Posters
Academic/Professional Position (Other)
PhD Student
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Mus Musculus is one of the first and one of the most widely used animal models in current neuroscience literature (Phifer-Riley & Nachmann, 2015). However, the research community needs alternatives to rodent models to study the mammalian brain. Research is needed to see if antibodies that target tyrosine hydroxylase, which are well researched in mice, can also be used to study the Monodelphis domestica brain.
Methods: Following transcardial perfusions and brain extractions, mouse and opossum brains were processed and stained for tyrosine hydroxylase (and with Nissl). Opossum brains will then be sliced and processed using IHC methods to compare two TH antibodies (EMD Millipore and Pelfreeze).
Results: Differences include that the Monodelphis has a much larger ventricle in the forebrain area and the mouse brain corpus callosum forms and fuses before the hippocampus compared to the opossum brain, where these fibers are formed more posterior to the formation of the hippocampus. The corpus callosum of the Monodelphis is also less prominent than the anterior commissure. The results of the different antibodies will be presented at the symposium.
Conclusions: Although there are differences between the mouse and the opossum brain, there are also many similarities. Further research is needed to determine what these differences could mean in behavior and cognition. Both EMD Millipore and Pelfreeze make TH antibodies that have been looked at in mice and replicated. More research is needed to determine if the antibodies can be used for other animals, including the Monodelphis.
Recommended Citation
Botello, Cristian M.; VandeBerg, John L.; and Gil, Mario, "Investigating Monodelphis Domestica as an Alternative to the Mus Musculus as an Animal Model" (2023). Research Symposium. 63.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/theme1/posters/63
Included in
Animal Studies Commons, Medicine and Health Sciences Commons, Other Neuroscience and Neurobiology Commons
Investigating Monodelphis Domestica as an Alternative to the Mus Musculus as an Animal Model
Background: Mus Musculus is one of the first and one of the most widely used animal models in current neuroscience literature (Phifer-Riley & Nachmann, 2015). However, the research community needs alternatives to rodent models to study the mammalian brain. Research is needed to see if antibodies that target tyrosine hydroxylase, which are well researched in mice, can also be used to study the Monodelphis domestica brain.
Methods: Following transcardial perfusions and brain extractions, mouse and opossum brains were processed and stained for tyrosine hydroxylase (and with Nissl). Opossum brains will then be sliced and processed using IHC methods to compare two TH antibodies (EMD Millipore and Pelfreeze).
Results: Differences include that the Monodelphis has a much larger ventricle in the forebrain area and the mouse brain corpus callosum forms and fuses before the hippocampus compared to the opossum brain, where these fibers are formed more posterior to the formation of the hippocampus. The corpus callosum of the Monodelphis is also less prominent than the anterior commissure. The results of the different antibodies will be presented at the symposium.
Conclusions: Although there are differences between the mouse and the opossum brain, there are also many similarities. Further research is needed to determine what these differences could mean in behavior and cognition. Both EMD Millipore and Pelfreeze make TH antibodies that have been looked at in mice and replicated. More research is needed to determine if the antibodies can be used for other animals, including the Monodelphis.