Project description:Study to optimize our protocol for isolating RNA from skin biopsies from (hairless) SKH mice using different-diameter biopsy punches. Some mice were also treated with UVB radiation to check its effect on RNA yield.
Project description:ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles can elicit a range of perturbed cell responses in vitro. Exposure to topically applied sunscreens containing ZnO or TiO2 particles may or may not elicit a biological effect in mice. We aimed to compare the biological responses of immune-competent hairless mice receiving topical applications of commercially available sunscreens with or without metal oxide nanoparticles, with the responses of mice receiving no sunscreen. Commercially available sunscreens containing ZnO nanoparticles, a mixture of TiO2 nanoparticles and organic UVR filters, or only organic UVR filters were applied to the backs of SKH:QS mice weekly over 36 weeks, with or without subsequent exposure to 29 kJ/m2 UVR. After 36 weeks and 30 treatments, mice were sacrificed and liver tissue was harvested for RNA isolation and whole genome transcriptional profiling, comparing the expression profiles of treated mice with untreated mice.
Project description:We compared gene expression differences in the polytypic species complex Mus musculus (Mus musculus musculus, Mus musculus domesticus, Mus musculus castaneus and Mus musculus ssp) with that of Mus spretus via oligonucleotide microarrays representing more than 20,000 genes. Analysis of the results by two way ANOVA statistics suggests that the most genes with significant differences in expression levels among the subspecies are found in liver and kidney and the least in testis. This picture is different when one compares with Mus spretus, where the largest number of differences is found in testis. Keywords: multi-species comparison