Balb/c

Balb/c is an inbred strain of laboratory mouse used extensively in research. This strain is known for its susceptibility to developing cancer and is widely used in immunology and infectious disease research.

History

The Balb/c strain was developed by Halsey J. Bagg in 1923 and has since become one of the most commonly used inbred strains in biomedical research. The strain was named after Bagg and the University of California, Berkeley (abbreviated as "Balb/c").

Characteristics

Balb/c mice are albino, with white fur and pink eyes. They are known for their docile nature and ease of handling, making them a preferred choice for laboratory experiments. These mice have a high incidence of mammary tumors and are particularly useful in cancer research.

Research Applications

Balb/c mice are widely used in various fields of research, including:

• Immunology: Due to their well-characterized immune system, Balb/c mice are frequently used in studies involving antibody production and vaccine development.
• Cancer research: Their susceptibility to developing tumors makes them ideal for studying cancer progression and testing anti-cancer drugs.
• Infectious disease: Balb/c mice are used to study the pathogenesis of various infectious agents and to evaluate the efficacy of new treatments.

Genetics

The Balb/c strain is genetically homogeneous, which ensures consistent and reproducible results in experiments. This genetic uniformity is achieved through inbreeding, where brother-sister matings are performed for at least 20 generations.

Related Strains

Several substrains of Balb/c have been developed, each with unique characteristics. Some of the notable substrains include:

• Balb/cJ
• Balb/cByJ
• Balb/cAnN

See Also

• Laboratory mouse
• Inbred strain
• Immunology
• Cancer research
• Infectious disease