Generating an Excisional Skin Wound in a Mouse Model via Punch Biopsy

For excisional skin wounding of the recipient animals, confirm a lack of response to toe pinch before shaving a 1- by 2-inch section on the back of the mouse. Gently wipe to remove any stray hairs, and disinfect the exposed skin with sequential 10% povidone-iodine and 70% ethanol-soaked gauze applications, moving outward from the center of the surgical area in a spiral pattern.

After allowing the skin to dry for about one minute, firmly press a sterile 6-millimeter punch biopsy at the center of the prepared surgical area. Twist the punch biopsy to create a circular outline on the skin that fully cuts through the skin tissue in at least one section of the outline, taking care not to cut into the underlying fascia or tissue. Then, use sterile scissors and forceps to cut through the epidermis and dermis, following the circular pattern imprinted by the punch biopsy.