http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.list This is the rss feed for all the available research tools from the University of Cincinnati Tue, 27 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT en-us http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=104011 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=104011 Research Tools melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Tue, 27 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT The mouse model titled Pdx-Cre transgenic mouse, is part of the first accurate pancreatic cancer mouse model ever developed. The mouse, when mated with a KrasGD12 mouse, produces offspring that reliably exhibit pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cancer precursors. <br> The potential applications of this mouse model are tremendous. This model is invaluable in developing new drugs to treat pancreatic cancer, as well as methods for early diagnosis of this disease because presently pancreatic cancer is very hard to detect before it is irreversibly terminal. A reliable detection method is much needed for this deadly disease because it has one of the highest mortality rates of all cancers. A mouse model that can help develop new treatment and detection methods fills an important void in the cancer research arsenal. In addition there are currently very few FDA approved drugs to treat pancreatic cancer underscoring the need for this type of research tool. http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=104030 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=104030 Research Tools melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Mon, 31 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT An antibody which recognizes indoleacetic acid but not free unmethylated IAA. http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=116022 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=116022 AllTechnologies melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Thu, 02 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT <a href="https://med.uc.edu/cancerbiology/about/chair">Dr. Jun-Lin Guan</a> and his lab have developed a research tool for modeling angiosarcoma and lymphangiosarcoma.<br><br> This research tool is a genetically-engineered mouse model, that replicates all the main features of human angiosarcoma and lymphangiosarcoma, including invasion and metastasis. A technique for isolating primary tumor cells from the mice has also been developed. The in vitro cell-based assays have been optimized to test tumor cell growth, apoptosis and kinase activities. <br><br> This model would be useful to those Researchers engaged in the care of patients with angiosarcoma and lymphangiosarcoma, and patients with other vascular tumors and vascular malformation.<br><br> The technology currently has the following advantages: <ul> <li>Only animal model that replicates all aspects of the human angiosarcoma. <li>High formation rate and rapid growth rate of the tumors <li>Ideal model for screening new compounds. </ul> http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=108112 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=108112 Research Tools melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT Mice hemizygous for this "Trc-Tox176" transgene (also called "h-GNAT2pro-DTA") are viable and fertile. Expression of diphtheria toxin (DTA) from the transgene is similar to that of endogenous GNAT2, leading to ablation of both rod and cone photoreceptor development in the ventral retina (the abnormality is a result of abnormal cellular development rather than a consequence of retinal degeneration). The dorsal retina has nearly normal development of rods, but the development of cones is limited to about 10%. These transgenic mice exhibit an absence of cone photoreceptors in the retina, as well as the concomitant absence of rod photoreceptors in the ventral retina. The mice may be useful in studies of photoreceptor development, photoreceptor-related retinal diseases, and to profile photoreceptor genes in adult and in developmental stages. http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=108075 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=108075 Research Tools melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT <a href="http://webcentral.uc.edu/eProf/viewoutput.cfm?action=PublicDoc&code=WebPage&shci=0&choice=html&ePID=NzY4MA==">Dr. Sohaib Khan</a>, a Professor in the Department of Cancer and Cell Biology at the University of Cincinnati, has developed a conditional knockout mouse that keeps the estrogen receptor in all tissues except the mammary tissue, which allows scientists to study the role the receptor plays in breast development and abnormalities such as breast cancer or problems with milk production when nursing. <br> The potential applications of this mouse model are tremendous, in that it can be an invaluable tool toward developing a better understanding of the relationship between estrogen-signaling and oncogene-mediated breast cancer development. This can lead to a better understanding of the origins of breast cancer, to find new ways for earlier detection and potential for new therapies to treat breast cancer. The “floxed ER” mice can also be used to delete ER in other estrogen-target tissues. http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=106087 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=106087 Research Tools melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT A cell-permeable oxygen-bridged dinuclear ruthenium amine complex that has been shown to bind to mitochondria with high affinity (Kd = 340 pM). Specifically blocks Ca2+ uptake into mitochondria in vitro (IC50 = 184 pM) and in situ in intact myocytes (complete block after incubation with ~10 µM of Ru360 for 30 min). Does not affect other cellular Ca2+ transport processes involved in cardiac muscle contraction, even at micromolar levels. http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=106025 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=106025 Research Tools melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT We have cloned a novel cell line, named LS14, from a human liposarcoma tumor which expresses preadipocyte properties and proliferates robustly. This cell line is derived from spontaneously transformed cells and is not a result of transfection. The cells can be maintained and propagated indefinitely in a defined culture medium with a cell generation time of 72-96 hr. The cells are considered partially-differentiated preadipocytes and can be induce to terminally differentiate and accumulate lipid droplets following incubation in serum-free medium which contains a combination of adipogenic-inducing compounds. Within 