Mouse Morphology, Genetics & Function
Goal:
Most biomedical PhD students perform animal experiments at some stage in their research
career, but few have ever received any practical instruction with respect to the biology of their
animals, usually mice or rats. A better background in their anatomy, histology, and pathology, a
better insight in their (ever changing) genetic make-up and wellbeing, and a proper perspective
of rodent models vis-à-vis human physiology can improve the quality of experiments
substantially. Course participants are introduced into these aspects of doing research with the
aim to enable them to be more aware of what is going on in their experimental animals and
allow them to more actively participate in the planning and evaluation of their research.
This course aims to provide participants with a practical, hands-on approach to the anatomy,
histology, and genetics of mice and rats, the currently most frequently used experimental
animals. In addition, we aim to introduce the participants to practical approaches to recognize
pathological changes, to interpret and quantify histological sections and MRI or PET/SPECT
images, to query phenotype databases, and to design an engineered mouse. Finally, participants
are familiarized with some well-known pitfalls of extrapolating findings from mice or rats to
man.
Format:
This course is organized and coordinated by the Tytgat Institute for Liver & Intestinal Research
and the Department of Cell Biology & Histology, under the auspices of the AMC Graduate School
for Medical Sciences. We collaborate with the Oncology Graduate School of Amsterdam (OOA,
Onderzoekschool Oncologie Amsterdam). Participants follow explanatory lectures in the
morning and learn hands-on skills in the afternoon.
The course lasts 10 days and takes place once a year. It is possible to attend only the first week
(mouse anatomy, histology, pathology, and imaging) or the second week (mouse genetics,
behavior, and scaling).
Scheduled dates:
April 2016
Content:
The subjects covered are:
1. Anatomy of the adult male and female mice and rats.
2. Microscopic and pathological anatomy of rodent tissues and organs.
3. Dealing with pathologically changed animals.
4. Developmental and neuro-anatomy; comparison of rodent and human anatomy.
5. Imaging the mouse (MRI and PET/SPECT).
6. Gene targeting, transgenic strategies, and generation of mouse models-1.
7. Gene targeting, transgenic strategies, and generation of mouse models-2.
8. Mouse breeding and querying the Jax phenotype database.
9. Rodent behavior and experimental outcomes.
10. Are experimental animals minute men? Effects of body size and species on metabolism and
pathophysiology.
Target audience:
PhD candidates in the Amsterdam area.
Language:
English.
Certificate:
The course qualifies as a “species-specific” postgraduate course for students with an article 9
permit. To qualify for the certificate, a participant must attend all lectures and workshops.
Attendance will be registered. Master's degree students must also pass a written test in order to
obtain the certificate.
Study load:
72 hours, which is comparable to 2.6 ECTS points.
Number of participants:
Maximum 28 per course.
Costs:
No charge for registered PhD students, who also have priority in enrolment. Other participants
are charged a fee of € 300. Unnotified absenteeism will result in a penalty charge.
Course coordinators:
Prof. Dr. W. H. Lamers / Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research /
w.h.lamers@amc.uva.nl / tel. +31 (0)20 566 5948
Dr. E. Wierenga / Dept. of Cell Biology & Histology / e.a.wierenga@amc.uva.nl / tel. +31 (0)20
566 4961
Application:
Via the Tytgat Institute secretariat; Ms Mona Brox Edvardsen / Tytgat Institute for Liver and
Intestinal Research / tytgat-institute@amc.uva.nl / tel. +31 (0)20 566 5948
More information:
From the coordinators.