Anna Chittenden ’27, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Anna Chittenden ’27

Major

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Project Title

Naturalizing the Environmental Experience of “Model Mammals” for Immunology and Beyond

Minor(s):  Spanish

Since the early 1900s, lab mice have been the most widely used laboratory animal in biomedical research. However, lab mice have begun to exhibit unusually different immune profiles compared to free-living mammals as a result of selective breeding and their controlled living environments, and these immunological differences have resulted in the unsuccessful translation of therapies between lab mice and humans. To test how environment impacts immune response, I compared the immune responses of lab mice housed in a lab environment with “rewilded” mice that were released into a more natural environment at Stony Ford Research Station. I worked in the field to maintain the mouse enclosures, replaced water and chow for the mice and replaced batteries on radio-frequency identification tag readers. I also helped collect blood, skin and fecal samples from the mice at different timepoints of the experiment. In the lab, I processed these samples by extracting plasma and performing worm and egg counts to compare the immune responses of the lab and “rewilded” mice. I also learned to use the programming language R to analyze our large dataset. This internship enabled me to experience both lab and field research and learn from some truly inspiring and supportive mentors.