect the mouse colonies from outside contamination. One sample habitat of research mice will be available to photograph and videotape. Background: The Jackson Laboratory is a world leader in mammalian genetics research, dedicated to improving the quality of human life. This not-for-profit, independent institution conducts basic biomedical research, provides research resources such as 2,500 strains of JAX® mice and Web-accessible databases, and educates scientists around the world in using mouse genetics in biomedical and mammalian biology research. The collaborative agreement between UC Davis and The Jackson Laboratory was established in 1999 to enhance the research capabilities of both institutions related to the prevention and treatment of major human diseases, such as cancer, asthma and diabetes. The new alliance was catalyzed by efforts of the National Institutes of Health to increase funding and build the necessary infrastructure for mouse-based research. UC Davis recently was awarded one of four NIH-sponsored Mutant Mouse Regional Resource Center grants to provide research mice to scientists in the western United States. Directions and From Interstate 80, take the UC Davis exit onto Old Davis Road. Parking: Drive south, away from the main campus, on Old Davis Road. Turn left into the first driveway on the left and park near the Animal Resources Service. Place a media business card on the dashboard of the vehicle.