Creating and Maintaining Customized Knockin Mouse Models
The ability to engineer the mouse genome has made transgenic mice a powerful tool for modeling human disease. Through Charles River's model creation services, all types of mutations are achievable: complex and mutli-allelic mutations, constitutive knockin mice, humanized mice, point mutation knockin mice, tag/reporter, and target transgenesis.
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Rodent Model Genetic Quality Control
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Knockin Mice Mutations
- Constitutive KI Mice: This model is engineered to carry a cDNA sequence coding for a protein in a selected locus.
- Point Mutation KI Mice: This model consists of the replacement of one or a few DNA bases in the sequences of a specified gene.
- Humanized Mice: This model consists of the replacement of the murine gene by its human counterpart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Knockin Mice
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What are knockin mice?
Knockin mice are created through genetic engineering techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9*. For larger genomic modifications, selected genes are added or modified in embryonic stem cells, which are then implanted into a surrogate mother to produce offspring with the desired genetic changes.
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How are knockin mice used in biomedical research?
Knockin mice are used to study the roles of specific genes in disease and to develop new treatments for those diseases. They can also be used to study the effects of environmental factors on gene expression and disease development.
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What types of diseases can be studied using knockin mice?
Knockin mice can be used to study a wide range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.
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How are knockin mice used in oncology research?
Knockin mice are often used in oncology research to study the genetic basis of cancer. By inserting or modifying specific genes associated with cancer, researchers can study the effects of these genetic changes on the development and progression of cancer in the mice. These genetically engineered models also provide a model system for testing potential cancer treatments and therapies.
Knockin mice have been used in a variety of cancer research studies, including those focused on breast cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia. They have also been used to study the effects of specific cancer treatments and therapies. -
How are knockin mice used in neuroscience research?
Knockin mice are used to study the effects of specific genes on brain development, behavior, and disease. They are also used to test potential treatments for neurological disorders. By studying the effects of a treatment on a specific gene or biological process, researchers can determine its potential efficacy and safety. Knockin mice have been used in research on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, autism, and other neurological disorders. They have also been used to study the effects of specific neurotransmitters and receptors on brain function.
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What is a point mutation mouse?
Point mutation mice are knockin mice that include substitutions, insertions, and deletions of one or more bases, and are a major tool for evaluating the roles of specific nucleotides or amino acids within the regulatory or functional landscape.
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What are some of the advantages of using knockin mouse models?
Knockin mice are used for multiple applications, such as human disease recapitulation, compound efficacy assessment, promoter activity study, mutant protein expression, cell trafficking following marker gene introduction, gene replacement by reporter gene, and humanization.
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Are there further considerations for knockin mouse projects?
Modification of human orthologue proteins in mice may not completely reflect the role of a gene in human pathology.
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What are the methods used for generating a knockin mouse model?
Depending on your project and objectives, knockin mice can be obtained through homologous recombination in ES cells, genome editing nucleases, random transgenesis, and targeted transgenesis.
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What further services do you offer for knockin mice?
- Mouse & Rat Contract Breeding
- Transgenic Mouse & Rat Model Creation
- Genetic Testing Services
- Embryology (including cryopreservation and rederivation)
- Rapid Colony Development
- Animal Quarantine
- Line Rescue
*CRISPR/CAS9 used under licenses to granted and pending US and international patents from The Broad Institute and ERS Genomics Limited.