The LCBG Animal Model and Genotyping Core Facility provides outstanding, reliable research support to a number of NCI intramural investigators. The Facility's mission is to create and maintain mouse models for various cancers including: - B cell lymphomas, - plasma cell tumors, - myeloma, - skin carcinogenesis and melanoma, - breast cancer, and - prostate cancer. The Core also performs a variety of genomic analyses in support of investigators. We continually search for ways to make the techniques we use every day more efficient by keeping up with new technologies, software, and equipment. Facility staff members are responsible for ensuring the genetic integrity and overseeing all of the breeding strategies required to establish and maintain many different lines of mice. Our staff conduct all of the genetic monitoring and genotyping required to maintain these lines, including: - DNA extraction - genotyping by PCR - gel electrophoresis

The Core actively participates in planning, design, execution, and analysis of tumor induction experiments and sets up and executes preclinical testing of various drugs for anti-tumor activity. Facility staff members write many of the original Animal Study Proposals and associated amendments, and ensure that these documents are kept up-to-date and in compliance with the NCI Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC). We actively participate in preparing for all inspections by the ACUC and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AALAC). The Core is also responsible for coordinating the shipment of mouse and tumor lines to investigators around the world, thereby providing useful research tools to the extramural cancer research community.

The Facility's Genomics Section provides assistance both to LCBG investigators and to other CCR investigators as appropriate, for a wide variety of genomic applications including, but not limited to: - database mining, - marker development, - single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification and analysis, and - sequencing and sequence homology searches. Programs currently supported by the Core include MacVector, DS Gene, Vector NTI, LaserGene, Sequencher, Partek, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The strong combination of animal and genomic expertise within the Core provides integrated assistance to CCR investigators in their mechanistic studies of cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis.