|
GTTF provides multiple services that fall into four
categories: microinjection, gene targeting, genetic
analysis and assisted reproduction. The major services are
outlined below.
|
|
The transgenic mouse has assumed increasing importance as an
experimental system in recent years. Studies of normal gene function,
altered gene expression, cis elements responsible for tissue-specific
patterns of gene expression, and the production of animal models for
human diseases are but some of the types of studies made possible by
transgenic mouse technology. The Gene Targeting and Transgenic Facility
(GTTF) provides a centralized service to efficiently produce transgenic
mice for basic research for University of Virginia researchers and
affiliated faculty.
Our facility is located within a microbiologic barrier in the new
MR5 vivarium, so that mice supplied to you are as "clean" as those
purchased from approved vendors, e.g. JAX.
|
 |
|
| We microinject your DNA construct into the
male pronucleus of the mouse zygote, and reimplant these into foster
mothers to make transgenic mice. From one to several hundred copies of
the transgene are integrated, usually at a single site and arranged in
head to tail tandem arrays. Each transgenic founder animal will have
the transgene integrated at a unique genomic site that may affect the
expression of the transgene. We have made hundreds
of transgenic lines from many different constructs. We provide a
guarantee of 3 founder animals per construct. |
|
|
GTTF can begin a new gene targeting project by consulting with
investigators in the design of the targeting construct. We
outsource the construct making process.
|
|
|
We perform gene targeting in ES cells of your choice and provide you
with selection drug resistant ES cell clones for Southern
screening.
|
|
 We
microinject your targeted embryonic stem (ES) cells into the blastocoel
of the 3.5 day mouse embryo and implant these into foster mothers to
make chimeric mice. This is a crucial step in the production of mice
carrying a targeted mutation. We have been very successful at producing
chimeric mice giving high rates of germline transmission of targeted ES
cells carrying the desired mutation. |
|
