2012- 21st Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Symposium

Session Time : 4/10/12 10:30 AM - 4/10/12 11:45 AM

Content Area : Genetics

Poster Appointment: , -

Student Presenters :
Megan Alyse Morse Genetics

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
David Threadgill Genetics

Abstract Title : Correlation between Genotype and Mouse Limb Length

Abstract :
Among the animals used in research, mice are among the most widely used organism due to the remarkable genetic similarity between mice and humans; making them the experimental choice in research (Hart). Within mice there are many genetic developmental markers that play an essential role in the development of limbs. Mice limbs develop in a series of 15 developmental stages that have been defined as the time from the first appearance of the limb bud to the completion of the limb outgrowth (Wanek). Genes that are commonly associated with limb development are; FGF10, AER, TBx4/5. FGF10 is associated with the formation of a limb, while the apical ectodermal ridge, AER, gene is responsible for the outgrowth of the limb. TBx4/5 is responsible for proximal/distal formation (Grubb). The experiment analyzed 150 mice specimens. The mice were packaged into 8” x 11” plastic packages; 4-6 mice per package dependent on specimen size. The packs of mice were then exposed to x-ray radiation, through means of a Faxatron x-ray unit. The radiograph was analyzed by completing a series of ten measurements through a measurement program, ImageJ. Measurements were taken in the following order, right to left; femur, tibia, hind foot, humerus, and ulna. The data suggests similar measurements between the length of the right and left limbs. This signifies symmetrical development. However, there is some variation; the future of the research will be to explore the cause of the variation in the measurements.