This is a unique didactic/hands-on workshop that provides a comprehensive overview of respiratory biology and, in particular, the use of mice as model systems of human lung diseases. The objectives of the workshop include reviews of basic lung biology, structure-function issues surrounding respiratory mechanics, immune responses linked with the pulmonary compartments as well as the lung microenvironment, and the techniques/strategies for reproducible measurements of lung function in mice. Laboratory-based exercises will provide participants with hands-on experience measuring airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), lung volumes and pressure-volume (PV) curves, lung morphometry, sampling techniques and mouse lung histopathology. In addition, the course will review basic mouse genetics, housing and breeding strategies, and survival surgical techniques. The course faculty is comprised of prominent members of the research community who are supported by a core group of research scientists providing insights into cutting edge technologies and experimental strategies.
Part of this workshop includes pathology sessions. If you have any FIXED slides you would like to have analyzed by the workshop pathologist, please bring them with you. Additionally, if you have any interesting FIXED slides you would like to share with the group, please bring these as well. IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT BRING FRESH TISSUE TO THE JACKSON LABORATORY!
Participants completing this workshop will have a working knowledge of basic pulmonary biology and the pathophysiology/histopathology accompanying lung diseases. More importantly, participants will gain the needed exposure to laboratory-based techniques for quantifying pulmonary structure, immunobiology, and lung function – all key endpoint metrics needed to utilize mice as model systems of human respiratory diseases.