Genetically altered mice: expect the unexpected?

Manipulations of the mouse genome have yielded tremendous advances for biomedical research. With the ever-increasing use of mice as animal models for disease, ensuring humane animal care and well-being at all stages of the res search process is the challenge for laboratory animal science. Genetic manipulations of rodents may result in unexpected adverse phenotypes that present problems from both regulatory and animal care–veterinary perspectives. Pritt and colleagues discuss the implications of unanticipated outcomes and describe a cage card–based tracking system used at Harvard Medical School for the early detection and handling of unanticipated phenotypes in genetically altered rodents. See page 27

Comfortable quarters and care for wild ground squirrels

Researchers use the 13-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) for studies of hibernation biochemistry and physiology, as well as for modeling a variety of potential biomedical applications of hibernation physiology. It is currently necessary to capture research specimens from the wild; this presents a host of unknown variables, not least of which is the stress of captivity. Moreover, many investigators are unfamiliar with the husbandry of this species. Vaughan et al. describe practical methods for their capture, year-round care (including hibernation), captive mating, and rearing of the young. These practices will allow the researcher to better standardize his or her population of research animals, optimizing the use of this interesting model organism. See page 33