Skip to Content

Advanced Methods for Animal Experiments: Essential Protocols


Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) Assay: Oxidative Stress Measurement
The TBARS assay is a widely-used method for quantifying lipid peroxidation, a marker of oxidative stress. This protocol measures malondialdehyde (MDA), a byproduct of lipid degradation, in animal tissue or plasma samples. TBARS is essential in studies investigating oxidative damage in diseases such as atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, and cancer.

Animal Models Protocols: Key Techniques for Disease Research
Animal models provide an invaluable resource for simulating human diseases, allowing for the study of pathophysiology and testing potential treatments. This protocol encompasses the steps for developing and utilizing animal models, covering areas such as genetic manipulation, induced disease states, and behavioral analysis.

Aseptic Technique: Maintaining Sterility in Animal Research
Aseptic techniques are critical in preventing contamination during animal experiments, particularly in surgeries or procedures involving tissue cultures. This protocol provides guidelines for ensuring sterile conditions, minimizing the risk of infection, and ensuring the reliability of experimental results in preclinical research.

Mouse Aorta Ring Assay: Studying Angiogenesis and Vascular Biology
The mouse aorta ring assay is a tool for investigating angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation. By isolating and culturing mouse aorta segments, researchers can study how various factors influence blood vessel growth, which is key for cancer research, wound healing, and cardiovascular diseases.

All Mouse Models Federated Database: A Resource for Mouse Genetics
The All Mouse Models Federated Database is a comprehensive resource that catalogs mouse models used in research. This protocol outlines how to search and utilize this database to find specific mouse strains with genetic modifications relevant to various research fields, including oncology, immunology, and metabolic disorders.

Glucose and Insulin Tolerance Tests: Assessing Metabolic Health
This protocol provides methods for conducting glucose and insulin tolerance tests in animal models, typically mice or rats. These tests measure how well an animal can regulate blood sugar, offering insights into insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, which are critical in diabetes and obesity research.

Murine Models of Human Breast Cancer (A): Mimicking Tumor Growth
Murine models of human breast cancer are essential for studying tumor biology and testing therapeutic strategies. This protocol focuses on transplanting human breast cancer cells into mice, creating an in vivo model that replicates human tumor growth and metastasis for drug testing and biological investigations.

Murine Models of Human Breast Cancer (B): Testing Drug Efficacy
Building on the previous protocol, this section explores the use of murine models to evaluate the efficacy of anticancer drugs. Researchers use these models to assess tumor response to treatment, providing a preclinical platform for developing and optimizing cancer therapies before clinical trials.

Chorioallantoic Membrane Vascular Assay: A Model for Angiogenesis
The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, performed on chicken embryos, is used to study angiogenesis and vascular biology. This protocol involves grafting tissue or tumors onto the membrane, allowing researchers to assess how blood vessels form in response to various stimuli or drug treatments.

Guidelines for Techniques with Rodents: Ethical and Practical Standards
This protocol provides comprehensive guidelines for conducting experiments with rodents, emphasizing ethical considerations, humane treatment, and regulatory compliance. It covers best practices for handling, anesthesia, surgery, and postoperative care to ensure the well-being of the animals and the accuracy of the experimental outcomes.

Tail Vein Injection Techniques: Administering Substances in Rodents
Tail vein injection is a common method for administering drugs, dyes, or other substances in rodents. This protocol details the techniques for successfully performing intravenous injections, ensuring accurate delivery into the bloodstream while minimizing stress and discomfort to the animal.

Animal Search Engines: Finding Resources and Data on Animal Models
Animal search engines are specialized tools that help researchers locate relevant animal models, protocols, and data for their studies. This protocol explains how to navigate and use these search engines effectively, connecting researchers to a wealth of information on various species and experimental setups.