PDF file: EURASNET Annual Report 2008

tool for the molecular analysis of biological functions. This specific advantage cannot be achieved within vitro systems. Furthermore, mice represent the best model for studying slowly progressive disorderslike muscular dystrophy.Our preliminary data show that mice with a muscle-specific over-expression of the FRG1 gene displaya variety of features found in FSHD providing the first animal model of the disease. We are performinga detailed study of these mice to provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of FSHD and evaluatetherapeutic strategies. These studies are a crucial point for the delineation of the basis of FSHDpathogenesis and the development of an appropriate therapy for FHSD. These studies will not bepossible without mice.Currently, the space available at the animal facility of Fondazione San Raffaele del Monte Tabor(HSR) is not sufficient to host all the animals required for the different research groups. A new animalfacility in under construction, but it will not be available before 2010.Hence, it was necessary to identify an animal facility outside our Institution to host the animals that didnot find a home at HSR.For this reason, HSR contacted the two companies providing laboratory animal support services on theItalian territory: Charles River Laboratories and Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc. Based on the best qualityfor the money, an agreement was reached with Charles River. As a result, HSR investigators can keeptheir animals at Charles River at the same cost as keeping them at HSR.When my group started its activity at HSR, the HSR animal facility was already full and we had nooption other than to host our mice at Charles River. It should be noted that Charles River is involvedonly in maintaining the animals and is not performing any aspect of our research project. In otherwords, the interaction with Charles River concern the production of a service necessary for the goodimplementation of the project but do not constitute a core element of the project itself. I retain soleresponsibility for carrying out the actions and for compliance with the provision of the agreement. Forthese reasons, in Form C 12.686,91 Euro are claimed as Minor Subcontracts (F) and represents thecosts of maintaining our FSHD animal model at Charles River.187