UMICH Transgenic Animal Model Core

Overview of Services

The University of Michigan Transgenic Animal Model Core was established in 1989 in response to the need for transgenic technology by University Investigators. The mission of the Transgenic Core is to provide access to transgenic animal technology in an efficient, effective manner. This includes:

1. Production of transgenic mice
2. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing in mice and rats
3. Production of transgenic rats and zinc finger nuclease gene knockout and knockin rats
4. Production of gene-targeted mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells for mouse knockout models and in vitro studies
5. Production of ES cell-mouse chimeras for mouse knockout models
6. Assisted reproduction technology for mice and rats
7. De novo derivation of mouse ES cells from custom mice
8. Hands-on training in mouse ES cell manipulation, pronuclear microinjection, and blastocyst injection

Researchers can use Transgenic Core laboratory space and resources side by side with staff members. Consultation in all phases of transgenic and gene targeting research from experimental design to mouse breeding is freely available. Meet the Staff. 

The Transgenic Core collaborates with the BAC Recombineering Core to prepare genetically modified bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs). The mission of the BAC Core is to provide access to a complex technology to investigators so that they can use their resources to conduct research instead of developing tools for research. BACs are genetically modified by homologous recombination (BAC recombineering) to prepare DNA mutations, insertions and deletions. BACs can be used as transgenes to express reporter molecules (GFP), Cre recombinase, and mutant alleles in cell culture and mice. The BAC Core also prepares gene targeting vectors for the modification of chromosomes in ES cells.

The Transgenic Mouse Core guarantees that at least three transgenic founder mice will be produced for each DNA construct. The overall average is ten founders. Since 1989 over 15,000 mouse transgenic founders were produced from more than 1,500 plasmid and BAC transgenes. Nearly 1000 transgenic rat founders have been produced, including BAC transgenic rat strains. Over 250 new mutant mouse models were produced by the electroporation of mouse ES cells with targeting vectors and another 60-odd strains were produced from ES cell clones obtained from the international mouse knock out project (KOMP). Some of these mouse and rat models have been published.

The Transgenic Core has used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to target genes in both mice and rats.  We provide testing of CRISPR/Cas9 reagents in both blastocysts and mouse ES cells or rat embryonic fibroblasts to confirm activity before using them to generate animal models.  We will work with investigators in design and development of CRISPR/Cas9 reagents specific to the investigator's project.

Referencing The CCSG:

When referencing the Core Grant in any of your publications or other materials, please use the following citation:

This research was supported (in part) by the National Institutes of Health through the University of Michigan’s Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA046592).

Referencing Shared Resources:

Please remember our Cores!  When referencing any Cancer Center supported core in any of your publications or other materials, please use the following citation:

This research was supported (in part) by the National Institutes of Health through the University of Michigan’s Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA046592) by the use of the following Cancer Center Core(s):  xxx

Leadership and Core Staff

Location and Hours of Operation

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Location: 2570 MSRB II SPC 5674

                1150 W. Med. Center Dr.

                Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Links and Resources

http://www.med.umich.edu/tamc

http://www.med.umich.edu/tamc/service.html

Contacts