Cancer Mouse Models Core
Mission
The Cancer Mouse Models Core (CMMC) aspires to make translational research an attainable goal for all Massey researchers. The CMMC provides expertise and services that facilitate preclinical mouse models to support the development of novel cancer therapeutics and precision medicine.
The CMMC works collaboratively with other Massey shared resources, providing assistance with mouse models by using a variety of drug delivery methods, surgical techniques, and animal procedures. The shared resource also offers support with several different types of mouse models: syngeneic models, genetically engineered mice, and xenograft models. The CMMC combines knowledge of preclinical drug testing and cancer mouse models to design and perform experiments that produce accurate data.
- Services
The Cancer Mouse Models Shared Resource (CMMC) provides the following services for cancer researchers:
Service Hourly rate* Animal project and grant consultation Free of charge/ collaboration Orthotopic tumor growth
$60 Monitoring tumor growth by caliper measurements (GEM** or xenografts)
$60 Tumor metastasis studies (GEM** or xenografts)
[Spontaneous or experimental (intravenous, intraperitoneal, intracardiac) metastasis]$60 Imaging tumor growth and spread using the IVIS $65 Administration of therapeutic agents
$60 Animal survival surgery
$60 Euthanasia and collection of tumor tissue
$60 Data analysis
$60 Lentivirus (Lenti-tdTomato-Luc)
Price varies Supply of NOD-SCID-IL2R-Gamma null (NSG) mice (in house bred)
$33/mouse, female
$20/mouse, male
(6 wks old)Microtome usage by user. Make reservation here
$8 *Rate at per hour to be charged in 15-minute increments
**The Transgenic/Knock-out Mouse facility can make and breed GEMs and our facility can perform tumor and cancer drug studies with these mice.To request a CMMC service, please complete and submit the online service request form.
Histology Service Submission Form
CMMC Histology sample requirements
Massey member subsidy benefit
Massey subsidizes 25 percent of the cost of members’ core laboratory usage for the following Massey-supported, fee-for-service shared resources:
- Flow Cytometry Shared Resource
- VCU Lipidomics/Metabolomics Shared Resource
- Structural Biology Shared Resource
- Tissue and Data Acquisition and Analysis Core
- Transgenic/Knock-out Mouse Facility Shared Resource
- Microscopy Shared Resource
To receive this member benefit, please initiate core lab services using a VCU index code associated with your name. When you are billed for core laboratory usage, the Rams FORCE system will automatically split the invoice between your index code and a Massey account established for this purpose. You will be charged 75 percent of the published rate and Massey will provide a 25 percent co-pay to cover the balance. Please direct any questions or concerns about the member subsidy benefit to Paul Fawcett, Ph.D. at pfawcett@vcu.edu or (804) 833-1959.
- Equipment
The CMMC has exclusive use of the following equipment:
- An IVIS Spectrum Preclinical In Vivo Imaging System, a state-of-the-art system for non-invasively monitoring cancer growth and migration
- A motorized ultra-precise small animal stereotaxic instrument
- A dedicated room containing equipment for cancer cell culture and preparation
- Anesthesia equipment
- Several software packages that facilitate data management and analysis, including StudyLog
- Vectra Polaris Automated Quantitative Pathology Imaging System
- Leica BOND RX automated H&E staining system in the equipment tab
- Storz Coloview Endoscope System for small animals
- HemaVet Hematology System for circulating cell counting
- Contact
The Cancer Mouse Models Core is operated by Jennifer Koblinski and Bin Hu. Please contact them to discuss how they can best facilitate your scientific goals, or complete the online service request form.
Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D.
Core director
Assistant professor, Department of Pathology
(804) 827-0738
jennifer.koblinski@vcuhealth.orgBin Hu, Ph.D.
Lab and research manager of the Cancer Mouse Models Shared Resource
(804) 628-5040
bhu@vcu.eduPamela J. Gigliotti
Histology technician
pjgigliotti@vcu.eduVita Kraskauskiene
Lab technician
vita.kraskauskiene@vcuhealth.orgLocation
MCC 1-112 (histology) and MCC 1-108 (mouse models)
(804) 628-5040
masseymouse@vcu.edu -
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Citation
All publications that include results, services or products generated by VCU Massey Cancer Center Shared Resources must include the following acknowledgement in the manuscript:
"Services and products in support of the research project were generated by the Virginia Commonwealth University Cancer Mouse Models Core Laboratory, supported, in part, with funding from NIH-NCI Cancer Center Support Grant P30 CA016059."
PubMed Central (PMC) ID numbers are required for those publications that use CCSG-supported shared resources. All of Massey Cancer Center's shared resources are supported by the CCSG.
Suggested grant language
The VCU Cancer Mouse Models Core Laboratory (CMMCL) facilitates in vivo translational research by providing assistance with mouse models of cancer and in vivo drug testing as well as pathology services. Directed by Jennifer Koblinski, PhD, the core employs the core additionally employs a full time lab manager and 2.25 FTE experienced in designing and performing experiments using syngeneic, xenograft [including patient-derived xenograft (PDX)], and genetically engineered mouse models of primary and metastatic cancer. CMMCL staff members provide experiment consultation and train researchers in specific animal procedures. Additionally, the CMMCL provides histology services including H&E staining, IHC, ISH and OPAL staining. We have an Akoya Biosciences, Vectra Polaris and Infrom software, which allows for automated quantitative pathology imaging. The facility is equipped with: a cell culture and preparation room that includes a BSL2 cell culture hood, Zeiss Axio Zoom V16 fluorescence dissection microscope, and BioRad TC20 automatic desktop cell counter; a KOPF 963SD Neurostar Motorized Ultra Precise Small Animal Stereotaxic Instrument for precise delivery of drug or tumor cells; an IVIS Spectrum preclinical in vivo imaging system; Coloview for endoscopy of small animals; Hemavet for Complete Blood Count, and data management and analysis tools that include StudyLog Desktop software, Living Image 4.5.1 software, ImageJ software, and access to the MCC shared research drive. The CMMCL is located on the first floor of the Massey Cancer Center Goodwin Research Laboratories in rooms MCC 1-112 (histology) and MCC 1-108 (mouse models). The facility is supported, in part, by funding from the NIH-NCI Cancer Center Support Grant P30 CA 016059.
