Indian Muntjac Deer Skin Fibroblast Cells

No other mammal possesses as few diploid chromosomes as the Indian Muntjac. Male Indian Muntjacs have seven large chromosomes, and the females only retain six chromosomes. Their small number and considerable size render cell lines established from Indian Muntjacs well suited for investigations focusing on the process of mitosis. In the burgeoning field of telomere biology, Indian Muntjac cells are often used as a model system. Telomere research has become increasingly popular in recent years as scientists attempt to develop a better understanding of cancer, which involves cells being able to overcome the phenomenon of chromosomal telomere shortening.