8-10 days after induction of adipogenesis, 50-60% of the cells have undergone differentiation. These cells express many genes that are typical of primary human adipocytes, including leptin, adiponectin, lipoprotein lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase, fatty acid synthase, angiotensinogen, Glut4, AP2, TNF?, IL-6 and PPAR?. They respond to isoproterenol by increased lipolysis. http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=103032 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=103032 Research Tools melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Wed, 19 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT The neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene was cloned in 1993. It encodes a protein product, merlin. Mutation of merlin is associated with development of tumors known as schwannomas, which arise from the 8th cranial nerve. Patients of NF2 are also predisposed to other nervous system tumors such as ependymomas, meningiomas and mesotheliomas. Merlin is related to the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family of proteins, which are known to link the plasma membrane of cells to their cytoskeleton. Current evidence points to merlin as part of several signal transduction pathways that regulate cell growth. As the functional inactivation or loss of merlin leads to tumor formation, merlin is a classic tumor suppressor molecule. <br> The study of the tumor suppressing mechanism of merlin is currently hampered by a paucity of specific antibody reagents. Although many commercial antibodies exist for the ERM proteins, none to our knowledge are available that are highly specific for merlin. <br> We generated purified recombinant merlin protein using a combination of standard laboratory techniques. The resultant protein appeared as a single band on SDS-PAGE gels and was used as immunogen to elicit antibody production in New Zealand white rabbits. <br><b> Advantages </b><br> By western blotting, our merlin antibody, designated Montibody, revealed a single band at approximately 69 kDa, the predicted molecular mass of human merlin. This degree of specificity surpasses that of all known commercially available products. <br> The antibody recognizes human, mouse and rat merlin, and is effective in in western blot analysis at 1000x dilution and in immunoprecipitation studies. Since the antibody recognizes endogenous merlin, it obviates the need for epitope- or green fluorescent protein-tagged merlin in such studies. http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=109055 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=109055 Research Tools melissa.baines@uc.edu (Melissa Baines) Fri, 14 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMT <a href="http://webcentral.uc.edu/eProf/viewoutput.cfm?Action=PublicDoc&ePID=MTYzMA%3D%3D&code=WebPage">Dr. David Butler</a> of the University of Cincinnati and <a href="http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/div/mcb/interests/robbins/default.htm">Dr. Jeffrey Robbins</a> of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center have collaborated to create a new research tool – a transgenic rabbit in which cells fluoresce when the collagen 2 (Col2) gene is being expressed. Animal models are utilized for a variety of applications in the fields of engineering, orthopedic and medical research. They have allowed scientists to better understand the natural history of disease, to develop new and improved surgical techniques, to predict the effect of a given treatment or surgical procedure and to critically develop and evaluate implants, a basic element of modern orthopedics. In every aspect of biomedical research, the use of animal models constitutes an essential step that leads to the eventual application of newly acquired information to the human patient. <br><br> Patients in the US sustain more than 32 million injuries to tendons and ligaments at a cost of $30 billion each year. Many of these injuries occur where type I collagen fibers insert into fibrocartilage (including type II collagen synthesized by Col2) and bone (type I collagen; Col1). Type II collagen, which adds structure and strength to connective tissues, is found primarily in cartilage. Cartilage includes the articulating tissue lining the ends of bones within joints, the shock absorbing pads within the knee known as the menisci, and the center portion of the discs between the vertebrae in the spine. By exploring when the Col2 gene is expressed, we can better understand how the body reacts to certain injuries and how it heals. There currently exists a mouse model which expresses fluorescent proteins based on changes in Col1 and Col2 gene expression. Although an excellent genetic tool, the mouse is too small to perform reproducible surgeries to study the repair of many orthopedic tissues. <br><br> To better understand the growth and development and healing mechanisms of orthopedic tissues, Dr. Butler and Dr. Robbins have developed a transgenic rabbit which expresses fluorescent proteins based on changes in Col2 gene expression. Rabbits are larger animals than mice, making it possible to more easily perform reproducible surgeries. The fluorescent expression lasts 24 hours, so there is ample time to see the results. The Col2 transgenic rabbit will provide a straightforward tool to study the spatial and temporal patterns of Col2 expression during normal development and repair of collagenous tissues. http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=103023 http://www.ipo.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=technologies.story&item_number=103023 Research Tools briggsln@ucmail.uc.edu (Lynn Briggs) Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT Dr. Thomas Clemens, while a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati, developed a new mouse model - the Osteocalcin Cre transgenic mouse. The noninvasive monitoring of gene expression in vivo represents a novel methodology to examine individual genes in different tissue environments. The recent development of the cooled charged coupled device (CCCD) camera has enabled visualization of low quantities of photons emitted by internal mammalian tissue both in vitro and in vivo. To take advantage of this technique, Dr. Clemens created mice expressing the luciferase gene under the control of a segment of the human osteocalcin promoter. These mice express the luciferase gene only in mature osteoblasts and osteocytes. This mouse model has enabled the examination of bone regeneration to track bone specific gene expression following fracture and regeneration. <br><br> Dr. Clemens’ mouse was the first transgenic mouse model developed that expresses the human osteocalcin promoter driving luciferase.