SITUATION MOUSE ALL FLOXED UP: EXPLORING PHENOTYPIC ABNORMALITIES IN BDNF FLOXED MICE

<p>Animal research is a contentious topic in both the scientific and general communities. It is essential that our animal models accurately and predictably depict intended phenotypes, necessitating careful colony monitoring and maintenance. Volunteer animal staff in the Ottem Laboratory became concerned when mice with LoxP sites flanking the BDNF gene depicted anxiety-like behaviors such as aggression, difficulty handling, and increased agitation. Though many studies have noted behavioral and phenotypic abnormalities related to large gene inserts, few have noted abnormalities with small gene inserts such as the 34 bp LoxP site. Brandt (2018) performed a three-stage behavioral protocol on these mice and found evidence of increased anxiety, possible motor abnormalities, slightly impaired sensorimotor gating (SMG) or hearing loss, and reduced muscle tone. We repeated the open field and prepulse inhibition (PPI) tests and likewise found increased anxiety, possible motor abnormalities, and severely reduced PPI. This data combined with Brandt’s research provides strong evidence of behavioral abnormalities associated with floxed BDNF mice in the Ottem Laboratory.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2026

Author dc:creator

• Burkman, Marissa A

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robert Belton

• BDNF
• Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor
• Cre-Lox Recombination
• Genetic Models
• Open Field Test
• Prepulse Inhibition
• Small Gene Inserts
• Unexpected Phenotype
• Artificial Insertions
• Knockout Model
• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
• Other Neuroscience and Neurobiology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/922

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1976