Services
- Mouse and Rat Microsatellite and SNP Genotyping Supporting Marker-Assisted Backcrossing (Speed Congenics)
- Genetic Background Characterization of Genetically Engineered Mouse Lines
- Mouse and Rat Cell Line Characterization
- Passenger Mutation Analysis (e.g., Crb1<rd8>; Nnt deletion, etc.)
- H2 (MHC) Haplotyping and PCR Sex Determination
- Consultations in Rodent Genetics
To request services, please use iLab
Mouse and Rat Microsatellite and SNP Genotyping Supporting Marker-Assisted Backcrossing (Speed Congenics)
Transgenic and targeted mutants (e.g. knock-ins and knock-outs) often need to be transferred to a more suitable inbred background for phenotypic analysis orin order to mend an laready mixed background (for example, as commonly results from crossing cre-expressing lines with floxed-allele lines). Traditional congenic strain development requires a series of backcrosses between the donor strain carrying the mutation and a recipient strain with a defined genetic background, typically an inbred strain, over many successive backcrosses, taking from three to five years. Marker-assisted (speed congenic) protocols can reduce the number of backcross generations from 10 to five and can be completed in 18 months..
Genetic Background Characterization of Genetically Engineered Mouse Lines
Sharing genetically modified mouse lines has become commonplace; however most of these modified lines are not well characterized in terms of genetic background often having a mixed background (e.g., 129;B6). Different mouse backgrounds can carry background-specific mutions or modifier genes. Thus, genetic background can strongly influence phenotype, as is well-known for Trp53 and Pten null mice. The core's Background Strain Characterization service can estimate the percentage of alleles of the inbred backgrounds implicated in your mouse or rat model.
Mouse and Rat Cell Line Characterization
Cross-contamination or misidentification of cell lines is a serious
problem that is expected to be as widespread in rodent cell lines as
it is in human cell lines (15-30% misidentified or contaminated).
LAGS offers short tandem repeat (STR), and single nucleotide
polymorphism (SNP) analysis for mouse and rat cell line
characterization. The core's PCR-based technique identifies the inbred
strain from which the cell line was derived and rules out
cross-contamination with other cell lines, but will not conclusively
identify a particular cell line. For example, DNA from a pure B16
melanoma cell line will have a C57BL/6 profile reflecting its origin,
but will not be distinguished from the LLC cell line, also
established from C57BL/6. For ES cell line characterization, please
use our Background Characterization service.
Passenger Mutation Analysis
Passenger
mutations are mutations that are hidden in the genomes of substrains
and potentially affect experimental outcomes. These mutations
typically arise through genetic drift that occurs when populations,
derived from the same original inbred stain, are separated. Over time,
this separation results in spontaneous mutations resulting in new and
unique phenotypes. For example, mice of the C57BL substrain C57BL/6N
(NIH) but not C57BL/6J (JAX) are homozygous for a single nucleotide
deletion of Crb1 (rd8 mutation) that renders them
inadequate for behavioral studies requiring vision. In the case of
mixed or unknown backgrounds , these mutations can produce unusual or
unexpected results. LAGS offers specific genotypes for these
mutations: Crb1 (rd8), Nnt,
Skint1, Casp4, Gpr84, Patch1 and
Pde6b (rd1).
Mouse H2 Haplotyping and Sex Determination
LAGS offers a PCR-based assay to determine the Major
Histocompatibility Complex (H2) haplotype for your mice. This
information is useful for projects involving tissue grafts between
genetically modified or mutant mice with undefined H2 haplotypes, to
help prevent graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease. The core
also offers a PCR assay for accurate sex determination in mice.
PCR Testing for Rodent Infectious Agents
We offer infectious diseases testing for the following agents: Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera (pinworms), Myocoptes musculinus, Myobia musculi, and Radfordia affinis (fur mites) Helicobacter spp., and Campylobacter spp. Tests for other infectious agents can also be developed and implemented according to your specific needs.
Consultations in Rodent Genetics
Core personnel also provide general information in mouse and rat genetics. These include: standard nomenclature for inbred strains and rodent genes and proteins, selection of the appropriate inbred background, development of genetic crosses, linkage analysis for simple genetic traits, etc.
Contact Us
Fernando Benavides, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACLAM
Director, Laboratory Animal Genetic Services
Professor, Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis
Phone: 512-237-9343
Email: fbenavid@mdanderson.org
The Virginia Harris Cockrell Cancer Research Center
at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park, Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 389, Smithville, Texas 78957
Physical Address: 1808 Park Road 1C, Smithville, Texas 78957