Cystic Fibrosis Mouse Models Core

Overview of Services

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder consistently characterized by chronic lung infection, poor growth, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal obstruction and malabsorption, reduced fertility and shortened lifespan. Understanding this systemic disorder requires the use of animal models that provide the opportunity to study complex physiologic processes in the context of a living organism. As there are a multitude of processes disrupted in CF, an animal model that can allow one to approach these processes in a tractable manner is crucial.  The mouse is particularly well suited for this purpose, as the ability to manipulate its genome and environment provide immense power and versatility as a tool, and the CF mouse shows some level of involvement in nearly every process found in CF patients.

The overall goal of the Cystic Fibrosis Mouse Models Core is to provide mouse models of CF for understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and for development of therapies. The Cystic Fibrosis Mouse Models Core is part of the Willard Bernbaum Cystic Fibrosis Center in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology. The Cystic Fibrosis Mouse Models Core is supported through a Research Development Program from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and assists investigators in Cystic Fibrosis mouse related research. The Core houses over 50 unique mouse strains that can be utilized in Cystic Fibrosis research. The Core provides services that include: mouse production (from current strains and the creation of new strains), mouse strain maintenance, tissue acquisition, genotyping and treatment of mice with IACUC approved drugs to test potential therapies. In addition to these services, the Core maintains a centralized database that contains breeding history, phenotypes observed and experimental records of the various CF mouse strains.   

The Cystic Fibrosis Mouse Models Core is directed by Dr. Craig Hodges.  Dr. Hodges has two decades of experience creating and utilizing mouse models to further understand human disease with a focus on Cystic Fibrosis for over 10 years.  If interested in using the Cystic Fibrosis Mouse Models Core, please contact Dr. Hodges, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics.

Links and Resources

CF Mice website

Contacts