Group - Micromanipulation subgroup - Mouse cloning

Mouse is still the most important model species, due to the amount of knowledge generated about its genome, gene functions, and proteomics. Targeted transgenesis in the mouse species has become a versatile tool for the production of experimental models of human diseases. The availability of embryonic stem (ES) cell technology for genetic engineering provides the only direct comparison with ES or somatic cell and nuclear replacement derived individuals, carrying the same genetic modifications.

The team is working on the generation of nuclear transfer mice with genetic modifications from somatic and ES cells. Production of viable and fertile mice have been reported by nuclear replacement, however, the reasons behind the frequent deformations among foetuses and progeny are not well understood. Activation and in vitro culture methods are also important. Origin of the nuclear donor cells affects success rates, and their survival in culture varies. It has been reported that offspring of nuclear replacement parental mice were normal and fertile. All epigenetic problems in the parents seem to be erased when cell nuclei go through the germ line. If tests in the “mouse clinic” system (by collaborating partner GSF) for a wide range of parameters will demonstrate that such 2^nd and 3^rd generation cloned animals are indeed phenotypically equivalent to conventional transgenic mouse models then this would open the possibility to develop novel techniques of genetic engineering based on somatic gene targeting and nuclear replacement.  

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