A Carolina Center to Characterize and Maintain Mutant Mice

Univ Of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY For decades, the mouse has been the premier animal model for studies of human disease, providing the opportunity to explore experimental questions that are intractable for direct study in humans. As a result, key mechanistic insights have been obtained for various clinical conditions to inform therapeutic development. Spurred by advances in technology and international efforts to systematically knock out all of the protein coding genes in the genome, the number of genetically engineered mice has expanded rapidly in the past 20+ years. The responsibility for maintenance and distribution of mutant mice was initially placed on individual investigators, which was a tremendous burden in terms of cost, labor and space. In 1999, the NIH recognized the need for a resource to protect the investment in mutant mouse strains and ensure open access to all biomedical researchers. It established the Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Centers (MMRRC) to meet this need. Since 1999, the central goal of the MMRRC-UNC has been to work collectively with MMRRC consortium partners to develop and maintain high standards for importation, rederivation, cryopreservation, and distribution of mutant mouse strains to biomedical investigators and incorporate research goals that synergize with and extend the value of the resource. The MMRRC-UNC will continue contributing to these Consortium goals by implementing the following Specific Aims in the next project period: 1) Streamline and improve operating procedures to continue the efficient importation, distribution, and cryopreservation of mouse strains created by investigators throughout the United States and beyond. 2) Support the distribution and enhance the scientific value and long-term stability of the Collaborative Cross (CC) resource. 3) Implement Genetic QC (GQC) procedures to enhance the rigor and reproducibility of mouse models distributed by the MMRRC and advocate for their adoption across the biomedical research community. 4) Investigate the interaction of genetics and environment on experimental efficiency, variability, and reproducibility.