The goal of the University of Louisville MT-COBRE Animal Model Core is to facilitate the rapid translation of novel approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment through the use of transgenic mouse models of cancer.  In particular, the Animal Model Core will facilitate the translational objectives of UofL MT-COBRE-related investigators by developing coordinated resources, techniques, expertise and several colonies of transgenic mice for safety and efficacy testing of novel anti-cancer approaches.  The initial goal is to establish colonies of the transgenic mice and to develop methods for longitudinal monitoring of tumor progression or regression without the need to euthanize the animals.  Once fully established, the long-term objectives of the Core are to provide access to transgenic mouse models of cancer for junior and senior cancer researchers at the University of Louisville, including past and present MT-COBRE investigators, in order to facilitate the testing of novel anti-cancer compounds and strategies.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Maintain, distribute and provide pre-clinical toxicity and efficacy support for transgenic mouse models of melanoma, childhood neuroblastoma, lung, breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic and hematological cancers;
2. Provide technical support for transgenic mouse genotyping, specimen collection and processing, and PK analyses of novel anti-cancer agents; and
3. Conduct state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging services for the detection of tumors and response to novel therapeutic agents.

In summary, the Animal Model Core will procure and breed transgenic mouse models of several common cancer types and provide technical services to facilitate the testing of novel strategies and drugs developed through the MT-COBRE at the University of Louisville.