If you wish to use reagents that the Core has available for distribution, you will need to complete material transfer agreements . A transgenic mouse has a transgene in addition to its normal complement of genes. A transgene is an artificial gene cloned in the lab by recombinant DNA technology and microinjected into fertilized mouse eggs. Eggs are transferred into foster mothers for gestation. Transgenic progeny are bred to produce a line.
Transgenes integrate randomly into chromosomal DNA and are transmitted as a Mendelian trait.
The Core is available for consultation on all phases of transgenic research. The investigator designs and clones the transgene then a genotyping assay with single gene copy sensitivity is developed, usually PCR based. In addition a genotyping assay that detects an endogenous single copy gene is established. The assays for the transgene and the endogenous gene are used to test all potential transgenic founder mice. The combination of assays eliminates both false negatives and false positive mis-identifications.