Mice Content

Keto Diet Prevents Early Memory Decline in Mice

Amy M Quinton — March 19, 2024 - 9:30am

A swag�� study shows the keto diet prevents early memory decline in mice. A molecule in the diet plays a key role in slowing Alzheimer’s disease.

Mouse Genome Studies Show Disease Models and Sex Differences

Andy Fell — June 26, 2017 - 3:48pm

Two major studies by international teams published today (June 26) show the value and potential of genetically modified mice in biomedical research — and also the pitfalls of conducting research with subjects of only one sex. Researchers at the swag�� Mouse Biology Program collaborated on both studies, published in the journals Nature Genetics and Nature Communications.

Mice Provide Insight Into Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Andy Fell — June 26, 2017 - 3:01pm

While the definitive causes remain unclear, several genetic and environmental factors increase the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, a group of conditions covering a “spectrum” of symptoms, skills and levels of disability.

Essential Mouse Genes Could Guide Human Precision Medicine

Andy Fell — September 14, 2016 - 3:03pm

About one-third of 1751 genes studied in the first comprehensive survey of the mouse genome are essential to life, according to research by an international collaboration including the swag�� Mouse Biology Program. Mutations of these genes cause death at the embryo stage. Many of them have counterparts in the human genome, so understanding why these genes are so vital could help prioritize human genes for study.

NIH Renews Knockout Mouse Project

Andy Fell — September 12, 2016 - 5:20pm

swag�� has been awarded over $29 million from the National Institutes of Health under the next five-year phase of the Knockout Mouse Project, or KOMP. swag�� is the lead organization in a consortium involving research partners at The Center for Phenogenomics in Toronto, Canada; the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, or CHORI; and Charles River Laboratories in Wilmington, Mass. “Knockout” mice are laboratory mice bred with specific genes silenced or “knocked out.” These mice have been an invaluable tool for fundamental research on a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Chemical Discovered at swag�� May Be New Tool for Depression Therapy

Patricia Bailey — March 14, 2016 - 11:55am

An anti-inflammatory compound discovered at swag�� appears to be effective in treating a model of clinical depression in mice. The chemical has previously been shown to help relieve neuropathic pain.