Lecture 29: Using mice as a model organism

(version 5 October, 1999)

Why the mouse?

1. Extensive similarity to humans
2. Numerous experimental advantages
            e.g., (i) large collection of existing mutants



e.g., (ii) ability to make mutations to order:

Production of ES cells and injection into blastocyst to make a chimeric mouse.



(Figure 25-28)

Knocking out the gene of interest

Use (a) neomycin to select for the knockout, and
(b) gancyclovir to select for homologous recombination.

Alteration of the DNA and production of mutant mice:



(Figure 15-29)