Satchit Kulkarni
Pronouns: He/Him
Research Mentor(s): Kenneth Kwan
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Michigan Neuroscience Institute / Human Genetics / Medicine
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 4: 1:40 pm – 2:30 pm
Poster: 42
Abstract
Due to the genetic similarities between mice and humans, the mouse model is an essential tool in biological research which facilitates insight into human physiology. However, necessary resources associated with breeding control mice (i.e. cost and space) are restrictive to biological experimentation. To address this, we are introducing a meta-control-mouse, a combination of control mice from 15 previous cortical experiments which have been compared, then their gene expression normalized and averaged. The resulting metamouse closely mirrors the gene expression profiles of control mice, providing a determinately reliable control group for future experiments, creating a resource light alternative to traditional litter-mate control breeding. The validation of this method through the re-application of previous experiments demonstrates the metamouse’s capabilities in matching the original experiment’s results, albeit with some variations, which further highlights the potential of using this model to study future results, ultimately proving that metamouse is a viable alternative. Experiments whose makeup was considered in the birth of the metamouse were successful, but shows moderately significant diversions from accuracy for experiments not directly considered.
