Skip to content
Hope Center main logo
Narrow screen resolution Wide screen resolution Increase font size Decrease font size Default font size
Home arrow Core Directory arrow Transgenic Vectors Core
Transgenic Vectors Core PDF Print E-mail
Article Index
Transgenic Vectors Core
Services
Construct Request
Staff
Support
References
Links
Page 1 of 7

INTRODUCTION

Image
Neuromuscular Junction - Josh Sanes
Mouse transgenesis, the stable integration of foreign DNA into the mouse genome, is a key approach used in biomedical research to explore gene function and regulation and to model human disease. Applications include gain or loss of function studies, mapping regulatory elements or functional domains by analysis of gene expression and subcellular localization patterns, and generating reporter lines for in-vivo imaging of neuronal projection patterns. Innovations in mouse transgenesis technologies include conditional gene modifications that inactivate gene function in tissue-specific manners, thereby overcoming embryonic lethality; and BAC transgenes to circumvent the position effects commonly found in standard transgenic mice.

The Transgenic Vectors Core uses recombineering technologies to generate complex gene modifications not possible with restriction enzymes, instead using PCR and homologous recombination in bacteria to modify DNA. Phage-based homologous recombination systems in E. coli have made it possible to introduce mutations anywhere in the genome. Large segments of genomic DNA, such as those found on BACs (Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes) are now routinely modified using recombineering technologies. This facilitates production of mutant mice that were previously impossible to generate.

The Transgenic Vectors Core designs and constructs mouse transgenes and gene targeting vectors (including conditional knock-outs and reporters, and BAC transgenes) on a fee-for-service basis and is available for use by all Washington University investigators. Services are also available to users outside of the Washington University community.


Prev - Next >>