Humanized Models of Disease (HMD) Core

Overview

The Humanized Models of Disease (HMD) Core provides investigators humanized mouse models to effectively conduct translatable research in biomedicine. Humanized mouse models are particularly suited to the investigation of disease and development of therapeutics. The objective of Core service is to deliver humanized mice to test therapeutic interventions as a pre-clinical model; Wistar humanized mice models derived from CD34+ stem cells; archiving/provision of tumor tissue-generation of patient-derived xenograft mice (PDX mice); and the development of primary organoid (tumor) tissue cultures. Cancer humanized platform development is ongoing for (a) organoid and (b) in vivo PDX studies for tumor types including ovarian, lung, and breast cancer. Please inquire for an updated list of available tumor types in each platform.

Services

• Provision of 12 to 14-week Wistar humanized mice using CD34+ stem cell models
• Provision of melanoma PDX mice using NSG.
• Testing of all mice for levels of reconstitution
• Transfer/invoice if mice have >20% human CD45+ lymphocytes engraftment
• Drafts of “grant friendly” text to describe models, grant budget units to include, and support letters
• Provision of advice on items needed per inclusion of humanized mouse models in NIH proposals
• Provision of 3D Organoid Cultures

Any work related to customized differentiation methods or research use of Wistar humanized mice past 12-14 weeks will require collaboration and is outside the scope of Core services available to investigators not otherwise affiliated with Wistar. Please reach out to learn more as several labs have added humanized mice into their protocols.