The purpose of the MMRRC is to act as a repository for mutant strains of mice.

For decades the mouse has been the most popular surrogate model for humans. The Collaborative Cross (CC) is a large panel of recently established recombinant inbred (RI) mouse lines specifically designed to overcome the limitations of existing genetic resources and to act as an optimal murine model of heterogeneous human populations.

The Mouse Cardiovascular Models Core Facility within the UNC McAllister Heart Institute was established in spring of 2003. It was designed as a central animal physiology and experimental surgical laboratory to serve a variety of investigators encompassing various fields of medicine and biology, particularly those with an interest in cardiovascular disease.

Levels of locomotion and rearing are measured using an automated activity system (VersaMax System, AccuScan Instruments). These data can be used to quantitate hyper- or hypo- activity in experimental groups, and to detect aberrant exploration and habituation in a novel environment.

We provide light microscopy and electron microscopy services to UNC researchers and UNC Hospitals.