Animal Core
Animal Core
COBRE in Lipidomics and Pathobiology
Core Services
The mission of the core is to assist investigators perform experimentation with genetically modified mice, particularly mice bearing mutations in sphingolipid pathway genes).
Consultation on mouse experimentation
· Planning of all phases of mouse experimentation
· Assistance with preparation of IACUC animal protocols.
· Assistance with preparing information for the Vertebrate Animals section in NIH grant applications.
Supplying mice for experimentation
· The core will provide required genetically modified mice (e.g., mice bearing mutations in sphingolipid pathway genes) for experimentation. The services include mouse husbandry, genotyping necessary to provide mice of specified age and sex.
The core also maintains a number of genetically modified mouse strains (Table 1), but will consider raising other types of mice that would be of broad interest.
Table 1. Strains of genetically modified mice currently housed by the core.
Targeted Gene | Gene Name | Background |
SK1 | Sphingosine kinase 1 | BL6 |
SK2 | Sphingosine kinase 2 | BL6 and FVB |
S1P2 | S1P receptor 2 | BL6 |
S1P3 | S1P receptor 3 | BL6 |
ASM | Acid sphingomyelinase | BL6 |
NCdase | Neutral ceramidase | BL6 |
CerS4 | Ceramide synthase 4 | BL6 |
CerS5 | Ceramide synthase 6* | BL6 |
LDLR | Low density lipoprotein receptor* | BL6 |
SK1-/-;SK2-/+;LDLR-/-* | Compound mutant | BL6 |
*Currently a helicobacter positive colony.
Special procedures
The core will conduct special procedures including:
· Special diet feeding (e.g., atherogenic diet)
· Metabolic cage housing (e.g., urine collection)
· Mini pump implantation
Full service tissue procurement
· On request the core will perform isolation and fixation of tissues. Isolated tissue can be provided fresh, frozen, fixed or preserved in RNAlater.
Full service isolation of primary cells from genetically modified and wildtype mice
· On request the core will prepare primary cell lines from genetically modified and wildtype mice. For example the core can isolate mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or endothelial cells.
· Currently, the core has stocks of MEFs including SK1 null MEFs (BL6) and wildtype MEFs (BL6).
Full service isolation of tissue RNA from genetically modified and wildtype mice
· Core personnel will isolate RNA from tissues of genetically modified and wildtype mice. Isolated RNA will be quality controlled using an Agilent Bioanalyzer.
· Upon request we can also prepare cDNA from isolated RNA.
Genotyping
· The core offers full service genotyping. This service includes mouse-tail clipping, extraction and purification of DNA and PCR. The core will also offer assistance with designing a PCR-based genotyping protocol for a given transgenic mouse. This includes PCR primer design and optimizing PCR conditions.
Procedure Training
The core offers training in a range of techniques including:
· Intravenous (IV) injection: Tail vein injection of agents (e.g., BrdU, drugs, siRNA, Evans blue dye).
· Blood Isolation: Isolation of blood by sub-mandibular bleeding or heart puncture.
· Euthanasia: (including perfusion fixation if required).
· Immunohistochemistry: Core personnel have extensive experience with performing immunohistological staining (confocal microscopy) and histochemical staining e.g., DAB, H&E, alizarin red, oil Red O staining.
All animal procedures are performed according MUSC IACUC approved animal protocol.
Fees
Service fees are currently being determined.
Contact Information
Director:
Kelley Argraves
Phone: 843-792-3535
Email : argravek@musc.edu
Office : BSB 650
Staff:
Marion A. Cooley, Ph.D.
Phone: 843-792-6518
Email: cooleyma@musc.edu
George O. Washington
Phone: 843-792-1340
Email: washingo@musc.edu