The Nevada Transgenic Center at the University of Nevada , Reno (UNR) was established in October 2001 from a Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant from the National Center for Research Resources ( NCRR ) at the NIH. This COBRE grant focuses on the role of chloride ion channels in cardiovascular disease. The objective of the Nevada Transgenic Center is to make transgenic technology available to both COBRE and outside investigators not trained in the technical details of mammalian embryo manipulation, embryonic stem cells, animal breeding or microinjection. The core consists of three components. Firstly, a gene targeting center that provides a complete ES cell culture and targeting service. Secondly a microinjection center, for both fertilized eggs and blastocyst injections. Thirdly, an animal service that provides animals and embryos for the center, performs embryo transfers, and has responsibility for managing transgenic founders and colonies. Facilities and expertise for freezing sperm, fertilized eggs, blastocysts and rederivation of mouse lines by IVF and embryo transfer are available. In addition, the core personnel oversee the running of colonies of transgenic mice brought into the center where necessary. Technology to generate null, tissue-specific (cre/lox) or inducible (tetracycline) knockout mice are currently employed.
Our first successful germ line chimera was produced in Jan, 2002. Since then we have produced chimera lines targeting two genes using tissue-specific (cre/lox) targeting constructs developed at UNR. Two of these chimeric lines as well as one total knockout line show germ line
transmission.
The Nevada Transgenic Center has staff with a combined 30 years of experience in the production of gene targeting and over-expressing constructs, mouse embryonic stem cell manipulation, microinjection, mouse genotyping and breeding. New projects are welcome from all interested investigators. For further information please contact the Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Telephone 775-784-6956.
The UNR Transgenic Center strictly adheres to all guidelines set by NIH in the care and use of animals. Our center has been approved by AALAC.
We are maintaining 23 mouse strains including knockout mice and mice derived from pronuclei injections for COBRE and non-COBRE investigators. Over 4500 mice have been genotyped. We are currently working on producing and microinjecting 3 new targeted cell lines and 2 new constructs for pronuclei injections.
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http://www.medicine.nevada.edu/dept/pharmacology/transgenic/default.asp
| Last Modified: November 20, 2006 |
