Transgenic Mouse Facility

Research Inst Of Fox Chase Can Ctr, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – SHARED RESOURCE: TRANSGENIC MOUSE FACILITY The Transgenic Mouse Facility (TMF) directed by Kappes (NDC) provides the ability to introduce manipulated genes and delete or modify endogenous genes in the germline of animals for FCCC members. This represents a key technology for studying the role of specific genes of interest in normal development and cancer. The TMF has developed a high level of expertise in using site-specific nucleases, in particular CRISPR/Cas9 technology, for gene targeting in mouse embryos, which has led to generation of numerous novel animal models. Mouse models generated by the TMF have uncovered important new roles for the targeted genes in normal mammalian physiology and disease, directly supporting the center’s overarching pillar of innovation and discovery. The centralized TMF allows users access to specialized technical expertise and equipment in a cost effective and efficient manner. The TMF is utilized by investigators from all three research programs. The TMF also provides services to investigators from the main Temple University Campus, which lacks its own TMF, and is quite heavily utilized by Temple faculty, thereby contributing to integration with Temple. TMF services are also essential to cancer investigators at two other nearby NCI designated Centers, the Wistar Institute and Thomas Jefferson University, which also do not have their own transgenic facilities. User surveys indicate that mouse models generated by the Facility have been instrumental in obtaining substantial new NIH funding (>7 major grants in the last cycle), and high profile publications (Nature, Science, Nat. Immunol. etc.), demonstrating that the TMF leverages extensive institutional and chargeback support to facilitate new grant support and ground-breaking discoveries. The specific aims of the TMF are to: Aim 1. Generate transgenic and knockout mouse models for the in vivo study of a broad range of biological processes, including cancer, development, cell signaling, transcription and immunity. Aim 2. Provide support and advice for investigators during all phases of knockout and transgenic mouse projects, including targeting strategy and vector design. Aim 3. Provide investigators with mouse embryo cryopreservation services to protect irreplaceable mouse lines in the event of a catastrophic event in the Laboratory Animal Facility (LAF), and to preserve mouse lines that are not in current use. The TMF also rederives mouse lines with unknown/unacceptable health status to exclude harmful pathogens from the LAF. Thus, the TMF recently rederived 23 mouse lines in a major effort to eliminate C. bovis from the LAF. The TMF scored ‘Outstanding’ at the previous review and has serviced 29 FCCC members during this cycle (2019- 2023 (October) from all three Research Programs and supported 25 publications. For the 12 months ending 10/31/23, 86% of the users were peer-review funded FCCC members with 96% of the usage for services in support of peer-review funded research.