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Modeling Brain Tumors Using Avian Retroviral Gene Transfer, Tod D. Holland, Eric C. Holland

Tod D Holland

RCAS/tv-a is a system for post-natal cell type specific gene transfer. It is used for the modeling of gliomas and medulloblastomas. This system provides a combination of lineage tracing from the cell origin with oncogenesis induced by mis-expression of specific genes. The genes that are most potent at inducing tumors are those that encode components of signal transduction and undifferentiated cells are most capable of serving as the cell of origin. The system effectively generates tumors with the histologic characteristics of human disease. Mice bearing RVAS/tv-a induced brain tumors are currently being used for preclinical trials to understand the biology …