Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
|
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine |
The
Carcinogenesis Laboratory
Mouse Colony
The athymic nude mouse plays an important role in cancer research. There is no way to tell in tissue whether transformed cells are cancerous. Implantation of these cells beneath the skin of a nude mouse is the way to get the answers. If they grow, they are cancerous.
|
Mouse Colony |
The athymic nude mouse plays an important role in cancer research. There is no way to tell in tissue whether transformed cells are cancerous. Implantation of these cells beneath the skin of a nude mouse is the way to get the answers. If they grow, they are cancerous. |
MICE HELP RESEARCHERS LEARN
HOW CANCERS GET STARTED
HOW CANCERS GET STARTED |
Between 25 and 30 percent of all Americans get cancer during their lifetimes. Fully one third of these cancers are associated with smoking cigarettes or being exposed to their smoke. The more one smokes or breathes smoke, the greater the risk. Similarly, many people will get skin cancer associated with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Still, many people who smoke or "soak up rays" do not get cancer and it remains difficult for science to explain precisely how normal cells become cancer cells. Most experts believe that the change occurs when the genetic material (DNA) in cells is changed in particular ways as a result of DNA damage. Understanding this mechanism is the major goal of Drs. Justin McCormick and Veronica Maher in the Carcinogenesis Laboratory of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
In their experiments, they grow cells taken from human skin and expose them to various chemicals found in cigarette smoke and ultraviolet radiation like that from the sun. The chemicals and radiation randomly damage the DNA resulting in changes. Occasionally, such a change causes a cell to take on a tumor-like characteristic. These cells are isolated and grown to large populations which are again treated with carcinogens causing some cells to acquire additional tumor-like characteristics.
Cells with tumor-like characteristics which appear to be abnormal are called "transformed." However, additional tests are needed to determine whether they are actually tumor cells.
Forthis job, the researchers use mice that lackthe thymus, a gland that helps them ward off disease. These mice are so susceptible to infections that they must be raised in a germ-free atmosphere. They also have another important characteristic. If they are injected with normal human cells, the cells do not grow. But if they receive human tumor cells, the cells grow and form tumor. Therefore, these athymic mice provide the researchers with a means of determining which transformed cells are cancerous and which are not. The research provides more thorough understanding of how certain chemicals and radiation damage genetic material in ways that lead to cancerous cells. With such knowledge, say the researchers, will come methods of blocking the progression of cells before tumors are formed.
|
Between 25 and 30 percent of all Americans get cancer during their lifetimes. Fully one third of these cancers are associated with smoking cigarettes or being exposed to their smoke. The more one smokes or breathes smoke, the greater the risk. Similarly, many people will get skin cancer associated with prolonged exposure to the sun. Still, many people who smoke or "soak up rays" do not get cancer and it remains difficult for science to explain precisely how normal cells become cancer cells. Most experts believe that the change occurs when the genetic material (DNA) in cells is changed in particular ways as a result of DNA damage. Understanding this mechanism is the major goal of Drs. Justin McCormick and Veronica Maher in the Carcinogenesis Laboratory of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Cells with tumor-like characteristics which appear to be abnormal are called "transformed." However, additional tests are needed to determine whether they are actually tumor cells. Forthis job, the researchers use mice that lackthe thymus, a gland that helps them ward off disease. These mice are so susceptible to infections that they must be raised in a germ-free atmosphere. They also have another important characteristic. If they are injected with normal human cells, the cells do not grow. But if they receive human tumor cells, the cells grow and form tumor. Therefore, these athymic mice provide the researchers with a means of determining which transformed cells are cancerous and which are not. The research provides more thorough understanding of how certain chemicals and radiation damage genetic material in ways that lead to cancerous cells. With such knowledge, say the researchers, will come methods of blocking the progression of cells before tumors are formed. |
Athymic nude mice are kept behind a barrier with HEPA filtered air; autoclaved fee, bedding, water and cages. A research assistant uses aseptic procedures to protect these mice from organisms in the environment.
|
Athymic nude mice are kept behind a barrier with HEPA filtered air; autoclaved fee, bedding, water and cages. A research assistant uses aseptic procedures to protect these mice from organisms in the environment. |
Carcinogenesis Laboratory
Food Safety & Toxicology Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone (517) 353-7785 Fax (517) 353-9004
Food Safety & Toxicology Building Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Phone (517) 353-7785 Fax (517) 353-9004 |
Research
| Publications | Alumni | Pictures
|
|
Research | Publications | Alumni | Pictures |
 |
Last Updated on 7/10/2005
|