Services
Mouse ES Cells Microinjection Service
Genetically modified mice can be developed in various ways. One of these is to create a new strain by homologous recombination. A targeting vector that contains the mutation to be introduced into the mouse genome is constructed. It is then introduced into mouse ES stem cells by electroporation. After culture and selection for the genomic insertion of the construct into the genome of the cells, recombinant clones can be identified.
These recombinant clones are microinjected into mouse blastocysts and the modified embryos are re-implanted into a pseudo-pregnant female. The ES stem cells are able to colonize the embryo and participate in its development. Resulting pups may show coats of mixed coat colours from the ES cells and the host embryo. Such animals are called chimeras. These chimeras are able to transmit the mutation to their descendents and so become founders of a new genetically modified strain.
Genetically modified mouse ES stem cells are available in the scientific community and can be easily shipped. We offer a service to microinject these ES cells into mouse blastocysts to generate your chimeras.
We will request you to supply ES cells, together with known health status and karyotype data.
The clone is amplified and part of it frozen in liquid nitrogen. Cells are injected until at least 3 chimeras are obtained, with a good percentage of chimerism, or until the injection of 150 blastocysts. Those chimeras returned will be at the same high health status of the mothers and can be used for further breeding.