Technical Services

We have established reproducible models of skin carcinogenesis in the mouse, that we have used for testing of many potential anti-cancer agents, in pure basic research and in collaboration with industry partners, such as sunscreens, phytochemicals, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory drugs, dietary alterations, other natural compounds. We use a laboratory source of solar simulated UV radiation for acute and chronic non-burning exposure of the mouse skin that models human sunlight exposure.

Skin tumours (squamous cell carcinoma) can be induced in mice by chronic UV exposures, and systemic or topical agents tested for effects on the rate of tumour development.

Transplantable tumours (melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma) are maintained as cultured cells, and can be injected into recipient mice intradermally, subcutaneously or intravenously, and agents tested for effects on rate of tumour growth.

As UV radiation is immunosuppressive, immune modulating drugs can be tested by their effects on the suppression of the contact hypersensitivity response in mice, an immune response that is relevant to human T cell mediated immune reactions. We have acknowledged expertise in this sensitive assay. Supporting evidence of immune status can be obtained by detection of immune mediators such as cytokines or key enzymes in the skin using molecular biology and immuno-histochemistry.