Thalidomide-induced teratogenesis in gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica)
Sorensen, Daniel Wood
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/88165
Description
Title
Thalidomide-induced teratogenesis in gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica)
Author(s)
Sorensen, Daniel Wood
Issue Date
2015-07-07
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Sears, Karen E.
Department of Study
School of Integrative Biology
Discipline
Biology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Thalidomide
Monodelphis
Abstract
From 1957 to 1962, Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women as an antiemetic and was later discovered to cause serious birth defects. Thalidomide is currently being prescribed to treat erythema nodosum leprosum and multiple melanoma, and is being considered for other anti-angiogenic applications. This is of concern, as the mechanisms by which thalidomide disrupts development remain largely unknown. This lack of knowledge is largely due to the absence of an appropriate model mammalian system. Traditional mammal models, such as rats and mice, are resistant to the teratogenic properties of thalidomide. We propose to develop the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) as a novel mammalian to study thalidomide teratogenesis. In M. domestica we have successfully recreated most morphological defects found in human thalidomide victims. Through RNA sequencing, we have also identified two gene that may play a significant role in the mechanism of thalidomide induced birth defects.
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