JAX® NOTES issue 514, Summer 2009
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In this issue...
Web exclusive article: Novel Leukemia Treatment Discovered in Mice
A new therapy may be on the horizon for leukemia patients
Web exclusive: Upcoming book on mouse endocrine system development
Pre-order the book at CRC Press and save 20%
New Mouse Panel Approach May Improve Drug Safety
Each day, millions of people worldwide battle disease — putting their trust in drugs developed to treat their conditions. Unfortunately, these drugs do not always live up to expectations, or have unforeseen health effects on some individuals that necessitate their removal from the market.
Diversity Outbred and Collaborative Cross Mice to Offer Maximum Allelic Variation
In its quest to provide even more powerful genetically distinct mouse resources, JAX is developing a population of Diversity Outbred (DO) mice, designed to maximize allelic variation throughout the genome.
Michael J. Fox Foundation and JAX Collaborate to Distribute Parkinson's Disease Models
More hope is on the way to the millions of people worldwide who suffer from Parkinson's disease (PD). The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is providing funding to JAX to distribute new Parkinson's mouse models.
Non-Invasive Technique - Potential Parkinson's Therapy
Thanks to a group of researchers at Duke University, deep brain electrical stimulation (DBS), a Parkinson's disease therapy that requires highly invasive and precise surgery, may someday be a thing of the past
JAX Raises the Bar on Health Monitoring and Reporting
Animal health expectations of today's biomedical researchers are more rigorous than ever. To keep one step ahead, we have enhanced our health monitoring protocols to better detect the presence of any infectious agents in our Production and Repository rooms.
Four JAX Regional Representative Territories Reorganized
To better serve our customers, the territory responsibilities of four of our Regional Representatives have been reorganized.
JAX—West: The Beginning of a New Era in Biomedical Research
In 2001, The Jackson Laboratory established a small facility in West Sacramento, California. In 2008, the Laboratory started planning to move into a considerably expanded (117,000 ft2) facility, and, this year, on May 6, it celebrated the Grand Opening of that facility — The Jackson Laboratory—West, or "JAX—West" as it is popularly known.
New 2009-2010 Catalogs and Price Lists Released
JAX® Mice Catalog, JAX® Services Catalog and JAX® Mice Price List
Mouse Tumor Biology Database (MTB) Adds New Features
Looking for cancer genes? Well, Mouse Genome Informatics has recently implemented several new features that will make your search for cancer genes in the Mouse Tumor Biology Database more productive.
Defective Gene Plays Unexpected Role in Fat Metabolism
Is it possible to eat a high carbohydrate diet and yet stay lean? The answer is yes — if you're a particular type of mouse with a certain defective gene.
Another Obesity-modulating Gene Revealed
Is it possible to stay lean but eat a high fat diet? Yes, if you're a C57BL/6J mouse (000664, B6) deficient for a gene called acylCoA; monoacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (Mogat2).
JAX® Mice Study: Starvation Diet Does Not Extend Life
If you're not overweight, eating less may not extend your life span. It may even be dangerous — concludes a recent study by a team of University of Southern California and University of North Texas Health Science Center researchers.
Newly Available JAX® Mice Strains
A listing of 13 newly available strains
Production Increased on Four JAX® Mice Strains
To better serve the biomedical research community, we have increased the production of the following JAX® Mice strains.
JAX® Surgical Services: Smooth Operators
Need an experienced small animal surgeon to perform a delicate operation on a mouse? We can do it. Our highly skilled surgeons can perform a wide variety of standard and custom surgeries, from adrenalectomies to vasectomies, on virtually any mouse strain.
$12,500 MTI Stem Cell Grant Awarded to JAX Researchers
The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) has awarded The Jackson Laboratory a $12,500 seed grant to investigate new stem cell technologies that could advance the future of personalized medicine.
Unique Collaboration Results in Mouse Endocrine System Book
In a unique collaboration, a new book on the embryology of the mouse endocrine system "Histologic basis of mouse endocrine system development: a comparative analysis"
A Book is Born
At first glance, it's an unlikely combination: a world-renowned embryologist from Edinburgh, Scotland; a professor working to establish a mouse cancer and stem cell program at Cornell University in New York; and a professor specializing in dermatopathology and general mouse pathology at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine.
JAX Researcher Identifies Critical Role of IL21 in Lupus Pathogenesis
If you're a Caucasian male, your chances of getting lupus are slim. If you're African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American, your odds double or triple. If you're a woman, your odds are 10-15 times higher than those of Caucasian men.
Symposium on Biomedical Science and Medicine in the Next 50 Years Draws World's Leading Scientists as Speakers
At a one-day symposium intended for general audiences, some of the world's leading scientists, including Nobel Laureates Richard Axel and Mario Capecchi, and former National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni, will discuss the future of genetics research and medicine as they relate to cancer, neurogenetics, stem cells, public policy, and individualized medicine.
Retired JAX Scientists Garners "Nobel of the East" Award Pioneering Obesity Research
Jackson Laboratory Professor Emeritus Douglas Coleman, Ph.D., a pioneer in obesity and diabetes research, will share the prestigious Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine with Dr. Jeffrey Friedman of Rockefeller University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Restoring Leptin Signaling in Key Neurons Normalizes Metabolism
The hormone leptin, first identified 15 years ago, is known for its ability to curb appetite and facilitate weight loss.
