 | Author: Srushti Pandya, undergrad student |
 | Author: Katie Powell, Research assistant |
 | Faculty mentor: Lorenzo Sempere, Radiology Department faculty member |
 | Author: Katarzyna Kempinska, Postdoctoral Fellow |
Abstract:
microRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules that are often responsible for regulating gene expression. Here, we studied the global loss of microRNA-21 (miR-21) and microRNA-10b (miR-10b) in K-Ras-driven genetically engineered mouse models of PDAC (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma). We generated mouse strains carrying wild type or knockout alleles of Mir-21 and Mir-10b in a well-characterized K-Ras-driven, p53-deleted PDAC model (LSL-KrasG12D; p53lox/+; Pdx1-Cre, KPC). This presentation covers various research methods that were frequently used in order to study the effects of these two microRNAs, as well as the results and implications of the results. Additionally, numerous PCRs were run throughout the last few months which allowed for genotyping to confirm all genetic components were present. Mice were then selected for tracking based off of the genotyping results. Analysis of survival curves and tissue histology of mice with and without the microRNAs of interest were then studied. The results showed increased tumor burden at an earlier age in the microRNA knockout (KO) mice. Studying the results of these research methods has allowed for a more thorough understanding and comparison on the effects of miR-10b and miR-21 in pancreatic cancer.
Please view presentation by clicking this link: Understanding Micro RNA functions in PDAC mouse models – MSU MediaSpace