Phenotyping of animal models allows investigators to translate basic observations into clinically meaningful? endpoints that are relevant to human nutritional disorders. The mouse has assumed a pivotal role in the? translational spectrum from molecule to disease because of the widespread availability of reagents for? altering its genome. Traditional transgenesis for overexpression of genes and """"""""knockout"""""""" strategies to? inactivate gene expression are routine. Regulated expression at specific sites is now possible using tissuespecific? promoters and constructs that respond to readily available agents such as tetracycline. Using crelox? technology to inactivate gene expression in discrete cell types in mice is widespread. Less readily? accessible are the means for characterizing these animal models to yield insight into the mechanisms of? common nutritionally-related disorders in humans including obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis,? diabetes, insulin resistance and hypertension.? The principal goal of the Animal Model Research Core is to provide easy access to frequently used? mouse models, specialized expertise, and high quality assays to facilitate nutritionally-relevant? research and enhance the cost-effectiveness of conducting this research. Over the past five years,? the Core has been extremely successful at achieving this goal. Thirty-five laboratories at Washington? University have utilized core services during this period. To mention a few of the critical services, the core? has provided well-characterized mouse models to 11 different CNRU investigators' laboratories , trained 57 individuals from 16 different laboratories at our institution in techniques including? breeding and animal husbandry, performed over 3,100 noninvasive determinations of body composition in? mice, and performed more than 33,000 biochemical analyses of mouse serum.
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