The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) was founded and is supported by the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian to carry out biomedical research and education. The Institute's scientific interests are focused on the genetic basis of development and the evolution of complex systems and concentrates on organism-centred approaches in experimental models that include plants, yeast, flies and mice, and on the genetics of complex human diseases. The IGC mouse facility is partitioned into 5 independent areas, each with a specific bio-containment level, including germ-free and strict SPF. The facility hosts about 30,000 mice and maintains up to 100 different inbred strains, which are available to in-house and associated research groups, and to visiting scientists. Production and experimental areas are set to serve active research in various fields of biology (development, neurobiology, infectious diseases, immunology, genetics). Associated with the IGC mouse facility, the Unit for Gene Manipulation provides services for the generation of transgenic and knock-out mice, embryo re-implantation, embryo and sperm freezing. Jocelyne Demengeot is the head of the mouse facility and is representing the IGC in the EMMA Board of Participating Directors.