Animal Modeling Core

The Animal Modeling Core (AMC) facilitates the development and use of state-of-the-art mouse models in skin-related research and provides relevant consultation, training, and troubleshooting for UM-SBDRC Center members interested in pursuing skin-related studies in mice.

Services

The UM-SBDRC AMC supplies consultation for:

  • Design and development of project-specific Genetically Engineered Mouse Models (GEMMs), including conventional, Cre-inducible, doxycycline-inducible, and conditional mutant mice.
  • Production and validation of mouse models, including transgene construction, verification, genotyping, and GEMM production; screening; breeding, strain establishment, and validation.

The UM-SBDRC AMC supplies training in:

  • In vivo manipulation, including transgene induction protocols, UV irradiation, induction of skin inflammation by exogenous agents, bleomycin-induced fibrosis, and orthotopic xenografts and allografts.
  • GEMM phenotyping, including proper tissue collection and processing; morphologic, biochemical, and molecular characterization; cross-species validation.
  • Establishment of GEMM-derived primary cultures and immortalized cell lines, taking into consideration key experimental variables including body site, gender, and age.

Directors

Dr. Anj Dlugosz

Andrzej Dlugosz, MD

Associate Director, University of Michigan Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center
Associate Director, UM-SBDRC Administrative Core
Director, UM-SBDRC Animal Modeling Core

Dr. J. Michelle Kahlenberg

J. Michelle Kahlenberg, MD, PhD

Associate Director, UM-SBDRC Animal Modeling Core