Performing Flow Cytometry on isolated mammary cells to examine the level of homogeneity: The results indicate more than 90% purity in the mammary epithelial population (Ck18+) in the cells from 7 animals propagated to passage 4-5.

Analysing the results from the first pilot study with induction of lactation on the isolated cells: Comparing the gene expression results of various genes related to milk protein synthesis shows higher expressions of two milk protein genes when the cells are treated with Bovine Pituitary Extract (BPE) compared to treatment with prolactin.

BPE was selected as the lactogenic agent and used to induce lactation in the second study using the cells from 4 animals.

Analysing the cell growth of all animals (3 experiments with 7 animals) when treated with various FBS percentages (0, 1.25, 5 and 10%), to determine the optimal FBS needed in the culture system for the cell growth.

To obtain a more complete picture, the effect of reducing FBS (lower than 10%) in the culture system, on the expression of the genes related to milk protein synthesis will also be looked at.

• Continuing preparatory steps on the cells
  • Performing purification steps on the isolated cells to enrich the mammary epithelial population
• Optimisation process for the induction of lactation experiment including a pilot, prior to performing the main study on different animals
• Subjecting the results to proteomics and gene expression analyses

• Establishment and optimisation of several cell culture and cell biology techniques in the lab including;
• Isolation of primary mammary cells from the tissue of cows in two different lactation stages
• Biological characterisation of the isolated cells such as fluorescent staining against the specific marker and determination of optimal level of FCS need
• Continuing preparatory steps on the cells
• Performing purification steps on the isolated cells to enrich the mammary epithelial population
• Optimisation process for the induction of lactation experiment including a pilot, prior to performing the main study on different animals
• Subjecting the results to proteomics and gene expression analyses