Backcrossing your animal model reduces genetic variability and is often an essential step in the research process. At Charles River, we offer a speed congenics service, MAX-BAX®, that can dramatically reduce the time required (by up to 18 months) to fully backcross a line. This reduction is acheived by selecting animals with preferred genetic background as breeders for the next generation, resulting in a fully backcrossed animal in only five generations instead of ten.
Backcrossing Generations Recipient Genome % Comparison
| Generation |
Traditional Backcross
| Speed Backcross |
| F1 |
50% |
50% |
| N2 |
75% |
81% |
| N3 |
87.5% |
94% |
| N4 |
93.75% |
99% |
| N5 |
96.88% |
99.9% |
| N6 |
98.44% |
|
| N7 |
99.22% |
|
| N8 |
98.61% |
|
| N9 |
99.81% |
|
| N10 |
99.9% |
|
Our MAX-BAX® program can be performed via custom-designed, highly polymorphic Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) or Microsatellite panels, giving you the flexibility to select a technique that best fits your needs. By choosing Charles River for your speed congenics needs, you gain access to our highly-skilled project management team that will help you backcross your line quickly and affordably so you can focus on your research.
