Mouse Genotyping Services

Our automated system is optimized to extract tissue samples (ear, tail, oral swabs, hair, feces, dried tears, or organs (e.g. brain, kidney liver)) for genotyping. Simply collect and send us the tissue. If you wish to genotype any other material or tissue, please contact us via [email protected] to check feasibility.

The purified DNA is stored for nine months at no extra cost. If retesting or additional analyses are requested, please submit a new order via LTM™ making reference to the stored DNA and its associated LTM™ order number. In addition, please contact [email protected] with the new order number.

Our mouse genotyping protocols cover both conventional PCR and conventional PCR genotyping services followed by enzyme digestion, both using capillary gel electrophoresis for the analysis of fragments.

We also provide qPCR zygosity testing (TaqMan^® or SYBR^® Assay) to discriminate between heterozygous, homozygous and hemizygous genetically modified animals – this analysis is only used for transgene animals to determine the relative copy number. Absolute copy number of transgenes in the genome is also a service we can offer. Small mutations, deletions, insertions, and duplications can be determined by using real time Endpoint Analysis (TaqMan^® Assay).

Please follow these submission guidelines or contact us [email protected] to learn more.

The estimated turnaround time for routine samples is 48 – 72 hours from receipt of samples to submission of results. A turnaround time of 24 hours may be possible without additional cost. Contact us [email protected] to learn more.

PCR fragments are analyzed using our microfluidic PerkinElmer LabChip^® GX electrophoresis platform, which is highly sensitive. Compared to traditional gel-based assays, the platform provides additional data (e.g., intensity of allele-specific peaks) that enables highly accurate, automated result interpretation.

Additionally, fragment separation using capillary electrophoresis runs faster and is less susceptible to human errors. The GX software is able to automatically make rat and mouse genotyping calls and transfer result data directly to our Laboratory Testing Management^® (LTM™) system.

When setting up a new assay, please provide:

Conventional PCR

Real-time PCR

If no rat or mouse genotyping protocol is available, please provide the sequence of interest so that our scientific staff can design appropriate primers. When setting up a new analysis, it is important to use the same sample type at this stage as for subsequent routine samples to ensure comparability of results.

Correct handling while sampling is critical in order to avoid contamination:

• Use sterile and sharp tools for biopsy procedure.
• Sanitize the ear puncher and scissors using an appropriate method.
• Clean the ear puncher and scissors between animals to avoid sample contamination.
• Before sampling, make sure the animal's number and sex correspond to those listed on the genotyping request.
• Visually verify that each tube is clean and correctly labeled. There should be only one sample in each tube.
• Select the tissue to be sampled depending on the age of the animal.
• Use standardized sample sizes to reduce the risk of false negative results as a possible result of either increased inhibitors or insufficient template concentration.
  • Tail biopsies:  0.3 – 0.5 cm
  • Ear biopsies:  0.1 – 0.3 cm

Storage at -20 °C is recommended. If samples are to processed within 24 hours of sampling, they may be stored at 4 °C.

Yes, we offer transgenic mouse genotyping services for animal lines that were modified using CRISPR*, TALEN or ZFNs. We can do the same testing for rat models. If there is no genotyping protocol, a primer design may be offered.

An important component of breeding transgenic mice or rats is making sure they have the expected genotype. The genotype for certain mouse genes can be wild-type, homozygous, heterozygous, and occasionally hemizygous (X-linked genes or transgenes). As the genotype influences the phenotype, it is crucial to routinely genotype transgenic mice and rats to detect genetic drift.

Genotyping PCR is a diagnostic technique in which PCR primers are designed to amplify either a portion of a transgene (in a transgenic rodent) or a mutation (in a mutant mouse or rat). The primers are then used in a reaction containing DNA which can be taken from different animal tissues depending on requirements.

DNA for mouse genotyping can be obtained in several ways depending on lab practices and the amount of DNA required for the assay. Mouse tail genotyping is among the more popular methods. DNA can also be sampled from ear tissue in animals whose ears have been punched for identification purposes.

There are several informative papers on optimizing rat and mouse genotyping protocols, including: