What does LWM mean in UNCLASSIFIED

Little White Mouse (LWM) is a genetically modified mouse model that has been used in biomedical research for over 50 years. It is characterized by its small size, white coat, and high susceptibility to cancer. LWM has been used to study a wide range of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

LWM was created in 1964 by Dr. James Little at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. He crossed a C57BL/6 mouse with a DBA/2 mouse and then backcrossed the offspring to the C57BL/6 strain. The resulting mice were small, white, and highly susceptible to cancer.

LWM has several advantages over other mouse models. It is small and easy to handle, which makes it ideal for studying cancer in a laboratory setting. It is also highly susceptible to cancer, which allows researchers to study the effects of different cancer treatments. Additionally, LWM has a well-characterized genome, which makes it easy to identify the genes that are involved in cancer development.

LWM has some limitations as a mouse model. It is not as representative of human cancer as some other mouse models, such as the nude mouse. Additionally, LWM is not as responsive to some cancer treatments as other mouse models.

There are some ethical concerns associated with using LWM in research. LWM is a living animal, and it is important to treat it with respect and compassion. Researchers must take steps to minimize the pain and suffering of the mice, and they must ensure that the mice are euthanized humanely when their research is complete.